Brickwhite
Contributor
Posts: 306
Loc: Colorado
Reg: 09-05-19
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10-14-22 07:04 AM - Post#2848528
I was reading that you can do C3 REAR disks on a impala. I know about the fronts but REARS?
Anyone do the C3 Corvette Rears if so How and what was involved?
https://www.impalaforums.com/threads/1965-impala-b ...
Edited by brickwhite on 10-14-22 08:10 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Tony1963
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2072
Loc: Orlando Florida
Reg: 07-09-18
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10-15-22 04:07 AM - Post#2848574
In response to Brickwhite
I have never heard this but would like to know what parts you use. The C3 has independent rear suspension so I'm wondering what the brake caliper mounts to?
| People fear change because it threatens what they know, or what they claim to know. |
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mjc1
Senior Member
Posts: 1808
Loc: Burlington Ontario Canada
Reg: 09-15-04
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10-15-22 08:51 AM - Post#2848593
In response to Tony1963
A member over on CanadianPoncho did just this conversion on his 69 B Body years back, It seems pretty straightforward once you source everything.
I believe the caliper simply mounts to C3 front caliper brackets that mount to the axle flange.
Link
I Quote the CP member;
It's all Corvette(C3) along with '69 JL8 e-brake cables.
What really makes this work is the e-brake cable brackets that have to be welded to the frame. One in the front of the diff, the right side and the other on the rear of the left side of the diff.
Another thing is everything is RIGHT hand side. For instance-the e-brake cable levers to actuate the shoes, 2 Rights. The e-brake cable brackets that you see that hold the cable you can purchase them on the website"JL8brakes".
The inside of the axle flanges HAVE to be radiused(45degrees) to clear the ebrake shoes in order to re-install the c-clips. A real JL-8 axle has the inside edge turned as well. A lathe would do a real nice and more professional looking job.
As you can see from the pic's, the ebrake cable connector had to have 2 inches added to both of them. I also used my hard brake lines with a little coaxing to get them into the calipers.
And of course, Corvette wheel studs. When considering wheel and tire size, I found that 15x7 Torque Thrust, as they were designed with the Corvette brakes in mind in '65,and 225 70R15 tire as it has to go bottom first and it will slip into place up inside the wheel well. The car has to be jacked up by the body in order for the wheel to clear the massive calipers which sit on top of the rotor. No getting away from that my friends-believe me I tried every possible configuration and the only one that works is what you see here. I have done a lot of research and pre-fitting, and all I have to do is the front now.
I'm now looking for someone who is parting out '68-'82 'Vette as I need the front brake assembly to complete this transformation. No I haven't road tested it yet as I still have some more upgrades I want to do to the 'Chief to make it the only one on the planet like it!!!
I hope all this helps for those who feel brave enough to make such a change to their classic 'B' body. Any questions please feel free to contact me as I may have forgotten something which I'm pretty sure I have. Memory isn't as good as it once was, so please bear with me. Thanks
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Brickwhite
Contributor
Posts: 306
Loc: Colorado
Reg: 09-05-19
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11-29-22 01:21 PM - Post#2850707
In response to mjc1
update from another forum on those... C3 rear brakes can be fitted.
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 DHMelton
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 163
Loc: Central Arizona
Reg: 04-10-22
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11-29-22 02:00 PM - Post#2850708
In response to Brickwhite
I am late to the party, but what are you using for front discs brake if C3 rears are used?
The person who restored my car used what looks like ~1973 Camaro front brakes from what is probably a Master power brakes conversion kit, with dual master cyl and typical brass proportioning valve.
Doug
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 toro455
"7th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 945
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 06-15-02
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11-29-22 02:44 PM - Post#2850712
In response to DHMelton
Doug,
I ended-up using the 69-70 style disk brakes on my 1968. I had a donor complete set from a 1969 but one of the spindles had damage in the bearing area. That made me realize that the 69-82 Corvette spindles are the same as the 69-70 Impala. The caliper bracket and steering arm bolt-on to the spindle so that really creates a lot of opportunity. I also ended-up using the 69-82 Corvette hubs and rotors on the front of my car. I needed new rotors and at the time those were nearly impossible to find. There's a sticky on that topic now in the 67-70 section of the forum for the 69-70 rotor. My car is still not together but I wouldn't change what I did because it seems to have worked so well. Even the 69-70 Impala original backing plates worked.
Anyway my point is that I was able to use a lot from the C2 and I'm pretty certain I've seen upgrades for the C2 to newer generation Corvette parts so I suspect most of those conversions would work on our cars with not a lot of effort.
On the rears I understand the rear disks for aesthetics but nothing seems to beat drum brakes for reliability. Not many of us are towing so in my mind I wouldn't rush to disk rear even if everything was 100% bolt-on. Cool yes but, on a GM car and given a choice, I'll take rear drums every time.
Scott
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Brickwhite
Contributor
Posts: 306
Loc: Colorado
Reg: 09-05-19
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11-30-22 08:55 AM - Post#2850738
In response to toro455
C3 Vette front disks!
my post on it here:
https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?t...
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DHMelton
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 163
Loc: Central Arizona
Reg: 04-10-22
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12-01-22 08:26 AM - Post#2850766
In response to Brickwhite
The spindle portion looks longer than the stock spindle.
Does it push the front wheel out any, making the front track wider?
Doug
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