Hi , first time on the forum. Contemplating the purchase of a ‘63 split window. Can you fit disc brakes with factory knock offs wheels?
thanks,
Mike

 

Yes, if you use a Corvette Disk brake system.
From GM. Review your driving habits and choose accordingly.

 

Thanks much. Greatly appreciated.

 

The 63 SWC I just bought has had the conversion done, it has the Western Wheel Knockoffs without the pins that some other Knockoffs have to keep the spinner from backing off. I discovered the left rear caliper was leaking and had to buy A seven pound lead hammer to properly remove the spinner, I saw evidence of red lock tight so it unscrewed hard, don't use lock tight. I called my local parts store and asked for 65 calipers, first year for disc brakes, they had them in stock and they fit properly.

 

Why will the car need disc brakes?

There is absolutely positively nothing wrong with drum brakes. They are a simple, easy to maintain and service, and effective system. The Corvette is pretty light as well. There's nothing bad to say about swapping to discs as long as the brake system as a whole is considered, from master to calipers including the internal diameter of the brake lines.

I just wanted to mention in case there's a feeling that the '63 will "need" disc brakes because it has drums and it's an old car. It's a common misconception that the drums are not "good" brakes.

 

JackBen,

I converted to disk brakes on my 61 with the thought that there would be a stopping and ease of stopping improvement with the conversion with my non power brake option.....And, in my oppinion, there was a slight improvement. Actually, I liked the way the disk brake setup looked with TTO wheels...

 

Are you planning on "tracking" the car? If not, leave the drum brakes on the car. I have owned both and the drums work fine, and in some cases, their initial bite is better than the disc. If you don't secure the right pad compound for your driving needs, you will find the improvement negligible.

 

In the past I've owned 2 340HP '63's with drums all around-stock-no problems or complaints....

 

If and when I order a new C8 I’m gonna check the drum brake option box.

 

Make sure to check the points option also!

 

I'm jumping on board the "leave it" bandwagon. If you're racing the car, go disc. If you're cruising the street, add a booster. My '63 with power drum stops as good as my '67 with power disc.

 

I have everything you need to put a stock setup on your 63 off my 66 trailing arms parking brake cables everything. I had it listed on the for sale section . I can't seem to find it. But what ever it says for the price I well give you a deep discount.It was all refurbished buy my cars previous owner but that was 25 years ago. Always in a garage but still would need some attention.

 

If a person wants to go from drum to disc I think buying Renos all-Corvette parts would be the way to go.
Gary
PS I wouldn't go to the trouble and expense to go to Disc for little to no benefit for normal or even some aggressive driving. (See GM's commentary on my previous post) Do a search on disc caliper leaks and then one on drum brake cylinder leaks

 

Ok, just to add to the controversary RE: drum vs disc I will add to the discussion. A new 63 Corvette optioned with PB and Metallic brake shoes was tested many times at this particular location with stopping distance from 110mph to zero in approx. 540 feet as was just measured on googlemaps. This was accomplished by heel-toe braking and downshifting without ever skidding the 6/70-15 tires. The brake pedal had to be modulated as the hotter those metallic shoes got, the more they gripped.

The distance was never measured at the time of the testing and I suppose there is a possibility that the electric power pole at top of picture (where brakes were applied at 110mph) could have been moved over the years but I highly doubt it. For certain the RR track at the bottom of the screen has not changed.

My conclusion is that a disc brake car vs a drum brake car with same tires and driven by the same accomplished driver would have minimal differences in stopping distance. I would also consider that with many multiple stops the disc brakes "may" have a less tendacy to fade, but I gotta tell you, those metallic brakes really haul you down when hot. All that said, if I were racing I would go with Disc brakes, for street drum brakes are better than great.

My final comment is this: Owning and driving the all-new Sting Ray as a young man with many friends also owning Corvettes was an experience that can't be explained quickly or easily.
Gary

 

Jake Ben 63,
As you can see, there are "mixed feelings" (to say the least) on the necessity of disc brakes. But that wasn't the question. Since you asked, the answer is yes it can be done (Reno sounds like he has a good option). I like most all modifications. So it wouldn't matter to me, if I wanted to put disc brakes on the car, I would. Now, having said that, it seems you don't own the car yet. I would, if I was you, get the car and drive it first. You might find you like it just as it is. If not, go from there (you also might find there are more pressing things to look at, unless the car was recently restored).

Oh, any pictures of the car you are considering?

 

You can find the car on the website of Right Way Automotive. Daytona Blue. Any input will be appreciated Mike

 

And the check box for carburetor....:-)

 

I may be in the minority but I think the manual drums were absolutely horrible unless you drive like you are in a parade. For what it's worth, I converted my manual drums to manual discs (using stock C3 components) and was still disappointed in the pedal effort. I then added a booster and am much happier. My point is, if your goal is braking performance then discs are probably the way to go, but if your concern is more the braking feel & effort then you may find converting to power gets you where you want to be with less work & expense. If you do want to convert, Reno's package would be a great start.