Today I started the 12" upgrade on my 77. This is not a kit, I do not believe in using kits. The spindles were removed from a donor Oldsmobile 98. After checking bearing numbers and measuring every angle and part of the of both spindles it will be a bolt in swap. To be sure I installed the Nova spindles on the Olds and they bolted in with no problems.
The difference in the spindles is the area the caliper bolts on. It is moved out to allow the larger rotor to be installed.
The stock Nova calipers, pads and hoses can be used they are the same part numbers as the ones on the Olds.
The rotors from the donor cars can not be used because of the wheel bolt pattern. However the 88-92 Camaro with the performance option (1LE) uses a 12" rotor, it is even drilled an slotted from the factory GM #18016035. It uses the same wheel bearings and seal as the donor car, so it will also be a bolt on. The wheel studs will need changed to the stock 7/16" thread from the metric 12 mm. The wheel stud holes in the rotor will have to be opened up slightly in order to convert to 7/16 studs. A 35/64 drill bit will do the job.
So the upgrade is started and using all GM parts that are easily available any where in case an emergency repair is needed while on the Power Tour or cruising the mountains over by Littlerock, CA.
Here are some photos of the Oldsmobile and Nova spindles.
The donor spindle from a 79 Olds 98 that I received for free.
The Nova spindle installed on the Olds just to check for fit. I spent a lot of time cleaning and painting these and now they will not be used.
The Olds spindle weighs less than the Nova one. It is a difference I can feel, but have not measured yet. The bosses where the ball joints and tie rod end attach are the same thickness, the casting itself has less mass, but that could have been a weight savings change. Since the Olds is a lot heavier car I am not concerned about the strength of the spindles.
Not all B body cars have the correct spindle for this swap. They were manufactured with 2 different sizes of outer wheel bearings.
Here is a list of possible donor cars but check the size of the outer bearing to be sure you are getting the correct part. The correct spindle uses a .850" bearing and the smaller spindle uses a .750". This is the diameter of the inner race where it fits on the spindle. The 1LE rotor will not fit the smaller spindle.
Buick Full Size- Le Sabre Wagon / Electra Wagon 1977-1994
Cadillac Fleetwood and Deville 1977-1984 Brougham and Fleetwood 1985-1994
Chevy full size 1977-1996 Caprice, Impala, Belair, Biscayne
Olds Delta 88, Delta 88 Wagon and Olds 98 1977-1992
Pontiac Full Size Bonneville, Catalina, Grandville 1977-1986
I anticipate the total cost of this upgrade to be the difference between the cost of a pair new Nova rotors and that of the 1LE performance rotors which is less than $100. All the other parts replaced would have been purchased anyway to rebuild the stock brakes and the spindles were free.
I will post photos as the upgrade progresses.
With the Cadillac rear discs already installed (click here for that thread) and these front discs the Nova should stop very well :hurray:
The difference in the spindles is the area the caliper bolts on. It is moved out to allow the larger rotor to be installed.
The stock Nova calipers, pads and hoses can be used they are the same part numbers as the ones on the Olds.
The rotors from the donor cars can not be used because of the wheel bolt pattern. However the 88-92 Camaro with the performance option (1LE) uses a 12" rotor, it is even drilled an slotted from the factory GM #18016035. It uses the same wheel bearings and seal as the donor car, so it will also be a bolt on. The wheel studs will need changed to the stock 7/16" thread from the metric 12 mm. The wheel stud holes in the rotor will have to be opened up slightly in order to convert to 7/16 studs. A 35/64 drill bit will do the job.
So the upgrade is started and using all GM parts that are easily available any where in case an emergency repair is needed while on the Power Tour or cruising the mountains over by Littlerock, CA.
Here are some photos of the Oldsmobile and Nova spindles.
The donor spindle from a 79 Olds 98 that I received for free.
The Nova spindle installed on the Olds just to check for fit. I spent a lot of time cleaning and painting these and now they will not be used.
The Olds spindle weighs less than the Nova one. It is a difference I can feel, but have not measured yet. The bosses where the ball joints and tie rod end attach are the same thickness, the casting itself has less mass, but that could have been a weight savings change. Since the Olds is a lot heavier car I am not concerned about the strength of the spindles.
Not all B body cars have the correct spindle for this swap. They were manufactured with 2 different sizes of outer wheel bearings.
Here is a list of possible donor cars but check the size of the outer bearing to be sure you are getting the correct part. The correct spindle uses a .850" bearing and the smaller spindle uses a .750". This is the diameter of the inner race where it fits on the spindle. The 1LE rotor will not fit the smaller spindle.
Buick Full Size- Le Sabre Wagon / Electra Wagon 1977-1994
Cadillac Fleetwood and Deville 1977-1984 Brougham and Fleetwood 1985-1994
Chevy full size 1977-1996 Caprice, Impala, Belair, Biscayne
Olds Delta 88, Delta 88 Wagon and Olds 98 1977-1992
Pontiac Full Size Bonneville, Catalina, Grandville 1977-1986
I anticipate the total cost of this upgrade to be the difference between the cost of a pair new Nova rotors and that of the 1LE performance rotors which is less than $100. All the other parts replaced would have been purchased anyway to rebuild the stock brakes and the spindles were free.
I will post photos as the upgrade progresses.
With the Cadillac rear discs already installed (click here for that thread) and these front discs the Nova should stop very well :hurray: