Baer Brakes

[GM TURBO]

Ok...

I have been thinking of things I want to add to the Ty to make it better. I am dropping the back with new leaf springs - it will probably 3 inches since I can't find a 2 inch drop spring - only blocks.

Rear Sway Bar - I don't know what manufacturer I will use yet - but it is a plan. I will also be getting poly sway bar bushings for the front as well. Throw in a front end rebuild and I think all should be solid up front. New shocks - still doing homework on that one. Slap on a set of 18 inch wheels and I think the handling will be pretty decent for a brick.

I also have the go fast plans as well but those are more foggy. I have to see if my motor needs rebuilt :smile:

I have been toying with the rear disc conversion. Obviously it isn't needed but I would like to be able to play on a road course - or maybe curvy roads that appear like a road course. Has anyone done the Baer rear conversion? Likes & dislikes? Did you do the fronts as well? Is it even worth the money or is it a waste.

And why in the hell is the 12 inch setup cheaper then the 13 inch setup? I was looking at the prices on http://www.sytyarchives.com and it was considerably cheaper to go to the big set - seems like a no brainer to me considering new wheels are already in the works.

Thanks

 

[ParTyBoy]

Hey Dave... You still buying my wheels??
haha..'

Go with the ST sway bar.. has the best fit... especially if you plan to drop the rear... Can get this from RD Enterprises..
1-800-683-2890..talk to daryl if he's still around... Got him to give the syty list a price at around $110-$115 last October...

Have both the front and rear Baer setup... just a word for the wise...if you plan on doing the rear setup.. you can't use 2" drop blocks... parking cable will come out directly level w/ the rear leaf springs... looked into all possibilities to make it work w/ the blocks... won't happen..
Also you may need harmonic dampeners on the rear brakes... If you hear an audible shriek when slowing at slow speeds.. you'll know you need it...

Overall pretty good setup..
Main advantages are a larger surface.. and pads.. basically an 88-96 corvette setup adapted to fit our trucks...Increased braking. I know... when you're traveling at over 100 mph on the freeway and some d!ck decides to jump in front of you at last second... it'll sure help... Overall look to spend 8 hours labor on the front (Spindles need to be machined).. 4 on the rear... Have any tech questions call Rick Elam at Baer..
Good guy.. friend of Brandon's (Az SyTy)..

regarding the 12" to 13" cost ratio...

reason the 12" setup costs more than the 13" setup is because Baer takes a 13" rotor and has to machine it down an inch... So in essence you're paying an hours worth of labor to get the 2 - 12" rotors..

Hope this helps...
Any more questions let me know...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Forge on 2001-10-29 18:33 ]</font>

 

[Lt250suzuk]

Hi, on the suspension. I am making a new rear suspension kit that should be released next week. This will be a bolt on upgrade to work with the rear leaf springs and shocks. I will be offering Koni adjustable shocks for the rear as combo with the kit for those who want the best adjustable bolt on shock for our trucks. Price is not set in stone yet but the kit should be around 400.00 and the combo be 580.00. These are estimate prices though and may change.

On the brakes, I am developing a new brake kit with Wilwood brake components. This kit will have a 6 piston front calipers and 4 piston rear calipers. You will have your choice or 12 or 13in rotors in the front and 12in in the rear. One of the main advantages of this kit is the huge weight savings. These are very light calipers and rotors. The rear caliper weights 2.5lbs each the front weights only 3.75lbs each. These will be matched to light weight rotors and brackets, so we can save a lot of unsprung weight. Please email or call for more information, thank you.

 

[GM TURBO]

Al,

Now you are working close to the poor man's price range :wink: We will talk.

 

[Lt250suzuk]

Well I am bringing out a bunch of products for our trucks in 200.00-500.00 dollar range. They will be very nice and a good addition to any truck. I also realize that not everyone can afford or wants to weld anything on there truck so I decided to something in between. This will still be very good quality and if you can install a sway bar you can install this kit. Very nice stuff.

 

[flintdawg]

hell yeah...you are definetly in the right price range keep us posted on when you get these things and when you have for sure prices.....this sounds awesome.

 

[NoClone]

You mentioned a "bunch of products". What else are you developing for these trucks. I just bought a Syclone a few months ago and have been looking for good bolt-ons for the truck (my mechanics expertise is limited).

