'61 Drum Brakes Work.....
09-02-2011, 12:53 AM
#22
Drifting
This is dumbest thread I have ever read. Yes, the stock drum brakes will work when following a stock 55 chevy. Following a modern car with discs and wide radials in a panic stop, your next post will be " my car totaled". I have owned my car for 45 years. I have always raced it. After the first run NO brakes. The only way to stop was the transmission. Keep dreaming. 
09-02-2011, 03:57 AM
#23
Team Owner
I have the disc brake conversion on the front of my '61 installed by some previous owner...its an early "kit" and uses 1973 Camaro components bolted up to the original king pin arrangement. It is a notch above drum brakes but just barely.
I just replaced all the parts - rebuilt calipers and new pads on both sides...even so panic stops with this rig are no fun...I keep a healthy following distance from anything...
I just replaced all the parts - rebuilt calipers and new pads on both sides...even so panic stops with this rig are no fun...I keep a healthy following distance from anything...
09-02-2011, 06:56 AM
#24
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It's true, many new cars can stop about twenty feet less than that from 60 mph because of improved tires/suspension, but if you keep your cell phone in your pocket, your eyes on the road and follow the "two second" rule for following distance, your chances of running in to anything because of your skinny tires/drum brakes are practically nil!
When I'm driving out on the road, I never worry about stopping. I do worry about the DA sitting on my back bumper!
09-02-2011, 11:51 AM
#25
Le Mans Master
I have the disc brake conversion on the front of my '61 installed by some previous owner...its an early "kit" and uses 1973 Camaro components bolted up to the original king pin arrangement. It is a notch above drum brakes but just barely.
I just replaced all the parts - rebuilt calipers and new pads on both sides...even so panic stops with this rig are no fun...I keep a healthy following distance from anything...
I just replaced all the parts - rebuilt calipers and new pads on both sides...even so panic stops with this rig are no fun...I keep a healthy following distance from anything...
09-02-2011, 11:52 AM
#26
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This is dumbest thread I have ever read. Yes, the stock drum brakes will work when following a stock 55 chevy. Following a modern car with discs and wide radials in a panic stop, your next post will be " my car totaled". I have owned my car for 45 years. I have always raced it. After the first run NO brakes. The only way to stop was the transmission. Keep dreaming.
Stop holding back Jim.
jp
09-02-2011, 03:57 PM
#27
Drifting
The bottom line: You folks that converted drum to disc have removed a significant part of history from your vehicle without weighing in all the facts. It looks old (drum brakes) and out dated, so it can't be any good or safe, correct? Again, racing disc brakes are superior, as for normal driving on the road as Mike previously stated, using common sense and good driving skills (that should be a given) the drum brakes are equal in most cases. Now the reason you converted guy's are against drum brakes is because you don't want to look bad, why? You devoted a good portion of your hard earnings to something that’s clearly not superior on the street. Resulting in defending your decision making, no one wants to look bad, and for that we understand. Peace!
Just the way I look at it....
rustylugnuts
Just the way I look at it....
rustylugnuts
09-02-2011, 04:22 PM
#28
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St. Jude Donor '07
Frankie, all disc brakes are not created equal. The sliding caliper type single piston disc brake is (as you eloquently pointed out) ALMOST WORTHLESS. Please review the StopTech homepage for description of good and bad disc brakes. All race disc brakes and most hi-performance street disc brakes have multiple pistons pressing performance friction material from both sides of the rotor. The STOCK C2 disc brakes are actually quite good in design and function. However, they are heavy, and prone to corrosion in the piston bores, so most have been sleeved with stainless steel. Interestingly, my racecar uses STOCK C2 disc brakes, while my street car uses more expensive Stoptech 6 piston fronts and 4 piston rears gripping 14" floating two piece rotors
than these.
Bill
09-02-2011, 04:28 PM
#29
Team Owner
Well I've done several classic car disc brake conversions (mostly on early Mustangs) and they seem to have better stopping power than my current C1 conversion. Its not completely awful, and it IS better than drums...but if a previous owner hadn't already done the conversion for me I would have looked for something more efficient for sure.
Right now - I am not intentionally looking for another project...however several have parked themselves at my door recently uninvited.
Right now - I am not intentionally looking for another project...however several have parked themselves at my door recently uninvited.
