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Third Generation GM F-Body Brake Upgrade – Spindle Bracket Design (5/9)

  • Project Introduction / Overview
  • Upgrade Option Measurements
  • FAQ
  • Part Numbers
  • Spindle Bracket Design
  • Making a Hub
  • Spindle Modification
  • Installation
  • Links
<– Previous Page (4/9): Part Numbers Next Page (6/9): Making a Hub –>

This page contains brackets needed to mount various brake setups to modified 82-92 F-Body front spindles.

 

1998-2002 Camaro \ Firebird LS1 Brakes
2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V OR 2010+ Fifth Generation Camaro Brembo

    
This bracket will allow a few combinations of calipers and routers to be mounted.  This works with a 1998-2002 Camaro / Firebird caliper with matching LS1 12-inch rotor.   Also the bracket works with 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V or 2010+ Camaro 4 piston Brembo brake calipers using a C6 Corvette Z06 14-inch rotor.  The LS1 and CTS-V calipers use 12mm mounting bolts and the Camaro calipers use 14mm mounting bolts so there are two hole sizes in the bracket file autocad to accommodate either caliper.  There are two seperate DXF files, one for each hole size.

For LS1 brake setups the bracket should be machined out of 5/16 inch thick steel and you can shim out the caliper with hardened steel washers as needed.  In some cases you can machine the bracket out of 3/8 steel but it all comes down to the tolerances of the rotor, caliper mounting bracket, caliper carrier, spindle, and hub you are using.  To be safe a 5/16 bracket will always work with washer shimming.

If you are doing a CTS-V brake setup the bracket should be machined out of 1/4 inch thick steel when using a standard hub or a 3/8 bracket with the 1LE (HD) hub and add another 3/8 spacer to bring the bracket far enough out to shim the caliper on the center of the rotor.  I am not very comfortable with a 1/4 bracket thickness but have seen others use it on other brake swaps.  You will need to space the caliper out away from the bracket to center it on the rotor and to clear the lower spindle bolt.  Another option is to use a 5/16 bracket and shim the router out slightly with router shims.

When shimming the caliper use hardened steel washers so they do not compress and a feeler gauge to center the caliper on the rotor.

Holes labeled “C” are where the caliper mounts, holes labeled “S” are where the bracket mounts to the spindle

LS1 or Cadillac CTS-V or 2010+ Camaro 4-piston Front Brembo Brake Bracket (PDF File)
LS1 or Cadillac CTS-V or 2010+ Camaro 4-piston Front Brembo Brake Bracket (AutoCAD File)
LS1 or Cadillac CTS-V Caliper Bracket (DXF File)
2010+ Camaro Brembo Caliper Bracket (DXF File)

 

Corvette 1988-1996 C4 HD & Non-HD Setups

GM Third Gen. F-Body to Corvette C4 Spindle Bracket

The C4 12-inch and 13-inch HD setups use the same bracket.  When using a C4-HD (13 inch) brake setup this bracket needs to be 1/2 thick to properly position the caliper mounting bracket.  I highly recommend having the bracket cut out of 3/8 inch steel and using two 1/8 inch shim or washers to space the caliper mounting bracket out to reduce sprung weight.  Bear uses 5/16 inch thick brackets so it would be safe to use that thickness also with a 3/16 inch shim or washer.
C4 Bracket with Dimensions (AutoCAD File)
C4 Bracket (AutoCAD Version 2000 File)
C4 Bracket (AutoCAD Version 2005 File)
C4 Bracket (DXF File)
C4 Bracket (PDF File)

 

 Corvette C5 & C6 Brakes

GM Third Gen. F-Body to Corvette C5 Spindle Bracket

This bracket will work for all C5 brake, C6 Std JL9 (12.8″ rotor), and C6 J55 Z51 (13.19″ rotor) setups.  This bracket also fits RaceCrafts 2″ drop spindles.  This bracket will not work with C6 Z06 or ZR1 brakes.  The bracket should be 1/2″ thick.
C5 & C6 Bracket (AutoCAD File) this bracket was put into CAD by Thirdgen.org member Vexter
C5 & C6 Bracket (DXF File)
C5 & C6 Bracket (PDF File, legal paper size)

