Drum- Disc Conversion

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Jan 17, 2002 | 01:36 PM

#21

M.Y.Freak

Instructor

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 233

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From: Waukegan,Il,USA

Re: Improving Drum Brakes

Initially I had considered converting my '63 Coupe to 4 wheel discs with dual master power conversion. After shopping around I've decided it's a little too pricey for me. The April issue of "Super Chevy" mag. has an article re: upgrading DRUM brakes. The kit is sold by a co. from Texas called:"Praise Dyno Brake"
The article stated that stopping distance was shortened by approximately 50 feet from 60 mph. I think I'm going to look into what they are all about plus pricing. While their system may not be equal to discs or eliminating the single master cylinder situation it may be one alternative to some of us that don't have the bucks for a disc/dual master system.
BTW, this is not a commercial, I don't own the co. or know anyone affiliated with it.
Regards, Bob L. ('63 Under constructoin)

Jan 18, 2002 | 10:14 PM

#22

KJLVette

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 123

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From: Stow OH

Re: Improving Drum Brakes (M.Y.Freak)

Thanks everyone for the advice on the dual master cylinder conversion :)
And Gary, I'll check the Zip catalog. I was considering this last year but couldn't find any satisfactory answers. If I tackle it this year I'll be sure to post the results and pictures if I can get a digital camera.

Kevin

Jan 19, 2002 | 11:50 AM

#23

7LitreC5

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 5,473

Likes: 717

From: Black Forest CO

Re: Drum- Disc Conversion (garagedweller2)

I converted my 63 to front disk brakes and dual master cylinder a while back. I did not use a kit. I spent around $900 to do the whole thing. I got some used C3 spindles/backing plates/caliper brackets. I bought new bearings and races, slotted rotors, rebuilt calipers from Auto Zone, carbon metalic brake shoes, brake hoses, some steel hard line, a brake line T-fitting for a 66, a Summit adjustable preportioning valve, and a new Nova disk/drum master cylinder from NAPA. The master cylinder, from what I read needs to have at a 1" bore.

Other than bending up a couple of hard lines and making a bracket for the preportioning valve the rest of it bolted right up

[Modified by mforbes, 8:51 AM 1/19/2002]

Jan 19, 2002 | 03:06 PM

#24

mrg

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 4,424

Likes: 619

From: northern CA

Re: Drum- Disc Conversion (garagedweller2)

As a point of information, will a complete C3 disc brake system convert over into an original C2 drum brake application .. ? .. Just wonderin' .. :smash:
Thanks ...... mrg

Sep 23, 2004 | 06:12 PM

#25

JOESL8

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 221

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I'd like to know if this is true?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrg

As a point of information, will a complete C3 disc brake system convert over into an original C2 drum brake application .. ? .. Just wonderin' ..

Thanks ...... mrg

??

I'd like to know too? I just acquired a 64 and the brakes are one of the issues at the top of the pile of to do's? Several guys suggested buying a wrecked C3 for parts since they are interchangeable, I don't know anything about it but it sounds interesting. My car is non original (motor, etc.) so I don't mind tweaking it to be a safer driver, plus I need to drive it daily. Another friend at work with an early 50's chevy wagon purchased a conversion chart on eBay for drum to disk. His material had notes for which cars he could pull off parts from that were cheaper in cost. I know whenever you say "Corvette" the parts counter people just smile and the parts magically go up, I'm also sure there are Nova, Camaro, etc. parts that would work...I just don't know which ones they are??

Sep 24, 2004 | 05:01 PM

#26

kenmo

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 6,158

Likes: 395

From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NS

I purchased my disc brake conversion for my 1960 from ECI Brakes

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/discb...nversions.html

I also converted from a single line master cylinder to a dual line.

Pleased with the results....

Sep 24, 2004 | 05:19 PM

#27

JOESL8

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 221

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Muttley

Where did this thread come from? It's 2 1/2 years old!

:o

Sorry...it's my fault. I've been scourering the old threads to find info on projects I'm considering. I doubt I'd do the brake conversion because it's so pricey but I like the idea.

Sep 24, 2004 | 08:09 PM

#28

mrg

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 4,424

Likes: 619

From: northern CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrg

As a point of information, will a complete C3 disc brake system convert over into an original C2 drum brake application .. ? .. Just wonderin' ..

Thanks ...... mrg

What the heck . ? .. I have NO idea how this thread showed up here . . ? .. Resurreted from the bonepile? .. I didn't do it . .! . .

While we're this topic: I have a '64. My experience with the drum brakes on this car, in the realm of city/highway driving,has always been positive. With the semi metallic drum brake shoes that this car came with from the factory (J65) I could lock up the wheels before I ran out of brake, if needed. As a matter of maintenance on these brakes the only thing I've ever replaced are the wheel cylinder rubber cups, spring, and rubber dust caps. The brake shoes, wheel cylinder housings, drums, springs, etc. are all original to this car. I think I got my money's worth out of these brakes .. ! ..

The last information I had was that a complete C3 disc brake system, including all necessary parts (trailing arms, parking brake, etc) would be about $1000.00 from a corvette wrecking yard if one chose to go this route converting drums over to discs.

John