Projects Disc brake conversions

Thinking about my first upgrade of Pontiac. Looking for the best bang for my buck like most of us budget minded people are.

I want to do it right the first time but with a budget there's a lot some searching to be done and I don't know where to start. Of course there's always eBay.

Don't know if I should do a four wheel conversion or just a front one. I do know I want to get away from the single line master cylinder and a new booster cause this car has a serious brake fade.

So any help is appreciated


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Front only is enough to stop the car well. That's where most of the braking force is generated.

 

Contact E.C.I. brakes in Vernon, Ct. Ask for Ralph. He makes quality products that fit, and work, the first time.

 

Front only is plenty. Unless you put in a Chevy. Then 4 wheel discs. . Nice Cat.

 

Scarebird makes a good product, not sure if he is an HAMB alliance vendor. I would trust his stuff over kits I have used from other sources.
https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=63&product_id=72
I'm not big on rear disc conversions for street cars. It opens more cans of worms that the worth you get out of it.

 

I've used Scarebird brackets several times, quality is very good, instructions and parts list of items needed is adequate.

 

I know on some cars he now has complete kits and I've seen him over on eBay too.

 

If you can find junkyard parts, you will always come out ahead vs buying a kit. You might need to resurface the rotors, but that would be cheaper than new in most cases. Brake lines you can bend yourself master cylinder can be any disc/drum type that has a similar bolt pattern to factory.

 

Speedway Motors has some pretty decent priced kits

 

I have used ECI and PerformanceOnLine stuff. Happy with both.

 

I have been using Scarebird stuff you many years. My daily driver included.

Well engineered, welded, and plated brackets, all else off-the-shelf OEM stuff.

Cheap, and easily serviceable. No premium package markup. You source the parts.

 

I've been checking out the scare bird products but with that I'd have to change rim sizes.


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You will, with most of them.

 

I did a conversion on my buddy's 56 Chevrolet that fit the 14" rims. Smaller rotors and calipers. Probably better than the drums, but if you're driving down a mountain or towing, think about changing the rims. I don't know if they show Pontiac with small rims. Scarebird is local to me, pretty well regarded up here. You do more work, and save money.

http://www.abspowerbrake.com/

 

There are factory GM 14" wheels for disc brakes, but the $64k question is will the Poncho wheel covers fit them. Look at disc brake '70 Chevelles and up, Novas also had them. The only place I know that may have them is the boneyards.

 

Scare bird is good I just did a front conversion on my 56 Mercury


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This is going to be harder than I expected. Eci and Pol don't make a kit for a (B body). Scare bird don't work with 5x4.75 wheels. Only place I found is MP brakes and I have to go with larger wheels.


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Redrill the front rotors to whatever bolt pattern you need


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did a CPP power brake upgrade on my 60 Chevy Sedan Delivery... the car had a nice 79 Camaro front clip to the car added.. had all the 79 Camaro brake stuff, dual stage master cylinder... Replaced the 20 + year old calipers with new ones ... rotors & etc... The CPP power brake upgrade really helped with the stopping power... kit was priced right... had a 62 Bonneville Wagon... may try Ames Performance, Pontiac guys

 

After must thought I've decided to leave the drums on the car and just upgrade the booster and one line master cylinder. I mean the drums work great on the car now. Just have a leaking rear seal on the master. I'm not a speed demon like when I was a younger man. Just want the motor to have a aggressive sounds.


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Find some factory 8 lug aluminum drums. Next best thing to disc brakes.

 

If I remember correctly, that has a 1" bore master cylinder. If it has no booster, and you are adding one, you can step that up to 1-1/8".

Better to have too much brake and not use them, than not enough, and need them.

 

You can buy aftermarket brackets cheap and do a little machining to your existing spindles. Stuffed calipers and rotors from the parts house and you're about 90% there..

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I also say get 8-lugs set-up also and rebuild your entire system, convert to dual master and skip the disc-brakes. I don't think they are any better than the standard GP drums brakes, but they sure are bitchin'!!