 

1998-2002 Camaro / Firebird F-Body “LS1” Brakes (OLD DESIGN)

GM Third Gen. F-Body to Late Fourth Gen. F-Body “LS1” Spindle Bracket

It is highly recommended to use the new CTS-V \ LS1 bracket which works with both CTS-V and LS1 calipers.  The new design (see top of page) fixes a slight offset of the caliper mounting holes, if you use this bracket there can be some clearance issues with the caliper bore hitting the bracket and the caliper not sitting center on the rotor.
(Holes labeled “C” are where the caliper mounts, holes labeled “S” are where the bracket mounts to the spindle)
The bracket should be cut out of 3/8 steel.
LS1 Bracket (AutoCAD DWG File)
LS1 Bracket (DXF File)
LS1 Bracket (PDF File)

 

Original 12-inch Baer Brakes Bracket

This bracket is designed to be used with a Baer brake caliper carrier (abutment bracket) .  From my research it seems Bear brakes used a corvette C4 13″ caliper carrier or similar.  It may be possible to use the 13″ C4 caliper with 12 inch rotors but has not been tested.
Stock Baer Brakes Bracket (AutoCAD File)
Stock Baer Brakes Bracket (PDF File)

 

Viewing and Printing Files:

You can download a free autocad .dwg fileviewer here; Autodesk Design Review and AutoDesk TrueView.  AutoDesk design review software is very useful if you are making the brackets by hand as the software lets you setup and scale your printer so the brackets will print out 1:1.  If you are using the PDF to print a properly scaled bracket you will need to scale the bracket in the print options until the scale check lines measure exactly 6 inches.

 

License:

All brackets are released under Creative Commons ShareAlike, CC BY-SA, which means you are free to copy, distribute, modify, transmit, and even sell my work as long as you credit me and license your new creations under the identical terms.
Creative Commons License
This work by Luke Skaff, lukeskaff.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Disclaimer:
I specifically disclaim liability for use of the brackets I designed on vehicles used on public roadways or off road by user, and such use is entirely at the user’s own risk.  User agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold me harmless from and against any and all claims arising out of use of the brackets in any applications by user.

Use these brackets at your own risk.

<– Previous Page (4/9): Part Numbers Next Page (6/9): Making a Hub –>

Page created: January 2006
Page content last updated: October 2012

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Comments

  1. Nick says

    April 19, 2012 at 8:47 am

    The CTS bracket is confusing but we will see if it works. The LS1 and CTS brackets have the holes in the same location. Crossing my fingers.

    Reply
    • Luke Skaff says

      May 3, 2012 at 9:13 pm

      That is correct, the LS1 bracket has the same caliper mounting position. The CTS-V calipers are a direct bolt-on on fourth gen LS1 cars: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/1117381-super-cheap-big-brake-kit-info.html

      The LS1 and CTS-V brackets should be tweaked a bit, the holes are a bit off center line from the center point of the spindle, where the hub and router mounts. I need to get another bracket cut before I post the new bracket design.

      Reply
      • Nick says

        June 24, 2012 at 11:07 am

        It may be the spindle i am using (91 TA) but for proper caliper abutment bracket alignment front to back on the rotor (not center to center), the top spindle bolt hole needs to move.

        Reply
        • Luke Skaff says

          June 24, 2012 at 3:23 pm

          I have since redesigned the bracket to fix this issue, I have not yet posted it on this site but shoot me an email if you want to try it out.

          Reply
          • Aaron says

            September 5, 2013 at 10:19 am

            Do you think you could post the improved LS style brake brackets to your site? I have followed your post on Third Gen but was unclear as to which design improvement was which.

            Reply
            • Luke Skaff says

              September 9, 2013 at 3:04 pm

              The first bracket is the reworked bracket for LS1, camaro brembo, and CTS-V caliper. Enjoy!

              Reply
          • Joe Debono says

            August 7, 2019 at 10:55 am

            hello

            what are the chances that you have a bracket deign that will work on a 1970-1981 camaro firebird. I am in possession of brembo front and rear disk brakes from a 2010 camaro

            Reply
  2. Ray Lacy says

    August 13, 2012 at 12:10 am

    Luke, you are my hero. I have been looking for a bracket that will fit C6 brakes to the racecraft 2″ drop spindles on my 88 IROC-Z. Thanks!