09-02-2011, 04:42 PM
#30
Drifting
Not to mention the wheel adapter spacers.... Using those puppies would put the tires on the outside of the fender wells 
wow!!! So much for safety, kind of defeating the purpose, that’s like going from the pot into the fire…
rustylugnuts
wow!!! So much for safety, kind of defeating the purpose, that’s like going from the pot into the fire… rustylugnuts
09-02-2011, 05:26 PM
#31
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St. Jude Donor '07
they're billet aluminum and other than having to keep an eye on front wheel bearings, i don't see anything unsafe about them.
Bill
09-02-2011, 05:42 PM
#32
Drifting
How in the h3ll did the front end get soooooooooo short! I heard of tubing out the rear to house over sized tires/racing slicks...... but never the front end.... 
Your not serious....
rustylugnuts
Your not serious....
rustylugnuts
09-02-2011, 06:41 PM
#33
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I wonder how many drum vs disc threads I've seen in my few years here? I'd guess a dozen at least. And they all go on and on and on......boring!
For future reference for anybody so inclined.....check the search function, and read away to your hearts content!.....PLEASE!
For future reference for anybody so inclined.....check the search function, and read away to your hearts content!.....PLEASE!
09-02-2011, 07:11 PM
#34
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I wonder how many drum vs disc threads I've seen in my few years here? I'd guess a dozen at least. And they all go on and on and on......boring!
For future reference for anybody so inclined.....check the search function, and read away to your hearts content!.....PLEASE!
For future reference for anybody so inclined.....check the search function, and read away to your hearts content!.....PLEASE!
There's nothing on this forum or any other old car, automotive forum that hasn't been hashed over a 1000 times over.
09-02-2011, 08:00 PM
#35
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It's not torture, I just skim over the same old, same old. But, for efficiency sake I just wish that any new members would check the archives, and the veteran guys would direct them there to help them out!
Last edited by Kerrmudgeon; 09-02-2011 at 08:05 PM.
09-02-2011, 08:04 PM
#36
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Bill
btw, i have disc brakes on the rear too
and a dual m/c
Last edited by wmf62; 09-03-2011 at 01:44 AM.
09-03-2011, 12:52 AM
#37
Drifting
The bottom line: You folks that converted drum to disc have removed a significant part of history from your vehicle without weighing in all the facts. It looks old (drum brakes) and out dated, so it can't be any good or safe, correct? Again, racing disc brakes are superior, as for normal driving on the road as Mike previously stated, using common sense and good driving skills (that should be a given) the drum brakes are equal in most cases. Now the reason you converted guy's are against drum brakes is because you don't want to look bad, why? You devoted a good portion of your hard earnings to something that’s clearly not superior on the street. Resulting in defending your decision making, no one wants to look bad, and for that we understand. Peace!
Just the way I look at it....
rustylugnuts
Just the way I look at it....
rustylugnuts
My system is from MP 2003, and it stops 500-1000% better than the drum brakes. I run common street pads for cold and hot braking with the common single 70s GM caliper. Not race stuff. If some one's car only works a little better than drums, something in the system is wrong. May be the MC diameter?? I can stop from about 120 in repeated stops in one third the distance of the drum brakes cold. After that no brakes with the drums.
The reason this keeps coming up is, people new to Solid Axle Corvettes ( how is that Tom) do not have the experience that we have had with our cars for 40 plus years. You do not have to read these "boring posts", it is not in the rules. I assume you have had your Solid Axle Corvette for a long time and have tried both systems to give an unbiased opinion on the matter. How many years have you run disc brakes on your car??
As far as normal driving, here in NJ, normal driving is 75-80 mph on the interstate. Any less, and an 18 wheeler will crush you. A panic stop can happen at any time. With drums you are screwed, with a proper disc brake conversion, assuming you reflexes are good, you should be OK.
The skinny tires, bias or radials, and drum brakes, put you at a major disadvantage. Telling new owners that the drum brakes are satisfactory, when their only experience is modern cars , is irresponsible.
Cost was not a factor. In fact, cheap for the performance and safety gain .
Last edited by vetrod62; 09-03-2011 at 01:01 AM.
09-03-2011, 01:19 AM
#38
Live Free or Die
For 99.9% of the people posting here. the OE drum brakes are more than adequate. Multiple 120-0 stops ? Too funny, I'd bet most cars never see over 70 mph, if that.(you know, the truck suspension and all) When is the last time you needed multiple high speed panic stops in a row on the street ?
You probably stand a better chance of getting struck by lightning in a cave, than having an accident caused by drum brakes.
) When is the last time you needed multiple high speed panic stops in a row on the street ? You probably stand a better chance of getting struck by lightning in a cave, than having an accident caused by drum brakes.