What would be cool is a better cold air intake kit. I hear the ATR sux you have to buy two kits essentially and doesn't fit all that well. Also the Kenne Bell setup is made with second rate parts and just plain looks cheap. Maybe I'll just relocate the battery to the bed and bolt on an airbox for a honda or something that will fit. But I guess that's for another post.

 

[GM TURBO]

Al,

I was talking to Merk last night and he mentioned the tie-rod kit you have developed. What is the story?

With this new rear setup will a rear sway bar be needed. I am guessing it will help but is it really needed. Do you offer any sway bars? Will your rear kit lower the back of the truck at all. I want to do that for appearance as well as performance gains.

 

[Lt250suzuk]

Well here is a list of products I am currently working on:

New bolt on rear suspension kit(meant to work with a good rear sway bar and good shocks)
New chromoly tierods price 200.00(ready for sale)
Wilwood brake kit front and rear
AP racing brake kit front and rear
new chromoly steering system
aluminum drive shaft, propshaft, halfshafts
composite matrix drive shaft, propshaft and halfshafts. (much lighter and stronger than even the aluminum)
This is about if for the time being. Oh yeah frame bracing as well.

If you have questions on any of the products please email or call. Thank you

 

[myclone]

Damn Al... I got a chubster just reading that list!!! Composite half shafts!!!??? OH HE-ALE YEAH!!!

Dave,

I had the 12" Baers front and rear on my first sy. I bought it that way and kick myself each time I think about it for letting them go with the truck..

They were down right wicked. I tested them out by hammering them about a dozen times from ~100mph to 0 back to back. I never could get em to even start to fade. A stock braked Sy feels like it doesnt have any brakes in comparison. I feel like I should open the door and start dragging my ass when Im trying to stop at the track..

I could hold 15psi with em too. Did it twice and it just spun the tires hard so I never bothered to try it anymore. Looks cool but slow....

Wish I had put them on myself so I could give you the pros and cons of the install but all I can do is tell ya you'll love'em the first time you stand on the binders hard.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: myclone on 2001-10-31 00:31 ]</font>

 

[GM TURBO]

myclone - would you say it is worth the $1700 investment?

Al - how much are you looking at for your brake system front & rear. Some of those other things sound pretty cool to. Frame Bracing?

 

[Lt250suzuk]

I am not sure on the price yet. Should be very competitive with the baer system. This is for the wilwood kit. The AP racing kit will be a lot more. I should know what an exact price is later this week or early next week. On the frame bracing, this will be bolt in products to help eliminate the twisting in the frame. Should be very inexpensive peices. Thanks.

 

[myclone]

On 2001-10-31 07:39, GM TURBO wrote:
myclone - would you say it is worth the $1700 investment?

I would say so. The prev owner of my old Sy (#1956) "liked" the factory wheels so thats why the smaller set up was installed(fits with factory wheels).

If you can locate someone who has a SyTy in your area that will take you for a ride or let you drive it you will be amazed at the diff. I know when I bough my present Sy I thought something was wrong with the brakes at first as I was used to the other one with Baers. World of diff.

 

[bdubb]

dave, we have two truck in the area with baers. one with the stock wheels, one with the bigger brakes.

 

[InvisiBill]

Dave, this thread has more info on Al's tie rods.

 

[GM TURBO]

Awesome,

Thanks - sure is a pretty thing to have hidden under the truck - maybe I will just buy one and mount it on the dash.

 

[V]

On 2001-10-31 08:22, Lt250suzuk wrote:
...On the frame bracing, this will be bolt in products to help eliminate the twisting in the frame. Should be very inexpensive peices. Thanks.

About a year ago, I remember a ISTA thread about using the frame brace from the '94 SS truck (wish I had a part number). I think the factory price was under $50. Al, can you share more info on your brace? Thanks.

 

[Sy#1367]

Will the willwood be better than the baer brake kit and do they mount about the same.

 

[Lt250suzuk]

Yes they work very similar, with similar stopping power. But the Wilwoods will weight about 1/4 of what the Baer weights. This is the main advantage of the wilwoods. They will mount somewhat similar. If you have other questions please email or call. Thank you.

 

[rockvillespeed]

lt, hi
i am very interested in some of these noted items - especially frame bracing.
what are u building, and what kinda reductions in deflection are we talking?
weld in or bolt?
how soon available? - i want em. bad.