brakes?

Author Topic: brakes?  (Read 2179 times)

Offline 6771plymouth

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brakes?
« on: September 02, 2014 - 07:31:59 AM »
ok I have 71 cuda with a 426 hemi going in it. it has wilwood disc brakes up front drums in the back. do I want or need to have power brakes if so 7" or 8"




Offline dfrazz

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2014 - 07:56:35 AM »
I would recommend power brakes with a HEMI engine.  What size of wheels are you running?

Offline 6771plymouth

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2014 - 12:22:16 PM »
15"

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2014 - 10:20:01 PM »
If you have power steering I would use a hydro boost unit , far smaller & better braking

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Offline polarbear123

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2014 - 10:19:50 AM »
I have a 440 with 500HP and have same set up as you. I have no problem stopping. That being said I wouldn't mind having power brakes.

Offline anlauto

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2014 - 10:47:21 AM »
It's a matter of personal preference. With standard brakes and the Wilwood set-up the brake pedal will be firm and always there when you need it. It doesn't take much effort to stop with the 4 wheel disc brakes each with 4 piston calipers.

I think with added power brakes, the pedal will be softer and can fluctuate depending on engine vacuum...meaning at an idle the brakes will not be the same as higher rpms :2cents:

That being said...I'm adding power wilwood brakes on my next customer's car...ONLY because he wants it that way. :woo:
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Offline 360FISH

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2014 - 04:27:56 PM »
If you have power steering I would use a hydro boost unit , far smaller & better braking
I may be interested in something like this... any suggested units that are an easy install at home?

Thank you
Alan
1973 ‘Cuda   Semi-Pro Touring
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2014 - 06:59:16 PM »
The one I was quasi involved with we used a Hydro boost from an Astro van with an adapter to fit the firewall , but there are bolt in units already but for more $$ , you have to Tee the power steering lines so you have pressure to the hydro boost as well as the steering box & tee in the return also , we used Aeroquip hose & fittings but it can be done with trans line & brass tee for the return line . I do not have a source for a bolt in Hydro boost unit but someone here should or google it .

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Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2014 - 08:53:20 PM »
You certainly don't "need" power brakes. Remember, power brakes do nothing to decrease your stopping distance. They just make the pedal easier to push. If you can stop your car with manual brakes and don't have a problem with the brake effort, you don't need power brakes.

I HATE the power brakes on my Challenger. I didn't realize how awful they are until I started driving my Duster, which has manual brakes. Even when I was running the stock manual master cylinder and 11.75" disks it was a much better braking feel than the power brakes on my Challenger, running the same size disks on both. I upgraded my Duster to a set of Dr. Diff's 13" cobra brakes and a 15/16" bore modern master cylinder, and its by far a better experience. I really should just buy another master cylinder and conversion plate from Cass and ditch the power brakes on my Challenger too.

Oh, and A LOT more room to work without that big old booster in the way too. Probably even more helpful on a Hemi.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2014 - 12:12:34 AM »
 :iagree: both of my cars are manual brake cars & I love the feel you get with manual

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Offline 6771plymouth

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Re: brakes?
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2014 - 05:26:04 AM »
thanks all, thats what i was worried about was the room with the hemi  my 67 satallite has manual brakes with no problems