Fatrodder's disc brake conversion?

[70B5Cuda]

Fatrodder sells a disc brake conversion on Ebay- item # 140275277818. has anyone purchased this kit and if so, what do you think of it? A guy could spend a ton of money on brakes, but this will mostly be a nice day driver with a slightly warmed 440. It currently has drums all the way around so I am just looking for an upgrade with good (not excellent) results. I don't plan to abuse the brakes-just want usability and reliability. Thanks for any feedback!!

[dutch]

no experience with those brakes, but if you want a little upgrade from drums, why not go original powerdiscs...

[70B5Cuda]

I guess I should have clarified that I want an improvement over original discs.

The kit is appealing because it is new and inlcludes everything for the swap including master cylinder. I am considering replacing brake lines at the same time-I once had a 66 Mustang that burst a line. Unfortunately I didn't have dual reservoirs and it was an automatic so it was interesting getting stopped. Old brakes and old technology just scares me.

[autoxcuda]

I guess I should have clarified that I want an improvement over original discs.

The kit is appealing because it is new and inlcludes everything for the swap including master cylinder. I am considering replacing brake lines at the same time-I once had a 66 Mustang that burst a line. Unfortunately I didn't have dual reservoirs and it was an automatic so it was interesting getting stopped. Old brakes and old technology just scares me.

Those are original discs. Same disks on a 73-74 Challenger. They are acutally 10.75" diameter. NO improvement over factory 70-74 front discs. But also no worse either. Just the same deal.

Those spindles are 73-76A-body/73-74 Challenger spindles OR FMJ-body Diplomat/Volare spindles.

Calipers are 73-76 A-body, and Most FMJ-bodies. Nothing special there

The only custom thing there is the brake booster and brackets. The master cylinder is a GM master. IMHO the GM master cyl stands out like a sore thumb in the engine compartment.

If you want a little improvement get the 11.75 disk brake caliper adapers and run the bigger 11.75" disks that will bolt on to the factory spindle. But you MUST have the caliper adapters/brackets to move the caliper out for the bigger disk.

[black71]

where can you get the parts to run the bigger calipers?

[autoxcuda]

where can you get the parts to run the bigger calipers?

All you really need used is the caliper adapters for a 73-76 A-body/73-74 E-body spindle OR the slightly taller FMJ Body spindle disk swap.

The 11.75 rotors are available new for like under $60 through www.rockauto.com

The must read article was written by Richard Ehrenberg in Mopar Action magazine: http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html

[Bullitt-]

11" adapters  http://www.scarebird.com/index.php?id=2

[black71]

thanks, but from what i can tell these use drum spindles correct? are ther any upgrades for my factory disc brake spindles?

[black71]

my rotors are shot and calipers i'm sure need rebuilt....everywhere i can find calipers they are almost 200 a piece! i figure if i'm spending this much on stock replacement why not upgrade? what would anyone here suggest?

[HP2]

Wow, you need to find some new parts sources.

Rock Auto has calipers for around $25 each, rotors for around $50 each. If you currently have disc brakes, you would need to find the caliper adapter off a post '76 big car, like St Regis or Cordoba, to allow an upgrade from 10.87 to 11.75 rotors.

Other option is a Wilwood set up using the same 11.75 rotors with custom adapters $125, and Wilwood Dynalites @ $125 each. Pads are another $50 and you have four piston, lightweight calipers on the biggest factory rotors that will fit in a 15" wheel.

Another route is a custom Wilwood kit using aluminum hubs, 12.19 rotors and their forged aluminum calipers for the absolute biggest set up that will fit in a 15" wheel. Expect to spend around a couple grand for this kit.

If your running 17" wheels, then kit options are almost limitless and offered all over then. Expect prices to start around $1500 and go up from there.

[the_engineers]

The Shuck's in Ontario, OR should be able to get you calipers without pins (Cardone P/N 184066) for $20 ea.  Check out the Parts America website (www.partsamerica.com)  They are the parent company for Advance Auto, Shuck's, etc.  Any price you see on the website should get matched in the store.

I bought rotors off ebay from irotors (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZirotors) that were listed for a Dodge St. Regis.  The ones I picked up were cross drilled and slotted and they were $150+ for the pair. 

[Bullitt-]

??!?!?... I don't think the larger rotor from post 71 cars are a direct replacement... different spindle/bearing configuration from what I've read. ....maybe they can be adapted similar to the drum to disk?

Wow, you need to find some new parts sources.

Rock Auto has calipers for around $25 each, rotors for around $50 each. If you currently have disc brakes, you would need to find the caliper adapter off a post '76 big car, like St Regis or Cordoba, to allow an upgrade from 10.87 to 11.75 rotors.

[the_engineers]

The 11.75" conversion is very easy.  Bullitt99, I think you are correct that the bearings are a different size, but I think it's as easy as matching your spindle year and OD's are the same.

Easiest way to get the right bearings...measure your spindle where the bearings ride.  Even better, take your spindle and rotor with you.

[autoxcuda]

??!?!?... I don't think the larger rotor from post 71 cars are a direct replacement... different spindle/bearing configuration from what I've read. ....maybe they can be adapted similar to the drum to disk?

They will bolt on to 73-74 E-body spindles. Or if you did a conversion using the 73-76 Dart spindle which is the exact same as a 73-74 E-body spindle.

The 70-72 Disk brakes spindles on E-bodies have a  smaller inner bearing.

[HP2]

... and the differing smaller inner bearing problem is solved via a bearing spacer. $50 from a few different sources.