are the 63-64 drum brakes really bad?
03-17-2010, 03:20 PM
#21
Le Mans Master
Actually, I've always thought that the drum brake setup on the mid-year Corvettes was one of the best drum brake systems made in it's day. Nothing at all wrong with drum brakes. From a design standpoint, I don't think they're quite as good as a properly designed disc brake system, but that's not to say that they're not a good system.
Just as the fuel injection systems currently used on most modern cars is in general better than the carburetor it replaced, that's not to say that properly carbureted systems are "bad"! Something better just came along, same as with drum and disc brakes, at least in my opinion.
Drive on with drum brakes and never give it a second thought . . . . .
Just as the fuel injection systems currently used on most modern cars is in general better than the carburetor it replaced, that's not to say that properly carbureted systems are "bad"! Something better just came along, same as with drum and disc brakes, at least in my opinion.
Drive on with drum brakes and never give it a second thought . . . . .
03-17-2010, 04:06 PM
#22
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a story about brake lock up.
Driving my 63 swc about 10 years ago, going about 60 mph and without warning, all lanes in my direction dead stop. Jamming on brakes full strenght, one rear (passenger side) wheel locked up. Car made an adrupt (and I mean adrupt) 90 degree (right) turn and off the parkway to the grass. If I had stabilized or correct adjusted brakes, I would have smashed head on to the stopped traffic. I got way with no damage and tread (steelbelt) separation on the locked wheel. Go figure! I was lucky. All stories of straight line stops in bad situations dont hold true! Someone was watching over me! Regards,Abe G
03-17-2010, 04:19 PM
#23
Race Director
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The OP is in Florida!
He will need the disc brakes garunteeed (to stop very quickly when the old pharts pull right out in front of you).
Plasticman
He will need the disc brakes garunteeed (to stop very quickly when the old pharts pull right out in front of you).
Plasticman
03-17-2010, 05:35 PM
#24
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Can we hear from any guys that live in the mountains? I plan on driving my mid-year (havent bought one yet) a lot in Vermont and New Hampshire.( Lots of mountains and curves for those who havent been there). On some of the roads I have traveled, I have experienced brake fade ( if thats the right term) on my car with disc brakes. On a steep decline with lots of curves when you are getting on the brakes, they dont grab as well after a while and you can actually smell them. I am leery of getting a midyear with drums because of this. Anyone from a mountain state care to chime in on this?
Mike
Mike
03-17-2010, 05:50 PM
#25
Safety Car
Another possible consideration: An upgrade to semi metallic brake linings will enhance overall braking performance with a drum brake system. That's been my experience. .. Old phart...................over and out! . . 
03-17-2010, 06:01 PM
#26
Le Mans Master
Can we hear from any guys that live in the mountains? I plan on driving my mid-year (havent bought one yet) a lot in Vermont and New Hampshire.( Lots of mountains and curves for those who havent been there). On some of the roads I have traveled, I have experienced brake fade ( if thats the right term) on my car with disc brakes. On a steep decline with lots of curves when you are getting on the brakes, they dont grab as well after a while and you can actually smell them. I am leery of getting a midyear with drums because of this. Anyone from a mountain state care to chime in on this?
Mike
Mike
Another mountain issue on carburated cars. Vapor lock.
03-17-2010, 06:08 PM
#27
Team Owner
I'm looking age 59 in the eye in two months...birthday is on flag day (June 14th) for those considering gifts.....I'm still looking for those C1 hubcaps that will spin by themselves at stop lights (hint, hint).
I basically agreed with most that drums are fine for the occasional driver...I wouldn't do daily driving without discs...and the C1 drums aren't self adjusting either so you have to stay on top of that. As to using 20 year old and up cars as daily drivers, I don't know why that's a problem at all.
I also don't care how heavy a car the drums were designed for as that can be overcome by aggressive driving Force=Mass X Acceleration if I remember my high school physics. And why is locking up the brakes an indicator of stopping ability ? In many cases that's the last thing you want to do...
