Brakes

[bigleaguer6]

I have a 1968 SS 396, just need some information and recomendations on a disk brake upgrade. Any suggestion would be helpful.

[highlandlake]

Lots of options out there - from getting used spindles/calipers/rotors and master cylinders and boosters, to brand new 'everything included' kits that just bolt on and just need to be filled with brake fluid and bled.
All sorts of thing in between like half new stuff and half used. Spindles can be purchased used with little worry about condition.
The best price I saw for plug and play kits was around $1100. The best used set up I saw was $575, not including brake lines. (front & rear) Depends on your know how and budget which route to go. But either way, the value of your car will go up accordingly with disc brakes. Seems nobody really can feel safe in a vehicle in today's traffic with drum brakes. Any other opinions?

[mdcamaro]

Ask yourself: Who will do the work? Do you have special need, towing, drag racing, etc.? What do you want to spend? All four or just front? Answer these in a list you will get a better responce.

[bigleaguer6]

I plan to do most of the work myself, and I would like to replace all four assemblies. I would mostly be doing casual driving with a few drags every now and then, but its not strictly a drag car. I just want to be able to stop without having to stand on the brake. What are some of the better brands and kits?

[mdcamaro]

http://www.p-s-t.com/gm/gmfdbkconv.html

This site will show you the average kit that is availible to you. Summit and Jegs sell kits. Some of these kits will let you use stock drum brake spindals others offer 2" drop spindals. Check Year One site.

My suggestion is to go with at least a 12" rotor a 396 is a lot of weight on the front. I used 11" from a Nova but I run a small block.

If you can come up with a donor car use the calipers for cores.

PS did you check your front end in general? Control arms and bushings, ball joints, tie rods, springs, shocks, drag link... Now would be the time to do it right.

[molhannah]

Here's your donor car list with disc brakes.
BUICK- 69-72 CENTURY, REGAL, SKYLARK, SPECIAL, GS
CHEVROLET- 69 CAMARO,
69-72 CHEVELLE, EL CAMINO, MALIBU
69-74 CHEY II, NOVA, CONCOURS
OLDS- 69-72 CUTLASS, F85, 442, VISTA CRUISER
73-74 OMEGA
PONTIAC- 69 FIREBIRD
69-72 GRAND PRIX, GTO, LEMANS, TEMPEST, GRAND AM
71-74 PHOENIX, VENTURA
GMC-69-74 SPRINT, CABALLERO

If you do this yourself you will save a lot and it's easy. All these cars have what you need to swap out the fronts. Be sure to get the spindles , rotors, calipers, backplates, master cyl., porporsioning valve and steel lines. Replace rubber hoses with new.