Drums vs Disc

[Collin]

Im currently running manual brakes with new installed drums in the rear. Havent gotten to the front yets. Curious on if I should convert the front end to disc, or to leave them the drums. I feel like if I had power brakes that it wouldnt be as much of a problem. Anyone have any input? What do you guys have on your cars, opinions on them??

 

[Roadcuda]

Im currently running manual brakes with new installed drums in the rear. Havent gotten to the front yets. Curious on if I should convert the front end to disc, or to leave them the drums. I feel like if I had power brakes that it wouldnt be as much of a problem. Anyone have any input? What do you guys have on your cars, opinions on them??

It may depend more on how you plan on driving your car. I have manual with drums all the way around, and I have no problems stopping the car. But then I usually don't run it so hard that I have to make real quick stops. But the few times I've had to, I've had no issues! I have a good pedal, with no fade, and most important, it stays straight! If you're a hard driver, then it's something you may want to consider.

 

[Hoosier Bird]

Manual drums on mine with no issues, however, I haven't driven it enough to know if they fade or not.......

 

[Basketcase]

I've been running manual drums since '84, with no problems. wouldn't mind discs, just there's usually something else I need more.

 

[Roadcuda]

I've been running manual drums since '84, with no problems. wouldn't mind discs, just there's usually something else I need more.

Dosen't it always seem to be that way?

 

[mcmopar]

I had manual drums on my 1st road runner and they were fine in normal driving. There was one time back in the late '70's when I was "enthusiastically" driving it from stop light to stop light and I had to jump on the brakes hard. I ended up half way out into the intersection (luckily it was a small side street) and they were fading fast!

I have the factory power disc/drum setup on my present runner and I must say I prefer this setup. These brakes can really haul you down in a flat hurry! I don't know how the aftermarket non-power discs are, though. Moparmoose set up a non-power disc setup on his old 66 Coronet (swapped from a '71 Charger) and it seemed to work pretty well.

 

[moparmoose3]

hey buddy. i still have them. i swapped them into the roadrunner and have no problems. i love the non power disc brakes.

I had manual drums on my 1st road runner and they were fine in normal driving. There was one time back in the late '70's when I was "enthusiastically" driving it from stop light to stop light and I had to jump on the brakes hard. I ended up half way out into the intersection (luckily it was a small side street) and they were fading fast!

I have the factory power disc/drum setup on my present runner and I must say I prefer this setup. These brakes can really haul you down in a flat hurry! I don't know how the aftermarket non-power discs are, though. Moparmoose set up a non-power disc setup on his old 66 Coronet (swapped from a '71 Charger) and it seemed to work pretty well.

 

[ACME A12]

Unless it's an original Hemi or A12 car that came with front drums and you're worried about protecting your investment then there is no reason not to upgrade to disks. I hate drum brakes. I drive them hard and I want them to have just as much whoa (or more) as I want them to have go... If you run a healthy camshaft (long duration and or long overlap - I.E. little or no vacuum) go the manual disk route...if the cam you choose will support a power booster then that is the way to go...

:jester:
Been there, done that...

 

[droptop]

My '69 GTX has the power 4 piston disc on front and drum rear. I must say, this is a very good combination. I am with A12 on this one, when you need to stop, you need to stop. No fading, pulling to one side or the other, etc. This will be the setup that I go with on the droptop as well.

 

[Roadcuda]

My '69 GTX has the power 4 piston disc on front and drum rear. I must say, this is a very good combination. I am with A12 on this one, when you need to stop, you need to stop. No fading, pulling to one side or the other, etc. This will be the setup that I go with on the droptop as well.

Hey Harold, how is droptop coming along?

 

[Plymouthfan]

Manual MP disks up front, stock drums out back for me.

 

[george68hemirr]

manual disc front and drums back.....went to order them and the wife said ....why do you need disc brakes....i said to STOP

 

[droptop]

My '69 GTX has the power 4 piston disc on front and drum rear. I must say, this is a very good combination. I am with A12 on this one, when you need to stop, you need to stop. No fading, pulling to one side or the other, etc. This will be the setup that I go with on the droptop as well.

Hey Harold, how is droptop coming along?

very slowly

 

[Collin]

I found someone who offered me a set of 1970-74 Challenger disc brakes and spindles. Will these fit my RR or no?

 

[ACME A12]

I found someone who offered me a set of 1970-74 Challenger disc brakes and spindles. Will these fit my RR or no?

What year is the E-Body? You may have an issue with the sway bar. Read this follwing article. Good info herein.


http://www.moparaction.com/tech/archive/disc-main.html


Ray

 

[SomeCarGuy]

I wouldn't road race my car but the drums are fine for driving. IIRC they are lighter as well.

 

[ACME A12]

IIRC they are lighter as well.

Sure, with a set of 9" A-Body drums that the drag racers love so much...but you're probably not saving too much when you're talking about the 11" X 3" jobbies on the front of my A12...
I could probably LOSE a few pounds by going to a Wilwood conversion with aluminum calipers and hubs...

:jester:
ACME

 

[SomeCarGuy]

I thought the rotors were heavier than the drums? Then the wheel cylinder and other parts are lighter than a caliper. Stock for stock. Wilwood throws that all out the window.

 

[Collin]

So I made it to the junkyard and picked up the K frame with spindles, rotors, calipers, steering box, and upper and lower shock mounts for $150. Took it all apart, pretty good shape. Im going to sell everything but the spindles......sending calipers back for core. Going to put the heavy duty front discs on the car, but this will mean I have to upgrade to a 15" wheel to accomodate for the bigger rotors. Need to instal spindles, calipers, dust shields, rotors, proportioning valve and new master cylinder. Ill post pics later on of how the parts look now, and then once I get everything started later....

 

[Hoosier Bird]

So I made it to the junkyard and picked up the K frame with spindles, rotors, calipers, steering box, and upper and lower shock mounts for $150. Took it all apart, pretty good shape. Im going to sell everything but the spindles......sending calipers back for core. Going to put the heavy duty front discs on the car, but this will mean I have to upgrade to a 15" wheel to accomodate for the bigger rotors. Need to instal spindles, calipers, dust shields, rotors, proportioning valve and new master cylinder. Ill post pics later on of how the parts look now, and then once I get everything started later....

We are going to hold you to that picture thing........