I basically agreed with most that drums are fine for the occasional driver...I wouldn't do daily driving without discs...and the C1 drums aren't self adjusting either so you have to stay on top of that. As to using 20 year old and up cars as daily drivers, I don't know why that's a problem at all.
I also don't care how heavy a car the drums were designed for as that can be overcome by aggressive driving Force=Mass X Acceleration if I remember my high school physics. And why is locking up the brakes an indicator of stopping ability ? In many cases that's the last thing you want to do...
03-17-2010, 06:12 PM
#28
Le Mans Master
Let's face it. They hardly install drums anymore for a good reason. If you want the best brakes on your Vette. Get disc. The rest is acedemic. 
03-17-2010, 06:22 PM
#29
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It's an indicator of stopping ability with regards to being able to overpower the tires and as stated previously, the tires are the weak link of stopping ability in that respect.
Brakes designed for heavier cars and then installed on lighter cars generally mean the bigger brakes will absorb more stops on the lighter car before fading. I.E., the larger car was deemed "safe" with those brakes. A lighter car would be "safer" from a fade standpoint.
Last edited by MikeM; 03-18-2010 at 08:16 AM.
03-17-2010, 07:20 PM
#30
03-17-2010, 07:30 PM
#31
Anyone in the market for a set of finned aluminum drums?
03-17-2010, 07:51 PM
#33
Le Mans Master
Hi Canute. Sears Point turns 7 and 11 have concrete wall runoff areas. Please come run with me into those turns with your drum brakes irrespective of modern pad material. Trust me, if the C1 Corvette RACEcars could run discs.....they would sell their mothers to do so.
03-17-2010, 08:55 PM
#34
Le Mans Master
They'd be more fuel efficient right? Better gas mileage, which lends itself to a greener community.For all of you old pharts out there, when you were wet behind the ears, how many of the cars you had, beat the pizz out of, drove totally over the edge, had disc brakes??? How many times did they fail?? I guess if you're posting here, they seemed to do alright.
My first car was a '71 Chevelle that had manual drums. I felt more comfortable with that car than any other I have had. Not sure why, maybe because it was my first car... But I could always count on the brakes doing what they needed to do... And you really don't need to know what I did with that car
Man i wish it wouldn't have rusted away....
03-17-2010, 10:02 PM
#35
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By the by boys, rear drum brakes are still quite common on new vehicles, and if your driving through the mountains with an old drummer car, that's what those scenic lookouts are for, get out enjoy the fresh air, and let 'em cooooolll down, whats the farging rush...!
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03-17-2010, 10:46 PM
#36
Melting Slicks
Disc brakes are much better than drum. I can't compare the 2. If I wasn't so **** about keeping my car OEM I would have a set of all round disc brakes at a blink of an eye.
I converted my Mustang to disc and the difference is chalk and cheese. Drums are ok, discs are the bees knees. My 2 cents ! Stewy
I converted my Mustang to disc and the difference is chalk and cheese. Drums are ok, discs are the bees knees. My 2 cents ! Stewy
03-17-2010, 11:05 PM
#38
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BEES KNEES and CHALK AND CHEESE in the same reply. Now WHO could top that! I must go walkabout down your way before I croak, mate. thanks for the cultural bits.
~~~~CANADIAN
BEER RULES~~~~
~~~~CANADIAN
BEER RULES~~~~
03-17-2010, 11:13 PM
#39
By the by boys, rear drum brakes are still quite common on new vehicles, and if your driving through the mountains with an old drummer car, that's what those scenic lookouts are for, get out enjoy the fresh air, and let 'em cooooolll down, whats the farging rush...!
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03-17-2010, 11:18 PM
#40
Le Mans Master
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Hi Canute. Sears Point turns 7 and 11 have concrete wall runoff areas. Please come run with me into those turns with your drum brakes irrespective of modern pad material. Trust me, if the C1 Corvette RACEcars could run discs.....they would sell their mothers to do so.