Third Generation Chevy Camaro 1982 - 1992 Performance and Race Modifications

Camaro Performance Brake Systems and Accessories:

Improvements in braking are achieved by increasing the stability of the braking apparatus and by increasing the torque applied by the braking system.

Stability is improved by increasing the stiffness and rigidity of the system at all temperatures. Stiff and securely mounted calipers with low thermal distortion are required for good braking. Stability is also improved by balanced clamping pressure applied to the rotor and precise and controlled modulation of the brake actuation.
Camaro brake stability can be improved by:

upgrading to a performance brake system such as the Brembo "Firehawk" package which uses a caliper firmly mounted to the spindle. The rotors are "floating", unlike the stock GM system which uses floating calipers . The rotors do not allow rotational "floating". The stock GM caliper mounts allow for movement in too many directions.
using good brake lines which do not stretch or cause changes to the brake actuation.
using good brake fluid which does not boil or allow the transformation to a vapor state at operational temperatures. Use DOT 4 or 5 brake fluids.

The brake torque is the brake force which can be applied to the turning tire. This is improved by increasing the rotor diameter and friction. Increasing the rotor diameter will increase the moment arm of the system. Increased clamping forces will also increase the amount of torque which can be applied. Improvements in friction forces are achieved by changes to the brake pads or changes in force applied by the caliper. Brake friction can seriously degrade with temperature. This requires brake pads which can continue to provide friction at high temperatures without fading (i.e. Carbon-Metallic pads) and large rotors with adequate venting. Brake pads can be selected for their initial "grab", coefficient of friction, wear rate, temperature performance and noise.
Camaro brake torque can be improved by:

using performance brake pads.
using larger rotors
using vented cross-drilled and/or slotted rotors to allow gases generated from the pad to escape rather than resist the pressure being applied. Slotted rotors will allow brake dust to escape so that it doesn't interfere with the friction of the contact surface.
calipers with many pistons to provide even force over a large brake pad surface.

Light weight is desired to lower the unsprung weight of the suspension. This improves handling. (See Camarotech suspension and wheels)

Performance brake installations:
A brake package must be chosen which fits without interference within the wheel. Large rotors require mounting calipers further from the center and thus require wheels of a larger diameter to clear the caliper. i.e. The Brembo "Firehawk" system requires the use of 17 inch diameter wheels. Stock GM 16 inch wheels will not fit. See the Baer "fitments templates".

Brembo Brakes Brembo "Firehawk" brake installation for Third gen Camaros - front brakes
See our complete article on the "Firehawk" installation.

Wilwood Brakes Wilwood Disc brakes - master cylinders, pads, rotors, hats and calipers.
Camaros: [1967-1969], [1970-1992], [1993-1997]

Baer Brakes Baer: Performance rotors, calipers and brake assembly kits
Note Baer T4 four piston calipers use stock GM size pads and GM size caliper outer mould line. Available for Camaro Gen 1-4.
Baer "Extreme Plus" and "Pro Plus" kits (caliper, hub, rotor, lines, etc) are available for Camaro gen 1-4.

StopTech Brakes StopTech - Gen IV Camaro only
Fitment template

GM 1LE performance package: Available in 1988-1992 with PBR aluminum calipers.

Note that conversion of rear brakes from drum to disk may require the use of a new proportioning valve.

Brake Rotor Tech

The rotors need to dissipate alot of heat: Use a thick vented rotor. Thick so it can hold alot of heat and vented to dissipate the heat to the air.
Brake pads will generate gasses: Use a cross drilled rotor or grooved rotor so gasses can escape from between the pad and disk.
Brake pads will generate dust: Use a rotor with directional angled dust grooves which will shed the dust radially to the outer rim of the rotor as the rotor turns.
Note: If gasses generated by the heated pads and brake dust are allowed to collect between the pad and rotor, the braking effectiveness is diminished.
Rotor design examples and cross sectional cuts to reveal the rotor interior cooling passage design:

Curved Vanes Curved vane brake rotor

Pillar Vanes Pillar vane brake rotor

Straight Vanes StraightPillar vane brake rotor

Cross Drilled Cross drilled brake rotor

Slotted / Dust Grooved Slotted brake rotor

Rotor photos taken at the Brembo display at SEMA 2007.

