Brake upgrade

[TimMcCallum]

I have a 72 camaro with the rear drum brakes and was wondering what is the easiest way to do a disk brake conversion in the rear, or if I could get them off a newer f-body or such ImageUploadedByTapatalk1392765458.936089.jpg

[98blackbeauty]

obviously a late model rearend is the easiest

[Gregs_gsxr]

I have front and rear ls1 brake set up laying around, fronts just need new boots. Can make me a reasonable offer if thats something your interested in upgrading to.

[bri2203]

I would question why you want to do this?

[Gregs_gsxr]

I would question why you want to do this?

he has drum, and wants disc

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Stock front discs for 72 were 11.1" and stock rear discs from 98-02 f-bodies are 11.9". Do to the caliper and diameter differences, you would likely need to run an adjustable proportioning valve rather than a standard disc/disc valve block. Also need to use a disc/disc master cylinder as disc/drum MC's have a 10lb residual valve to keep a slight amount of pressure in the rear slave cylinders.

[Gregs_gsxr]

He could also just replace the spring as well, to cure the master cylinder

[hoogiesngrinderz]

He could also just replace the spring as well, to cure the master cylinder

Not on 72. Residual valves were in the master cylinder themselves. Completely different setup than later third gens, which have open ports front and rear.

[Gregs_gsxr]

thats right

[98blackbeauty]

so to sum it up, He would need to get a new or different Master cylinder, and the disk brakes set up and maybe a proportioning valve.

[MP81]

Just upgrade to the large 11" finned drums. There are kits out there. It's cheap and effective.

[bri2203]

he has drum, and wants disc

Thanks Greg, I read that.

Most people think if I convert to disc brake my car will stop much better. FALSE
Is he doing it for looks?
If he doing it to stop better? 1. Does the current brake system have a problem? Low vacuum, seized component etc. 2. If he wants better braking for repeated stops it would be better upgrade the front brakes with good pads before doing the rears. 3. Do you want to keep the use of your parking brake?

Like Mike pointed out, I have never seen a car with larger rear brakes than fronts.

[MP81]

Most people think if I convert to disc brake my car will stop much better. FALSE

Since rear brakes only account for about 30% of the braking force...making them larger really doesn't improve braking performance. The *only* issue is really longevity - if you're running on a track, drums will fade much quicker than discs...but other than that, not the largest of gains - which is the main reason my Cobalt still runs rear drums. Even on an AutoX course, I don't heat the rear brakes up enough for them to fade.

Front brakes will produce the biggest braking performance increase for the money. As Brian mentioned, a set of good pads (like Hawks, for instance) will work wonders.

[bri2203]

tires will make a big difference as well

[MP81]

tires will make a big difference as well

A difference, as well as a crucial sister mod to a brake upgrade.

If you upgrade the brakes, but not the tires - your car can only stop to the friction limit of the tire...if your vehicle already does that, big brakes will do nothing but cause your tires to lock up and slide easier.