Consensus on disc brake upgrades?

[elnielsen]

Hello All,

I got pulled aside about driving around on on my factory finned front brake drums. It's been years.. (it hasn't been driving until now anyways), but cheapest fix -> buy any old two new drums. Which I haven't done, and leads into do a brake conversion.

The three options are the Hydroboost conversion (I'm rooting for; but requires fab and no extensive do this do that write-ups), Cordoba conversion (this has been around a long time and I'm not even sure Cordoba replacement parts are available any longer), and the drum to disc conversion kits on SummitRacing.com (my brother is rooting for because it will be *should be* plug & play).

Shall I throw in the towel and do a summit conversion kit? It's a 71 Barracuda with a freshened 318 for now, I completely rebuilt the stock front suspension (should have upgraded), and did do new new torsion springs and lowered it. It's stock all four drums and it works as intended but we all need more stopping power.

Thank you!!

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I like th Cordoba swap , 11.75" rotors with easy to get calipers & mounts from Dr Diff + Hydroboost or even just manual brakes .

 

[tonysrt]

I've have bought Cordoba rotors from Rock Auto. I did that conversion on my 71 Cuda probably 20 years ago.

 

[duster340]

I went with a Summit manuel disc brake setup on my 70 sixpack roadrunner. Purchased the complete kit and it really was just a bolt on. Stops great!!! Installed easy, I chose manuel because the power brake boosters look so wrong. The master cylinder doesnt look 100% but its not too bad.The adjustable proprotion valve I installed in the juntion block location under drivers seat frame rail its hidden and I didnt have to adjust as the factory adjustment was excellent. The only area to watch is when turning steering wheel lock to lock there was an area where caliper just touched the shock, barely but it did touch. Just a light hit with disc sander or die grinder and perfect. This setup stops so much better than the drums. Peddle feels just like a manuel drum brake car, very high but stops excellent. I wouldnt hesatate to use this kit again.

 

[duster340]

 

[moparleo]

Try to stay with a Mopar conversion. Get everything including master and prop valve. Staying with Mopar spec'd parts makes it easier to service and to find compatible parts . After market conversions tend to have problems and are harder to sort because the service manuals only cover the factory parts,

Disc-O-Tech

DISC-O-TECHStop on a dime departmentAwesome stopping power for virtually any Mopar with lowbuck stock parts - plus some racecar tricks! DISC-O-TECH PARTS LIST RACE CALIPERS HOSE JOB SOURCESText and Photosby Richard EhrenbergEverybody knows Mopar

www.moparaction.com

Brake System Science: How Disc Brakes Work and Choosing the Right Components

Disc brake systems are complicated, and all the parts have to work together if you want it to function properly. You also need to choose the parts for how you intend to the drive the car, whether that’s on the street, autocross, or road course.

www.motortrend.com

 

[Xcudame]

Another source is Scare Bird if you're on a tight budget. Two choices. But if you can afford it, sticking with the factory stuff like in the disc-o-tech article Moparleo posted would be my first choice.

1962-72 Plymouth, Dodge "B" & "E" body budget front disc

Challenger Cuda Barracuda Charger Belvedere Coronet Hemi Wedge 440 383 318 225 Road runner Satellite

scarebird.com

1962-72 Plymouth, Dodge "B" & "E" body except 880 front disc

scarebird.com

 

[Kinbote]

Disco-Tech here w/manual master cylinder. Works great & pads / parts easy to get

 

[Katfish]

Same here, been running that set-up for 15yrs, hard to beat factory parts.

 

[Challenger RTA]

I went with the factory 11.75" set up. Chrysler put a lot more $$$$$ research and engineering into it than I would, and I think any after market co. The only thing with the 11.75 rotors you need to use 15" or larger wheels.

 

[heminut]

Same here, been running that set-up for 15yrs, hard to beat factory parts.

Ditto!