Got a little $$ saved and I am looking for my next bird project.

How hard is the conversion to disk brakes?

Has anybody purchased a kit? It seems the prices vary greatly - why?

What size power booster will a 67 take? I have seen 11 and 9 inch advertised.

Thanks

Trident,

I'm having my front end and brakes done by a guy in Hurley, NY. I shopped for a looooong time for a disc brake conversion kit.

This NY guy, Rick, put together an all-inclusive kit for me for $630. The dust shields, proportioning valve, and spindles were used everything else was brand new. The calipers aren't stainless sleeved but he says it's rare to have a problem. The spindles are used but easy to wear-check. All other parts including ceramic pads, not cheap organic pads, are brand new.

Personally, I think you should give him a try. He's darn conscientious and his knowledge of repairs for FGF cars is extensive. If you want his e-mail address, let me know.

11" and 9"? I hear that the 9" is to make room for a Chevy Big block installation. I've only seen 11" boosters installed in FGFs.

After all my shopping around I realized that some kits are cheaper because STUFF IS MISSING. Read the fine print and you'll see that the booster is extra or the spindles aren't there.

I've had some guys tell me that the booster is unnecessary on a "light" car like ours. When I sell the car 10 years from now, I want to be able to say that it has power brakes.

If you don't go with Rick, buy your kit from Classic Industries. They seem to have the best kit at the best price. I allllmost bought from them before I found Rick. The C.I. price is $819. If you add just a few more dollars to your order, the shipping will be free. (I think.) The brake kit is not discount eligible (like the 15% you get when using their Visa card.)

GL!!

I bought a 4 wheel disc brake conversion kit from CPP:

http://www.classicperform.com/camaro.htm

but I purchased it through Matt's Classic Bowtie:

http://mattsclassicbowties.com/en-us/dept_30.html

It's a COMPLETE kit. The only thing I had to reuse is the steering arm knuckle off each drum, part #37 in this picture:
http://www.1968firebird.org/illustrated/front/front1.html

Total price for the front only is $729 through Matt or $799 through CPP. It's a great kit if you don't want to screw with trying to find all the correct pieces in a junkyard/part store, etc. They are stock GM brakes so replacement parts can be found at your local parts store.

P.S. Have them add the 11" booster at no extra charge.

Some of the kits are also cheaper because they have rebuilt parts (booster, master cylinder) or rely on some of your old parts (like converting your drum spindle to disc - you get to do the work!)

Shop CAREFULLY!

Everything is new in the CPP kit except for the single piston calipers. They are rebuilt. It comes with disc brake spindles also. When the front disc kit arrives it's fully assembled except for the steering knuckle. It's practically a bolt-on affair. They come with really good instructions also.

OK. Then at $50 more ($849) the kit that I got from Master Power Brakes might be an option. All the parts are new including the calipers.

If I converted, my first choice would be manual disc, not power disc.

I converted last fall with SSBC kit,dual piston, but I had to go to 15" wheels so it wasn't cheap but everything fit great as it was supposed to, no problems.

I used the kit from Inline Tube. All components were new and EVERYTHING was included except the brake lines. Was a little pricey -- around $875 if I recall correctly. But, I successfully swapped it out with no prior experience.

John

John,

How was the stopping performance with the Inline kit? Can anyone comment on the CPP kit's performance? I've read of some issues with disc brake upgrades, so I've been holding off until I hear some happy customers. I think there was a problem with the master cylinder choices with one brand. I looked at the Baer site and it's not only pricey but they didn't include a power booster at their price. Confusing choices.

I DID MY OWN IT WASN'T HARD IF YOU HAVE SOME MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE.I WENT TO A JUNK YARD GOT EVERYTHING I NEEDED FOR THE CONVERSION OFF A 71 PONTIAC LEMANS BOUGHT NEW ROTORS&CALIPERS, SHOES PAID ABOUT $300.00 DID THE WORK WITH A FRIEND AND SAVE ALOT $.........

I'm curious too as to how well the Inline Tube kit works. They say their kit fits 14" wheels which I need.

I believe the kit from Inline Tube is a Master Power kit.

i got my kit from matts classic bowties also. best deal i could find. complete kit includes cadium plated booster ( 11" )spindles, rotors, calipers, prop valve, everything i needed.
i also bought all new brake lines too, front and rear. the way i look at it, it doesn't do you any good to go fast, if you can't stop.
the total for everything, including shipping, was under a grand. best investment i have made in the car yet !!

Flynnstone,
What size wheels do you have? I just purchased all new 14" wheels and tires and then decided to do the brake upgrade. I am having trouble finding a kit that will work with 14" rims.
Mike

My project still hasn't made it on the road so I can't comment on the InLineTube kit except that it was easy to install and stops great in the driveway! LOL

I have 14" wheels and everything fit great.

John

i switch between 15" american racing rims, and 14" cregar rims. i have no trouble at all.

After receiving my kit from Matt's, I tried to fit the assembly in my 14" Rally II's to make sure I could use them. NO PROBLEM. Make sure that you have wheels that were made for disc brakes. I haven't put my car back together yet, so I have not actually installed my brakes.