PDA

View Full Version : convert drums to disc in front?


kevinw
10-31-2017, 04:20 PM
hello. question. I am looking at a 69 Malibu with manual drum brakes. remembering my college days when I had a old chevelle then, I hated the drums.
I was thinking of converting fronts to discs, but I read where there is a kit with power boost conversion and still leave the drums?
is this an ok route and cheaper and less work than converting to disc in front?

thanks!

vinces427bb
11-01-2017, 12:57 AM
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/brakes/sucp-0407-cryogenic-brake-kit/
they used to be praise dyno brakes - article is from like 2002-2004

http://musclecarbrakes.com/stage36472malibu.html
now they appear to be muscle car brakes - link is for 64-72 malibu's
do some more research before you decide

vinces427bb
11-01-2017, 01:00 AM
http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/48768-Praise-Dyno-Brakes
this is from 2008 ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=praise+dyno+brakes&t=ffsb&atb=v35-2&ia=web
some of the links are still good :)

kevinw
11-01-2017, 09:43 PM
ok, thanks for the tip

kevinw
11-05-2017, 07:29 AM
question . whats your opinion on adding a power booster to the drum brakes and not converting them to disc? would this be any easier and cheaper than buying a $600 disc brake set and the time to convert it? are the power boost drums work good? its on a 69 chevelle. seller is so funny, he did all these things to soup up the engine all these years but didn't do anything to stop the car when he is going fast. thanks

chevymaher
11-05-2017, 07:38 AM
No matter what drum brakes heat and fade. If you drive nice and don't tow they are fine. 2 100 mph panic stops and drums are though with money. Power boost wont affect the performance one way or the other. Just less pedal pressure.

There was factory power drum brakes. On older cars.

My buddy has drums on his 72 still. He says they are fine if you know and accept it has limited brakes. 20 seconds hot and very little brakes till they cool off.

kevinw
11-05-2017, 09:21 AM
ok thanks. I am just trying to deceide whether to just go with the front disc brakes. I live in Kansas city, a lot of traffic, and I tend to have a habit of tailgating peeps on top of it.

BillsCamino
11-05-2017, 09:45 AM
Wilwood sells a kit that uses your existing stock drum spindles to install disc brakes.

chevymaher
11-05-2017, 10:32 AM
I just bought spindles. All the rest of the factory parts fit then.

pitts64
11-05-2017, 11:57 AM
I would do the factory spindle set up. With semi metallic pads, the stock 11" disc / drum set up is pretty hard to beat.

Ken Hayes
11-28-2017, 09:32 PM
Kevin, this is what I did to my 70........front conversion.....everything complete with new lines front to rear $595.00

https://www.getdiscbrakes.com/

kevinw
12-04-2017, 11:31 AM
ok thanks. looking at first of the year wanting to convert. previous owner did stuff to make the car go faster, but I guess wasn't concerned about stopping it eventually. LOL

kevinw
07-17-2020, 10:07 AM
hello. I just installed right stuff front disc brakes with power booster on 69 Malibu.
2 questions.
the car pulls to the left when braking hard. have checked lines, and re bled, to no improvement. suspension seemed tight too
second, can the brake pedal be adjusted closer to the floor? it is still kind of high when car had manual drums, and my leg wants to push the brake pedal hard like before. thanks

shadowgray396
07-28-2020, 06:31 PM
Isn’t there a difference in the push rod between drum and disc brakes. Wonder if that might help on the pedal.