1967 mustang brake conversion question
#1
1967 mustang brake conversion question
I just purchased a 67 mustang (restored) and want to put some disc brakes on the front. It has a 289 automatic, power steering, manual drum brakes (will be putting a 5spd in later). I mostly just drive the car around town and on the highway, it will never see the track or racing at all. Would a manual front disc brake make a huge difference? If someone could give me some kit names and prices to look for I would greatly appreciate it. The cheaper the better as I spent most of my money on the car itself, lol. Thanks in advance!
#3
I have CSRP kit on mine. It comes in a kit for 530 and includes everything you will need. Give Dennis a call and he will answer all of your questions. Very helpful, professional and knowledgeable.
It stops great and best of all it does not fade and it stops in a straight line. The best mod I did on the 66 for performance and safety.
http://www.discbrakeswap.com/
It stops great and best of all it does not fade and it stops in a straight line. The best mod I did on the 66 for performance and safety.
http://www.discbrakeswap.com/
#4
I also have a CSRP kit. The one that would best suit your car is the OE-style KH setup. It comes with everything you need, minus hard lines and fluid. Unlike most other kits, it doesn't require you to replace the spindles, and all of the replacement parts are OE for your car. This means you can walk into a parts store and ask for brake pads and rotors for a '67 Mustang rather than a Granada, S10, Ranger, etc.
However, to answer your first question, disc brakes are not absolutely necessary given your intended use. I drove my car as a daily driver for 7 years with manual drums. They take a little getting used to, but they do stop the car quick enough. As long as they're functioning properly, you may consider keeping them on the car until later down the road.
Disc brakes won't necessarily shorten your stopping distance. What they will do is give you more control over braking. Braking is smoother, straight (a concern with drum brakes), and easier to modulate with disc brakes. Was it worth the swap for me? Definitely. But I admit it would be overkill for someone who didn't drive their car as hard as I drive mine.
Basically, think about it first. If your brakes are in good operating condition, you may focus on other areas of the car first. But if you're interested in beefing up the motor and suspension and driving the car harder, you're going to need disc brakes.
However, to answer your first question, disc brakes are not absolutely necessary given your intended use. I drove my car as a daily driver for 7 years with manual drums. They take a little getting used to, but they do stop the car quick enough. As long as they're functioning properly, you may consider keeping them on the car until later down the road.
Disc brakes won't necessarily shorten your stopping distance. What they will do is give you more control over braking. Braking is smoother, straight (a concern with drum brakes), and easier to modulate with disc brakes. Was it worth the swap for me? Definitely. But I admit it would be overkill for someone who didn't drive their car as hard as I drive mine.
Basically, think about it first. If your brakes are in good operating condition, you may focus on other areas of the car first. But if you're interested in beefing up the motor and suspension and driving the car harder, you're going to need disc brakes.
#5
+1, straight braking. my drums were always pulling on the steering wheel. adjusted them plenty of times, but it always came back. no issue with discs in front so far. i had to change them for the reason my drums were 6cyl (tiny) and that just didn't match the V8.
#6
The brakes were just redone on the car before I bought it, new drums and lines, and it stops really good. I was just wondering if there is a big difference between drums to disc. I want to put a 5spd in the car, which I might do first now.
#7
However, to answer your first question, disc brakes are not absolutely necessary given your intended use. I drove my car as a daily driver for 7 years with manual drums. They take a little getting used to, but they do stop the car quick enough. As long as they're functioning properly, you may consider keeping them on the car until later down the road.
Disc brakes won't necessarily shorten your stopping distance. What they will do is give you more control over braking. Braking is smoother, straight (a concern with drum brakes)
Disc brakes won't necessarily shorten your stopping distance. What they will do is give you more control over braking. Braking is smoother, straight (a concern with drum brakes)
#8
Very true. Remember the limiting factor of your stopping distance is your tires and the weight of your car. After two hard high speed stops, discs will perform much better. My .02 is go for the 5 spd first- you'll love the steeper first gear, the gas mileage bump, and noise reduction on the highway that allows a conversation again.
Often people change to disc brakes because the manual drums are 'hard'. Newsflash- discs are 'harder', because the calipers require higher pressure, that's why such systems require a proportioning valve. The type of driving you describe implies you want the brakes to be 'easier'. If so, just put power boost on them. It's period correct, this was optional at the time.
Last edited by 2+2GT; 07-31-2010 at 10:57 AM.
#10
For those of you that put a 5spd in your car, did you use a cable clutch setup or a hydraulic clutch. My friends has the complete package with a cable clutch he used in his 67 cougar, which he is willing to give me. Just wondering what the pro's and con's are of each. Thanks.