Disk Brake Conversion Kits?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Utah
Disk Brake Conversion Kits?
Has anyone put a disk brake conversion kit on a 1958 or any C1 corvette. If so, have you had any problems with it? I found kits with and without a dual master cylinder. Is it worth the $900+ for the dual MC kit. Thanks for any info you can give.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,848
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From: Atlanta, Ga, Fulton
Re: Disk Brake Conversion Kits? (mmfritzy)
I found that my dual cyl / power brake conversion works well. What is included in the $900? I think you should get a power brake booster, master cyl, blocks and lines for that price. It is unclear what you have been quoted for the contents of the kit from your post.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
Re: Disk Brake Conversion Kits? (mmfritzy)
I haven't replaced my drums but looked into the swap. I saw a post a while back where some one was asking questions about two different brands of conversion kits. One brand moved the wheels outboard around 1 to 1&1/2 inch (don't remember exact dim.). You might do a search. My understanding is that a new master cyl. and proportioning valve are needed for the system to function at it's highest level.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Ct.
St. Jude Donor '06-07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
Re: Disk Brake Conversion Kits? (mmfritzy)
Just received the June issue of Corvette Fever today and there is an article on the front disc brake conversion from Stainless Steel Brakes Corp on a 58. It's on pages 60-63.
Rich Lagasse
Rich Lagasse
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 66
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From: South Carolina
Re: Disk Brake Conversion Kits? (mmfritzy)
I ended up installing a disk brake conversion from Master Power on my '57.
It is well engineered, uses a dual master cylinder, proportioning valve, and includes sleeves to change from ball, to roller wheel bearings. There was no power booster, but a '57 is a relatively light car, and stops extremely well without one.With this kit,you are going to have to fabricate a couple of brake lines, the worst part is getting the blocks, and unions. Even brake supply houses don't carry a very wide selection anymore.You will need to use a dual master cylinder,with a proportioning valve, because it takes two different pressures to actuate disk, and drum brakes.The manufacturer recommends installing new tie rods, and tie rod ends,due to the additional force imparted by the disk brakes.I chose to replace the tie rods, so I also had to set the toe-in afterward.I also changed to KYB gas shocks, and went with Halibrand 5 spokes, with T/A radials. The car is now much more enjoyable to drive, and handles more like a sports car instead of a truck.It is well worth the work, and expense.
Cheers,
Bill
It is well engineered, uses a dual master cylinder, proportioning valve, and includes sleeves to change from ball, to roller wheel bearings. There was no power booster, but a '57 is a relatively light car, and stops extremely well without one.With this kit,you are going to have to fabricate a couple of brake lines, the worst part is getting the blocks, and unions. Even brake supply houses don't carry a very wide selection anymore.You will need to use a dual master cylinder,with a proportioning valve, because it takes two different pressures to actuate disk, and drum brakes.The manufacturer recommends installing new tie rods, and tie rod ends,due to the additional force imparted by the disk brakes.I chose to replace the tie rods, so I also had to set the toe-in afterward.I also changed to KYB gas shocks, and went with Halibrand 5 spokes, with T/A radials. The car is now much more enjoyable to drive, and handles more like a sports car instead of a truck.It is well worth the work, and expense.
Cheers,
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: The problem is all inside your head she said to me.
Re: Disk Brake Conversion Kits? (richscorvettes)
Rich could you sum up the article or post it? I don't get that magazine and can't see to find it from there web site. I know this has been gone over many times and I should have already done it for as much as I asked about it but right when I wanted to get strarted I got differing answers about front wheel offset by the kits. I would prefer as little as necessary but with out putting one or the other on the car I did not know who to believe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,456
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From: Ct.
St. Jude Donor '06-07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
Re: Disk Brake Conversion Kits? (INMYBLOOD)
Gordon,
I can't scan the article without taking the magazine apart but it should be on the news-stands in a couple of weeks.
The article is a recap of the conversion for the front brakes on a 58 including the components (calipers, mounts, master cylinder, proportioning valve and lines) and the small mods needed to the flex line mounting tabs. It looks like a striaght-forward conversion that should be relatively easy to do.
They used the kit from Stainless Steel Brakes Corp. whose web site is at: http://www.ssbrakes.com There is additional information on their site including the prices for the kits. Check at this link for that information: http://www.ssbrakes.com/pages/Result...&carYear=53-62
I hope that helps.
Rich Lagasse
I can't scan the article without taking the magazine apart but it should be on the news-stands in a couple of weeks.
The article is a recap of the conversion for the front brakes on a 58 including the components (calipers, mounts, master cylinder, proportioning valve and lines) and the small mods needed to the flex line mounting tabs. It looks like a striaght-forward conversion that should be relatively easy to do.
They used the kit from Stainless Steel Brakes Corp. whose web site is at: http://www.ssbrakes.com There is additional information on their site including the prices for the kits. Check at this link for that information: http://www.ssbrakes.com/pages/Result...&carYear=53-62
I hope that helps.
Rich Lagasse
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2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2
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From: Woodland Hills California
Re: Disk Brake Conversion Kits? (mmfritzy)
I put monster Wilwood 12.19" rotors and C4 ('84-'87) calipers on my '61. Everything fits under 15" steel wheels (won't fit the original wheels though). The caliper brackets were relatively simple to make. The setup retains the original hubs and bearings. If anyone is interested in the details, email me.
-Mark
-Mark
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2019
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Disc brake conversion kits
Hi. I just joined the forum and am looking for some information on disc brake kits. I have read the earlier correspondence and note that nothing has been added since 2014. I am considering converting my drum brakes to disc on my 1958 Corvette. There are quite a few products available, probably more and different than what was available in 2014. Has anyone done a conversion lately, and can anyone recommend a product? Also, I note that some kits have a dual master cylinder option and others without suggest there is an adapter kit that can be fitted. Any comments on these two options?
Thanks,
Brent
Thanks,
Brent
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,205
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From: Knoxville, TN
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Performance Online use stock master cylinder $369
https://www.performanceonline.com/Di...hevy-corvette/
Easy installation and they work great.
https://www.performanceonline.com/Di...hevy-corvette/
Easy installation and they work great.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,394
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From: Pittsburgh
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Performance Online use stock master cylinder $369
https://www.performanceonline.com/Di...hevy-corvette/
Easy installation and they work great.
https://www.performanceonline.com/Di...hevy-corvette/
Easy installation and they work great.
Last edited by dcamick; Apr 25, 2019 at 03:52 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
Just finished mine on 61'. Went on very easy - all parts fit extremely well . did not get master cylinder , booster or lines with metering valve and residual valve from CC. happy with the wheel end parts but do not like stainless steel lines - hard to bend and must tighten extremely tight to get stainless to seat but that is the only way to get it from CC. Still shopping for master cylinder and booster though. Good luck , I believe it is a great update.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 13
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This is a second attempt at a reply. I think I hit the wrong button! Apologies if this is coming through twice.
Thanks for the info. Am I to understand that the POL kit does not require a new master cylinder or brake lines? Meaning that I can use my existing master cylinder and brake lines but adding the brake hoses supplied. I was of the impression that you needed a dual master cylinder with the extra lines running to the two front brakes. Is this not the case? Also, do you need a proportioning valve to allocate between rear and front brake pressure?
Thanks for the info. Am I to understand that the POL kit does not require a new master cylinder or brake lines? Meaning that I can use my existing master cylinder and brake lines but adding the brake hoses supplied. I was of the impression that you needed a dual master cylinder with the extra lines running to the two front brakes. Is this not the case? Also, do you need a proportioning valve to allocate between rear and front brake pressure?