i have monster drums now, and want to switch to discs up front. i seen the scarebird kits, but they look cheesey and have no backing plates. what other options do i have? any factorydisc spindles that will bolt up and work?
I'd be more than happy to take those pesky drums if you really don't want them. What's wrong with using the drums? I'm using them on my 60 and it stops just fine. Also, have you check that certain auction site. I'm seeing a lot of spam for disc brake conversion kits for our cars.
I have heard others say Scarebird stuff is quality stuff, I cannot attest to it personally. He is a member of this board so I'm sure he may like to have an opportunity to say something about his product that you are disparaging. As for backing plates, drums have backing plates. Discs have dust shields and for the most part aren't needed.
call anwar at brake tech solutions here in charlotte nc he just did a rearend for a 61 buick.If you need his number I can get it tomorrow. hope this helps RED
i'm not knocking the product from experiance, like you i have no experiance with the stuff. however at first glance i was happy to see the low cost conversions, but most of my buick peers seem to call into question, no dust shields, how exstensive the r&d was, and some said they looked kind of cheesey as well. because of this i was wanting to see if i have other options. lets face it all wheel disc for a few hundred and common parts is a steal if it works good
Man, Scarebird is a pretty kick-*** guy! You should get his number off of his site and call him up. He's cool as hell, and after a few minutes of shootin' the **** with him, you'll know at least 50% more than you expected to , and by the time you hang u you'll have made the choices you needed to on exactly how to go about getting started on your setup. Call him - you'll be glad you did.
Hmmmm... maybe you could take the dust covers off where the calipers and rotors fit and tap a few holes.... not hard at all.... as for your Buick peers, I've heard nothing but good things from mine...
I know this doesn't answer your question but the stock drums on my 62' Lesabre stopped the car great! If you stick with the drums use riveted shoes over bonded. I read they warp the inserts less and it worked for me. Also when my booster died a 65' catalina master/booster ***y. fit it nice . I don't know if 61' is the same.
Cheesy? how is this? We calculated the loads and weight of the vehicle in question, and took into account it's existing hydraulic setup when engineering the brackets. They are laser cut by state of the art CNC machines, professionally welded and most get zinc plating. This setup clears the rims shown - and stops the car better than the drums, even with the existing drum master. Quite a few newer cars have no dust shields (1LE Camaros, Cadillac DeVille for a few) - and would double the cost of the basic kit. On what basis do you slam my stuff ? are you an engineer, a professional metalworker? what?
In Scarebirds defense , I designed brake systems on GM cars several years back - and would not use splash shields on our type of car. Splash shields keep mud , snow , slush, etc. off of the brake parts - primarily for corrosion concerns - but also really cut down on cooling . A racer's first brake modification is to remove them !! Since our cars generally don't see these rotten conditions, I wouldn't (don't) use splash shields , and most update kits don't include them.
Man, if you'd have just called Scarebird... I try to send that guy as much business as I can. I believe in his stuff so wholeheartedly, that I endorse it everywhere I go! I should hit him up for some business cards! ~Jason
I used his brakets on my 1962 Cadillac and I have to say the same about Scarebird he is a pretty kick-*** guy and may car stops killer becaue of his product !!! # 1 in my book.
I agree ,brother. But obviously,from what I have seen and heard, your integrity and credibility precede you! **** a bunch of nay sayers,especially if you know your **** works and is not half ***ed together
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