09-03-2011, 09:28 AM
#39
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That is just plain BS in so many ways. Screw history, driving the car without crashing or killing yourself is more important.
My system is from MP 2003, and it stops 500-1000% better than the drum brakes.
If some one's car only works a little better than drums, something in the system is wrong.
I can stop from about 120 in repeated stops in one third the distance of the drum brakes cold. After that no brakes with the drums.
As far as normal driving, here in NJ, normal driving is 75-80 mph on the interstate. Any less, and an 18 wheeler will crush you. A panic stop can happen at any time. With drums you are screwed, with a proper disc brake conversion, assuming you reflexes are good, you should be OK.
The skinny tires, bias or radials, and drum brakes, put you at a major disadvantage. Telling new owners that the drum brakes are satisfactory, when their only experience is modern cars , is irresponsible.
My system is from MP 2003, and it stops 500-1000% better than the drum brakes.
If some one's car only works a little better than drums, something in the system is wrong.
I can stop from about 120 in repeated stops in one third the distance of the drum brakes cold. After that no brakes with the drums.
As far as normal driving, here in NJ, normal driving is 75-80 mph on the interstate. Any less, and an 18 wheeler will crush you. A panic stop can happen at any time. With drums you are screwed, with a proper disc brake conversion, assuming you reflexes are good, you should be OK.
The skinny tires, bias or radials, and drum brakes, put you at a major disadvantage. Telling new owners that the drum brakes are satisfactory, when their only experience is modern cars , is irresponsible.
Have you given any thought to mounting a 50 cal. gun turret on your hood and deck lid so you can make these other wackos keep a safe distance? Seems that would be a little more effective than the disc brake conversion.
Last edited by MikeM; 09-03-2011 at 09:32 AM.
09-03-2011, 09:31 AM
#40
Drifting
That is just plain BS in so many ways. Screw history, driving the car without crashing or killing yourself is more important. What about getting into the steering colume stuff?? You can always put it back to stock when you decide to make it a museum piece.
My system is from MP 2003, and it stops 500-1000% better than the drum brakes. I run common street pads for cold and hot braking with the common single 70s GM caliper. Not race stuff. If some one's car only works a little better than drums, something in the system is wrong. May be the MC diameter?? I can stop from about 120 in repeated stops in one third the distance of the drum brakes cold. After that no brakes with the drums.
The reason this keeps coming up is, people new to Solid Axle Corvettes ( how is that Tom) do not have the experience that we have had with our cars for 40 plus years. You do not have to read these "boring posts", it is not in the rules. I assume you have had your Solid Axle Corvette for a long time and have tried both systems to give an unbiased opinion on the matter. How many years have you run disc brakes on your car??
As far as normal driving, here in NJ, normal driving is 75-80 mph on the interstate. Any less, and an 18 wheeler will crush you. A panic stop can happen at any time. With drums you are screwed, with a proper disc brake conversion, assuming you reflexes are good, you should be OK.
The skinny tires, bias or radials, and drum brakes, put you at a major disadvantage. Telling new owners that the drum brakes are satisfactory, when their only experience is modern cars , is irresponsible.
Cost was not a factor. In fact, cheap for the performance and safety gain .
My system is from MP 2003, and it stops 500-1000% better than the drum brakes. I run common street pads for cold and hot braking with the common single 70s GM caliper. Not race stuff. If some one's car only works a little better than drums, something in the system is wrong. May be the MC diameter?? I can stop from about 120 in repeated stops in one third the distance of the drum brakes cold. After that no brakes with the drums.
The reason this keeps coming up is, people new to Solid Axle Corvettes ( how is that Tom) do not have the experience that we have had with our cars for 40 plus years. You do not have to read these "boring posts", it is not in the rules. I assume you have had your Solid Axle Corvette for a long time and have tried both systems to give an unbiased opinion on the matter. How many years have you run disc brakes on your car??
As far as normal driving, here in NJ, normal driving is 75-80 mph on the interstate. Any less, and an 18 wheeler will crush you. A panic stop can happen at any time. With drums you are screwed, with a proper disc brake conversion, assuming you reflexes are good, you should be OK.
The skinny tires, bias or radials, and drum brakes, put you at a major disadvantage. Telling new owners that the drum brakes are satisfactory, when their only experience is modern cars , is irresponsible.
Cost was not a factor. In fact, cheap for the performance and safety gain .
rustylugnuts