    You have a beautiful 89 IROC-Z.

    Reply
    • Guy says

      September 21, 2012 at 2:12 am

      Luke,
      does the C4 HD set up work with the Racecraft 2″ drop spindles?
      Thanks.
      Guy.

      Reply
      • Luke Skaff says

        October 23, 2012 at 6:47 pm

        The only bracket that works with the racecraft drop spindles is the C5 & C6 bracket

        Reply
  3. Guy says

    September 21, 2012 at 2:13 am

    Fantastic info.!

    Reply
  4. GM Brakes says

    January 12, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Have you figured out the brackets for the new ZL1 Brake kit?

    http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/2012/12/20/tis-the-season-to-be-customizing/

    I’m wondering, since the ZL1 brake kit retro fits to the 2010 Camaro, and since your diagram is for the 2010+ Camaro, I’m assuming that’s the right bracket right?

    Reply
    • Luke Skaff says

      January 13, 2013 at 4:02 pm

      If these calipers mount on the factory 5’th gen spindle, which they appear to do, then my CTS-V \ Bemebo Camaro \ LS1 bracket should work for a thirdgen. You will need some huge wheels though.

      Reply
  5. wagzilla says

    March 12, 2013 at 11:57 am

    Hi I have C-4 covette 88 to96 I would like to maybe put on 2010 camro brembo bake set up. I have 18inch wheels so space is not a problem you can see my build on google wagzilla and hit images it going on a 1957 nomad

    thanks for your time
    James

    Reply
  6. James says

    October 15, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Which holes on the C5 brackets are tapped and which are clearance if any? I am about to make a set at work and cant seem to find a decent c5 swap how to.

    Thanks

    James

    Reply
    • Luke Skaff says

      October 19, 2013 at 1:23 am

      None of the holes are taped in the C5\C6 bracket. Two bolts go through the bracket into the spindle and two bolts go through the other side of the bracket into the caliper carrier (abutment bracket).

      Reply
      • James says

        October 20, 2013 at 1:24 pm

        Awesome, I made them today and so far the fitment seems perfect! I just need to bring the cut down hubs into work and modify the spindle!

        Thanks a TON!

        Reply
  7. Brian Deakins says

    December 28, 2013 at 9:35 am

    Hello I am looking to upgrade my 55 Chevy front brakes I know I will have to make caliper mounting brackets, but I am wondering if the 13 inch part will work on my stock hub? Thanks for any help.

    Reply
  8. Harold says

    January 28, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I want to modify some 91 camaro spindles so I can use C5 calipers on them. I understand what needs to be done. What I’m still unsure of is that the article says “use the caliper mounting bracket (1) as a template to cut away this portion of the OEM spindle”. What does “(1)” refer to as I don’t see a caliper mounting bracket design on the website that runs straight across from one hole to the other on the spindle? I still don’t know how far away the cut line should be in relation to the centerline of the holes in the spindle. If someone can explain this to me or provide a printable template that I can use to allow me to see exactly where the cut line should be that would be great.

    Reply
  9. Jon says

    August 3, 2014 at 8:20 am

    I’m buying a complete bolt on C5 brake package. I have C5 wheels on my Trans Am. What is the smallest spacer I can use?

    Reply
  10. Todd Contino says

    February 5, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    could you please elaborate on the first bracket….i do plan on using the cts-v calipers and i will be using standard hubs (non 1LE). is this saying i ONLY need the 1/4 steel bracket? and the 1LE hub needs a 3/8 spacer? will i have to shim using the bracket or the calipers or the rotor if i’m using the standard hub?

    Reply
  11. dale vaters says

    September 17, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    I have a 1991 z28 standard break package .I want to upgrade to the latest cts-v 6 pistion front and 4 piston rear break system .what is the best way to go about this conversion or is it even possible

    Reply
  12. Aaron Edwards says

    September 28, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Would like to uprgrade 89 iroc standard front brakes to ls1 Camaro front brakes. Could you tell me what is needed would like to go get junk yard calipers.

