Anyone knwo if there are aluminum brake drums for Astro's

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markmitchinnh
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Anyone knwo if there are aluminum brake drums for Astro's

Post by markmitchinnh »

Back a few years I built a 1986 Buick Regal and it came stock with aluminum brake drums, I found out that many GM vehicles had these on them. But I wonder if they were ever offered on any GM vehicles with the same bolt pattern as our vans?
Anyone know anything on this subject?
Recently bought a 1989 Astro RS from Florida. Replaced stock engine witha 1997 5.7 vortec with TBI and replaced transmission with rebuilt 700R4 with mild shift kit.
Bought on Monday the 16th of April 2012

Kidhauler
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Re: Anyone knwo if there are aluminum brake drums for Astro'

Post by Kidhauler »

Due to the weight of the van and with the fact it can tow 5000+lbs I would worry about them exploding under load. For the 10 pounds you might save I wouldn't try it.
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Mr_Roboto
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Re: Anyone knwo if there are aluminum brake drums for Astro'

Post by Mr_Roboto »

My van comes into little or no weight more than a G-body, and dimensionally they are pretty much the same. Not worth it though, if you're going to do anything go to 11" drums and add a few lbs. Way worth it, my 9" swap got me the bigger brakes. Between that and disabling the RWABS by plugging the accumulator it brakes totally different than it did originally.

Topic author
markmitchinnh
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Re: Anyone knwo if there are aluminum brake drums for Astro'

Post by markmitchinnh »

I tired to get the necessary parts to add 11 inch drums on a van I had a few years ago and the backing plates are no longer available.
Recently bought a 1989 Astro RS from Florida. Replaced stock engine witha 1997 5.7 vortec with TBI and replaced transmission with rebuilt 700R4 with mild shift kit.
Bought on Monday the 16th of April 2012
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Smiliesafari
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Re: Anyone knwo if there are aluminum brake drums for Astro'

Post by Smiliesafari »

Mark........back in the 50's or maybe the early 60's some of the big GM cars had the aluminum drums. You might log onto some hotrod sites and ask. Those guys like them for the nostalgia effect.
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