LS Swap Day 8? - One Step Forward Two Steps Back is Normal Right?

[Bandit]

I’m on vacation until the end of the year now so work has started once again on the LS swap of my Trans Am. If you recall from last time, a series of unfortunate events has led me to replace essentially my entire brake system.

Today I removed the old calipers and got new fronts installed. It was super simple all things considered. I am keeping old rotors since they’re fine and my pads only had 2000 miles on them tops. Cant put rear calipers on until a package of brackets comes in the mail, it should have been here days ago but that’s the USPS for you these days.

I also installed the new vacuum booster. It’s a traditional 11” booster found on most F bodies rather than the 1981 only compact 3rd Gen style that came from the factory. Fit fairly well but my firewall studs were slightly off dimensionally compared to the bracket, nothing drilling bigger holes in the booster bracket couldn’t solve. It really spiffs up the engine bay compared to the old unit.

At this point I checked Jegs for a photo of how the booster assembly was suppose to go together and I realized I ordered the wrong part. I accidentally ordered a master cylinder and proportioning valve for a Disc/Drum car and not the Disc/Disc version I required. Cant return the $200 kit since I drilled the booster bracket holes out. So now I’ve got a new master cylinder and valve coming in, but that’s another mess up that I really didn’t feel like opening my wallet for. At least GM parts are relatively cheap. Suppose I should try and sell the unneeded parts since I will likely never own a GM car with front disc rear drums.

I wrapped up the day trying to remove the remainder of the parking brake cable that the previous owner cut. The thing was so rusted I had to use the universal wrench (grinder lol) to remove the parts.

Tomorrow I’ll try to run the new brake lines and get the new parking brake cable in. I should have the new brake parts by Saturday.

[CB]

Progress is progress?

Also, do you have a tag for the build?

EDIT: they just showed up. Weird.

[Bandit]

@cb I’ve been tagging each post with Trans Am, LS Swap, and Bandit. Not sure how to actually search for tags also can’t see the tags listed on the mobile platform yet.

[CB]

@bandit Yep, they're on there. Sometimes tags don't show up immediately I guess?

[jminer]

@bandit said in LS Swap Day 8? - One Step Forward Two Steps Back is Normal Right?:

@cb I’ve been tagging each post with Trans Am, LS Swap, and Bandit. Not sure how to actually search for tags also can’t see the tags listed on the mobile platform yet.

To search tags slick the tags icon up top. It'll list tags by most used but also has a search box.

[Bandit]

@jminer thank you!

[MM54]

Progress is progress! The new brakes will be worthwhile with the fresh engine.

[pos_camaro]

I'm too wimpy to venture out to do work in the cold garage so I'm loving the updates! It's almost like getting stuff done on the Camaro. Almost. At least the parts look familiar. It's too bad about the master cylinder. We've all been there and it sucks.

[Bandit]

@pos_camaro said in LS Swap Day 8? - One Step Forward Two Steps Back is Normal Right?:

I'm too wimpy to venture out to do work in the cold garage so I'm loving the updates! It's almost like getting stuff done on the Camaro. Almost. At least the parts look familiar. It's too bad about the master cylinder. We've all been there and it sucks.

I don’t mind working in the cold, I’ve got a garage coat and some warm mechanics gloves. It does suck for curing spray paint though. Need a master cylinder and proportioning valve? Hahaha

[pos_camaro]

@bandit That's the one I'd need but that was one of the first parts I replaced on the thing. The brakes were pretty much nonexistent at the time. Now it will eventually stop.