I've been doing some research and the 2nd generation Camaros seem to have 3 different types of front brake calipers....


years...
1970-1976
1977
1978-1981


I know the 1978-1981 calipers have a smaller metric threaded banjo bolt port, but what is the difference between the 1970-76 and the 1977 calipers? The casting seems to be different, but other than that does anyone know if there are any other differences? I get conflicting information on whether the 1977's have metric or 7/16-20 banjo bolt ports like the older calipers? Does anyone know the weights of them? The 1977's visually look lighter, but some specs say they actually weigh more, other specs say they do weigh less. Does anybody know why they used different part # calipers in 1977?


I am using them for a stock car, I need 7/16-20 port size and the lightest stock caliper possible (some specs showed over a 1.5 lbs/ caliper difference between the 1970-76 and the 1977 calipers).


I appreciate any help that can be provided. thanks.

 

I wasn't aware of a difference? Most suppliers list them as '69-'77 front calipers, so I've always thought they were interchangeable. Do you have a link for the site that shows them to be different?

 

Aftermarket Auto Parts | CARDONE

Catalog - Raybestos Brakes

I wasn't aware of the difference before either. I think they are interchangeable, but the casting is a bit different. According to Cardone's tech line the 1977 calipers are lighter. Other than visually (the casting looks a bit different), I'm not sure there is any difference compared to the 1976 and older calipers.

 

Neither of the links took me to any specific part? Just took me to the site, and not to the items you're looking at.
If it's a case of aesthetics, then unless you're doing a concourse restoration I wouldn't worry about it.

 

They are just the general catalogue look-ups that show there are 3 different types of calipers for the gen 2 Camaros. It's not really a huge issue, I'm just going to get the casting #'s off the ones I have now and get the same ones. Which I think might end up being the 1977 style. I was just curious if anybody came across this issue before. I have a hunch GM lightened up their calipers (saved iron in the manufacturing) in 1977. Then they decided to switch to a metric banjo bolt thread in 1978 which required a new part #.

 

Difference must be very small, and I've never noticed it myself. The GM standard or metric calipers have been one of my favorite choices for disc brake conversions for years. I've used them on all sorts of older Chevys and hotrods for years. Just never looked close enough at them to notice a difference. Even the standard vs. metric visually look the same to me. But I know there's more than just a metric thread difference, as they take different brackets also to mount them, so hole spacing is slightly different.

 

There is very little difference between the calipers, at a glance all the calipers that took "52" pads look very similar. On the back of my car I have metric (80's Monte) calipers and pads, the rotors and backing plates are from a 4 wheel disc brake T/A.