Just a question for those older and wiser than I as I have very little experience with drum brakes.
If two sets of drum brakes are 180mm/200mm, could the drum brake covers be swapped between them. Asking as I'm big about unsprung weight savings and found a modern aluminum finned drum that looks similar, but I have no idea if two finned drums are the same size, are they interchangeable?
I should mention, this would be with same lug pattern and hub bore too.
The depth of the friction surface from the hub face and its width would be the only other consideration I could think of.
Grab one from Autozone/pep boys etc and see how it fits!
Awesome! Thank you and I figured that would be the only other issue. Trying to purchase a used set right now, actually.
The 240Z came with aluminum drums in the rear, the 510 came with steel drums, The 240Z guys would run 510 drums to reduce flex, the 510 guys would run 240z drums to save weight. I guess it depends on your priorities and how much whoa you need.
I've read your post several times, and I think, by drum cover, you are speaking of the brake drum itself. Then, I think you are asking if a 180mm diameter brake drum will go where a 200mm diameter drum was, or vice versa. Qualified answer is yes, but you have to bring the backing plates, and all the shoes and stuff as well. Therefore, the simple answer is no.
I apologize for not getting back to this earlier. Having done research on drums and "hats" aka covers, I managed to find a set of aluminum drum "covers" that I was able to almost completely bolt on with an addition of a 6mm solid steel spacer under the cover as the insight ZE1 covers have a raised cylindrical area versus the iQ drums.
The drums I used are from a 00-06 Honda Insight rear brake/suspension set up. They are 181mm, same as the iQ rear drums (and several other Scion/Toyota 4x100 drums). Just doing a comparison that the aluminum save 1-2lbs. a side vs the OEM iQ steel covers (minimal at best, but at least it's rotational mass). The inner steel barrel of the insight drum is very slightly bigger than the iQ drum, but once the spacer is added everything mounts up and bolts on accordingly and I've had no issues since. Honestly, not sure if I noticed any differences in braking or handling, but the drums do seem to cool down based on touching them after a hard drive versus the steel covers. I'd need to devote time and testing to see if there is any difference in all actuality.
I'm still a newb and, don't see a way to attach the pictures from the computer I'm on and I refuse to use Photobucket anymore. I'll try to upload later on my cell phone.