Baer Inc.
3108 W Thomas Road
Suite 1201
Phoenix AZ 85017
(602)233-1411 Camaro Front Brakes:

Year Description Part # Fit Rotor Diameter # Pistons-Caliper

'67 - '69 Street 4301008 Agt 11.0" 2-PDC

Track 4301035 CgTX 13.0" 2-PDC

Extreme 4301083 DgTX 14.0" 6-Fixed

'70 - '81 Sport 4301090 Agm 12.0" 2-PDC

Track 4301041 BgmX 13.0" 2-PDC

Extreme 4301091 DmX 14.0" 6-Fixed

'82 - '92 Sport 4301088CORE AJTX 12.0" 2-PDC

Track 4301039CORE BJTX 13.0" 2-PDC

Extreme 4301089CORE DJTX 14.0" 6-Fixed

'93 - '97 Sport 4301009 B 12.0" 2-PDC

GT-Plus 4301001 C 13.0" 2-PDC

Extreme 4301011 D 14.0" 6-Fixed

* '67 - '69 for 2pc spindle. Also available for OEM disc spindles.
* '68 - '81 available for a dropped spindle as well as OEM.
Baer also has rear axle brake kits.

Russell Performance Products
(Division of Edelbrock)
Russell Brake Lines
2301 Dominguez Way
Torrance, CA 90501
(310)781-2222

Stainless Braided Camaro Brake Lines. Part #'s:
#692040: Camaro/Firebird 1982 to 1983 2 Front/Disc and one rear
#692050: Camaro/Firebird 1984 to 1992 2 Front/Disc and one rear

These redesigned, stainless steel braid with teflon inner liner brake lines, are DOT approved and are immensely improved over the previous generation of Russell brake lines. No longer are the end fittings of a two piece design which possessed a radical decrease in cross sectional area introducing a stress concentration which could lead to failure. These new brake lines maintain rigidity and material at the perimeter eliminating the stress concentration thus creating a newer, safer and more durable brake line.
Russell parts required to assemble your own rear brake line:

#656012: Endura No. 3 9" straight stainless braided line
#656022: Endura No. 3 12" straight stainless braided line
#656302: Endura No. 3 13" straight stainless braided line
#656032: Endura No. 3 15" straight stainless braided line
#656242: Endura No. 3 16" straight stainless braided line
#656042: Endura No. 3 18" straight stainless braided line
#656222: Endura No. 3 20" straight stainless braided line
#640471: 10mm Banjo (3/8") to straight -3 fitting
#640511: 10mm Banjo (3/8") to 35 degree bend -3 fitting
#641291: -3 3/8"-24 female with C-clip provision

See the Russell catalog [PDF] for a full listing of brake lines and fittings.

Links:

Brakes:
- Baer.com - brake kits
- Brembo.com - Used by GM in the Pontiac Firebird "Firehawk" performance package.
- DBA: Disk Brakes Australia
- PBR: pbr/Performance - Calipers used by Baer. The dual piston aluminum calipers were also used by Chevrolet for the 1LE performance package (1988-1992 part #'s 10132827 / 10132828) with 11.86" front rotors.
- RaceTechnologies.com (Brembo)
- Red Devil Brakes - Titanium brake calipers and rotors. Racing hats and rotors. None for the stock Camaro.
- Stainless Steel Brakes - modified stock
- Stoptech - Gen IV Camaro only
- Wilwood - Performance calipers, rotors, pads
- US Brake - Calipers, performance rotors, ...
- BMR - Strange engineering front brake kits and Aerospace components drag brake kits
Brake Pads:
- Performance Friction: Carbon-metallic and ceramic brake pads. Rotor and caliper upgrades
- Raybestos - street pads
- Mr Gasket: Hurst
- Brake Pad Terms
Brake lines:
- Goodridge - colorflex performance stainless brake lines and brake line kits available in multiple colors.
- Russell - street legal brake lines
- ClassicTube.com
- InlineTube.com: brake and fuel lines
Brake rotors:
- Power Stop Rotors: Cross drilled, slotted and cross slotted
- Baer: DecelaRotors
Proportioning Valves:
- Wilwood: Adjustable proportioning valve
- Stainless Steel Brakes: Adjustable proportioning valve
Brake fluid:
Brake Lathes:
- Pro-Cut - on car brake lathe
Air Ducts
SPD: Skulte Performance Designs: Brake Duct Cooling Kits - front brake dust shield/duct kit
MP brakes: GM rear brake kits
ATS: American Touring Specialties: First gen Camaro aluminum front spindles and hubs.

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