Brake upgrade ?

[rb70]

Trying to decide if upgrading to all disc brakes is worth the cost and effort, 70 Cuda now has 4 drums and will not be raced. So is it worth upgrading to all disc?
Summit has a 4 wheel power disc  brake package for $917 + 150 for bearings + installation cost(never done this and wont try now) or I can rebuild my current for about $750, excluding drums.

If I go with disc, is there much of braking difference between power and non-power systems?

[72bluNblu]

I don't think its necessary to go 4 wheel disks. The rear drums are decent for the amount of the braking force that they provide, especially for a street driven car.

On the other hand, I would definitely upgrade to front disks. Over 70% of the braking force to slow your car is provided by the front brakes. Plus, for the price of rebuilding the front drums, you can probably get most of the conversion parts, since you can do it with all oem parts.

I would swap in a set of '73 up disk spindles. This will allow you to use the more common rotors available. It would also allow you to go to the later F/J/M 11.75" rotors if you wanted to. You'd need a set of '73 up spindles, a set of caliper brackets (either the 10.8" or 11.75" version), calipers to go with them (same regardless of rotor size), bearings, and a new master cylinder and proportioning valve (disk/drum).

[Katfish]

I don't think its necessary to go 4 wheel disks. The rear drums are decent for the amount of the braking force that they provide, especially for a street driven car.

On the other hand, I would definitely upgrade to front disks. Over 70% of the braking force to slow your car is provided by the front brakes. Plus, for the price of rebuilding the front drums, you can probably get most of the conversion parts, since you can do it with all oem parts.

I would swap in a set of '73 up disk spindles. This will allow you to use the more common rotors available. It would also allow you to go to the later F/J/M 11.75" rotors if you wanted to. You'd need a set of '73 up spindles, a set of caliper brackets (either the 10.8" or 11.75" version), calipers to go with them (same regardless of rotor size), bearings, and a new master cylinder and proportioning valve (disk/drum).

   Totally agree, other than the "looks" factor rear discs are a waste of money IMO.  I swapped over to the 11.75" discs up front.  I have 11" drums in back and even with the smaller W/Cs my rear brakes lock up before the fronts.  So unless you're going to 13-14" rotors up front there's no need to have discs in the rear.

The common solution to my problem is to put an adjustable valve inline with the rear brakes to limit the pressure.  So my question is, "Why put even better brakes on the rear and then have to limit their ability to stop further?"

[rb70]

Ok thanks guys.

Is this a good kit or should I buy the parts separately?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RSD-MDC62WKC/

You said disc/drum portioning valve, I do not see one on Summits website, do you know who sells them?

[Bullitt-]

Here's a proportioning valve setup Summit sells a couple of our members have used

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WIL-260-11179/

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=66387.msg691106#msg691106

[72bluNblu]

Ok thanks guys.

Is this a good kit or should I buy the parts separately?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RSD-MDC62WKC/

You said disc/drum portioning valve, I do not see one on Summits website, do you know who sells them?

Looks like a good kit to me. I'd want to make sure that all the parts are actually Mopar parts, but they all appear to be original mopar pieces. I wouldn't buy the parts separately if you're going to buy them all new. I'd probably just find some used spindles and rebuild a set of calipers from pick a part, but I'd be doing the work myself.

[HP2]

I've seen some bad press on some of the kits out there. Not sure who makes Summit kits, so I can't comment on their stuff first hand. Since it comes as a kit, it is handy, but you can put together your own stuff by shopping around for/with all mopar parts for around $500-600, but it will take longer to round up all the pieces. So it is up to you to decide what is more important, price or convienance.

[rb70]

The kit I mentioned is made by Right Stuff and from I have read, they have a good rep. It is just sold by Summit.

[Tom Quad]

I can help you [and others] with a drum brake lining upgrade that works if you are serious.   The total cost when finished is less than $400.00.   I have done several drum brake cars this way with amazing results.  People with disc in the front could use the upgrade for the rear brakes. 

[brads70]

Another option using your spindles?
http://arengineering.com/instructsheet/index8.html

[brads70]

Found these spindles, all you need is rotors, bearings and calipers? Just find the caliper bracket for the bigger rotors and your good to go!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270680964659&viewitem=

[mopar12372]

Another option using your spindles?
http://arengineering.com/instructsheet/index8.html

i like your idea . will they work with 15 in weld aluma stars ? i like it i like it !!!

[brads70]

i like your idea . will they work with 15 in weld aluma stars ? i like it i like it !!!

I don't know if they will fit your rims or not? I just bought a set of Viper calipers and EBC pads to fit on mine. I'll make a post about it when I get them on?

[mopar12372]

ill be watching

[HP2]

Welds are a new enough wheel they should fit without any issue. I've test fit Viper calipers in a dozen different wheels, include stock steels, and they have all fit so far. Now that isn't to say that someone with some vintage 1970 slot mags will work, but most wheels made after 1975 were made with clearence for disc brake calipers and should be okay.