1964-72 Pontiac GTO, LeMans, Tempest Brake Parts
Muscle-car builds can call for anything from an OEM-style front disc setup to larger rotors, a lower stance, or four-wheel discs. This collection covers 1964-72 Pontiac GTO, LeMans, and Tempest models with disc conversions, power-assist systems, rear brake kits, master cylinders, and the hydraulic components needed to complete the setup.
Brake Options for 1964-72 Pontiac GTO, LeMans and Tempest
The same GTO, LeMans, or Tempest can be built around very different braking personalities. One may keep its factory spindle and simply gain front discs, another may sit two inches lower, and a third may need 13-inch brakes behind larger wheels.
That contrast is visible within the front brake systems themselves. OEM-spindle conversions keep the suspension arrangement familiar, modular drop-spindle kits combine braking with stance, and the larger C4 Corvette-style packages bring aluminum hubs and dual-piston calipers into the equation.
Once the front setup becomes more aggressive, the rest of the car does not automatically follow the same specification. A GM 10-bolt, 12-bolt, or swapped Ford 9-inch rear end creates its own brake requirements, while the 1964-66 and 1967-72 year split changes the available power-booster configurations.
So the collection is less about one “correct” GTO brake upgrade and more about how far the individual build has moved from its original configuration—from a straightforward front-disc conversion to a lowered, four-wheel-disc, performance-oriented setup.
FAQ
How do I choose brake parts for my 1964-72 Pontiac GTO, LeMans, or Tempest?
Start with the exact year and identify the brakes and suspension currently installed. Check whether the car has OEM or drop spindles, its front and rear brake type, rear-end configuration, wheel size, master cylinder, and manual or power assist. If the car has already been modified, select components according to its current configuration rather than assuming everything remains factory original.
Can I convert my Pontiac GTO to front disc brakes while keeping OEM spindles?
Yes. POL offers a 1964-72 GTO, LeMans, and Tempest conversion designed around OEM spindles. It uses 11-inch rotors with a 5 x 4.75-inch bolt pattern. OEM-type disc brake spindles, brackets, dust shields, and steering arms are also available separately for builds that do not require a complete kit.
Should I choose OEM-style or 2-inch drop spindles?
Choose according to the desired ride height and existing front suspension. An OEM-style configuration allows you to address the brakes without using a drop spindle, while POL's 2-inch drop-spindle conversions combine front discs with a lower stance. Standard, OEM-style, modular, and BlackOut drop-spindle options are represented, so compare the specifications of the exact kit before ordering.
When should I consider a 13-inch big brake kit?
A 13-inch system provides a larger performance-oriented front brake package than the standard 11-inch conversions. POL's kit uses C4 Corvette-style rotors, dual-piston aluminum calipers, and aluminum hubs. A 13-inch version with 2-inch drop spindles is also available. The larger package requires additional wheel clearance, with the drop-spindle version specifying 17-inch or larger wheels.
What power brake booster options are available for a 1964-72 GTO?
POL divides its standard vehicle-specific power booster kits into 1964-66 and 1967-72 applications. BlackOut and chrome booster packages are also available, including configurations with POL or Wilwood master cylinders. Hydropower hydraulic assist provides another option for builds where hydraulic assistance is preferred over a conventional vacuum booster.
Which rear disc brake conversion fits my GTO, LeMans, or Tempest?
Choose according to the rear end actually installed in the car. POL offers 11- and 12-inch conversions for compatible GM 10- and 12-bolt rear ends as well as systems for Ford 9-inch rear ends. Wilwood parking-brake conversions are available for several axle configurations. Confirm the housing end, bearing configuration, axle offset, bolt pattern, and wheel clearance before ordering.
What should I check before ordering a complete GTO brake setup?
Confirm the exact year, spindle type, desired ride height, wheel size and clearance, front and rear brakes, rear-end configuration, master cylinder, proportioning system, and type of brake assist. Pay particular attention to wheel requirements when considering the larger 13-inch systems and verify whether the selected kit is designed around OEM, OEM-style drop, or modular drop spindles.