    Thanks

    Reply
  13. Nik Cooper says

    April 28, 2016 at 7:52 am

    Hi, first thank you for all the great info on your site, it’s been a great help. Second for the C5/C6 bracket design it says the material should be 1/2″ plate. That seems really excessive. Is this correct?
    Thanks

    Reply
  14. Anthony says

    September 12, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    You can make these with 6061-T6 aluminum as well, did some FEA and Fatigue analysis with 5/16 dimensions.

    Reply
    • Anthony says

      September 12, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      The new LS1 bracket that is. Did not check others.

      Reply
    • Anthony says

      September 12, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      Conditions are as follows, 3200 lbs car, 2g’s braking force, 26″ wheels, 12″ rotors, 80% front brake bias, 1.5 safety factor

      Reply
  15. javalle says

    October 3, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    I have 2012 brembo brake calipers and I want to install them on my 1998 trans am

    Reply
  16. javalle smith says

    October 3, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    I have 2012 Camaro brembo brakes and want to install on a 1998 trans am

    Reply
  17. Chris Mckenzie says

    February 20, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    Do you have actual measurements of the 2nd design ls1 brake bracket? Can’t seem to find them anywhere and would be much easier to calibrate the plasma cutter with known numbers aside from printing it and perhaps having the right measurements. Thnx

    Reply
  18. Justin Loos says

    October 3, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Great info! Thanks for sharing the CAD files as well. This is great stuff!

    I have some 2010+ Camaro rotors and calipers that I am planning to use on my 98+ S10 Blazer spindles. the center bore of the rotors is a few thousandths small, so some machining will be necessary to make them work. No problem…

    Have you ever seen information and/or dimensions on these spindles? Will your brackets fit? Do you know what is required?

    I will 3D print your brackets tonight and see if it is close…

    Reply
  19. Edvin López says

    February 10, 2018 at 9:17 pm

    Hi luke how are you. I have a 1998 trans am can you help me out. I wanna put brembo brakes 4 pistons calipers from a 2010 ford Mustang gt 500. Please help me on that. That.

    Reply
  20. Jeff Ruggeri says

    January 6, 2019 at 11:33 am

    I have a 1982 Cadillac race car with floating front calipers that I want to change to fixed 4 piston.Do you have any info on doing this? Thank you.

    Reply
  21. Brett says

    June 15, 2019 at 5:15 am

    Hi Luke, I’m from Australia, I have a race car which uses Corvette C4 calipers on 330x32mm rotors in a 16”rim. Can you tell me if the Cadillac ATS caliper will fit this size rotor or can the Camaro caliper go on a smaller rotor. If so, which bracket do you recommend, thanks and appreciate any assistance,

    Reply
  22. Joe Debono says

    September 13, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    Luke

    I bought a set of 2011 camaro brembo brakes.
    I have a set of aftermarket c5 spindles for my 1979 camaro.
    what bracket should i be using to adapt these brakes?

    Reply
  23. Ryan says

    December 9, 2019 at 7:11 am

    What are the dimensions of the holes on the C4HD brackets? Thank-you for your help and all your work on these.

    Reply
  24. Sebastian says

    March 14, 2020 at 9:21 am

    Hey Luke
    I looking for 2010 camaro rear Brembo bracket to conversion to 1998 camaro
    Long time lookin for it I can not find them

    Reply
  25. Richard says

    November 16, 2020 at 11:28 pm

    Do you have the 88-92 1le bracket measurements in a drawing?

    Reply
  26. Eddie says

    March 30, 2021 at 10:38 am

    How can I order some brackets?

    Reply
  27. Rickey says

    March 28, 2024 at 10:24 pm

    Would you have the cad file for the 1LE spindle brackets . Any help would be appreciated.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Big Brake Kit (front) where to buy? - S-10 Forum says:
    February 9, 2012 at 4:41 am

    […] Re: Big Brake Kit (front) where to buy? This link has some bracket designs, they're not for the s10 but still pretty neat. https://lukeskaff.com/?page_id=355 […]

    Reply

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