Classic car restoration is a rewarding endeavor, but it often involves addressing outdated safety features. Among these, the braking system is paramount. Upgrading your Car Brakes is not just about enhancing performance; it’s about ensuring safety in modern driving conditions. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of car brake upgrades for classic cars, drawing upon practical experience and expert knowledge to help you make informed decisions.
The Importance of Brake Upgrades: A Personal Story
Imagine cruising down a scenic road in your beautifully restored classic car, the engine humming, and the scenery blurring by. That was me in my 1966 Ford Galaxie, AM radio playing, enjoying a drive through Mission Hills. However, my nostalgic reverie was abruptly interrupted when I misjudged a series of turns. Before I could fully react, a 1985 Pontiac Ferrero appeared suddenly on my left. Despite slamming on the brakes, the antiquated system struggled, and I ended up with a significant gash on the side of the Pontiac. This incident underscored a critical lesson: classic car brakes, while adequate for their time, often fall short by today’s safety standards. A brake upgrade could have prevented this entire mishap.
The automotive industry has made significant strides in braking technology. The introduction of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 105 in 1967 was a watershed moment, mandating specific performance tests and accelerating the adoption of disc brakes in American cars by the early 1970s. Prior to this, many classic cars relied on single-circuit brake systems, often referred to as “honey jar” or “death pot” master cylinders. These systems were notoriously vulnerable; a failure in any part of the brake line, wheel cylinder, or master cylinder could lead to complete brake failure. Driving a classic car equipped with all-wheel drum brakes requires a significantly longer stopping distance compared to modern vehicles.
Key Considerations Before Your Brake Conversion
Before embarking on a brake conversion, several crucial factors need careful consideration to ensure a successful and safe upgrade.
Wheel Size Compatibility
The first and perhaps most limiting factor is your car’s wheel size. Many classic cars from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s came equipped with 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. These smaller wheel diameters can restrict the size of rotors and calipers you can install when converting from front drum brakes to disc brakes. It’s essential to verify the compatibility of any brake conversion kit with your stock wheels or consider upgrading to larger diameter wheels if necessary.
Proportioning Valve Importance
Another critical component is the proportioning valve. This valve is essential for balanced braking performance, particularly when upgrading to front disc brakes while retaining rear drum brakes. The proportioning valve regulates brake fluid pressure, allowing full pressure to the front disc brakes for optimal stopping power while reducing pressure to the rear drums to prevent premature lock-up. Without a proportioning valve, the rear drum brakes can easily lock up under hard braking, leading to dangerous fishtailing and loss of control.
Brake Booster Requirements
Consider whether you plan to use a brake booster. A brake booster, or power brake booster, utilizes vacuum from the engine’s intake manifold to amplify braking force, making the brake pedal easier to press and improving stopping performance. For a brake booster to function effectively, it typically requires at least 18 inches of mercury (psi) of vacuum from the engine intake manifold. If your classic car has a performance camshaft that reduces engine vacuum, you might need to install an electric vacuum assist pump and canister to provide sufficient vacuum for the brake booster to operate correctly.
Alt text: A 1955 GMC truck showcases an aftermarket electrical vacuum assist system installed to enhance the power brake booster performance, addressing low engine vacuum issues.
Budget and Parts Availability
Budget is always a significant consideration. The market offers a wide range of brake conversion kits, from moderately priced to very expensive, catering to various needs and budgets. When choosing a kit, prioritize companies that ensure long-term parts availability, especially for consumable components like brake pads and rotors. Opting for kits that utilize readily available, modern vehicle parts can simplify future maintenance and reduce costs.
Scarebird Classic Brakes is one such company that stands out by designing kits that utilize modern, easily sourced components. For instance, their 1949-53 Ford front disc brake conversion kit uses rotors from a 1970-73 Mustang and calipers/pads from a 1988-91 Chevrolet or GMC 1500 work truck. These parts are readily available at most auto parts stores, making maintenance straightforward and cost-effective. Furthermore, Scarebird kits are designed to retain the original 15-inch drum wheels and utilize existing mounting hardware, preserving the vehicle’s original alignment and stance.
Common Classic Car Brake Upgrade Options
There are several common and effective brake upgrade paths for classic vehicles, each offering varying levels of improvement and complexity.
1. Dual Master Cylinder and Brake Booster Upgrade (Drum Brakes)
One of the most basic yet impactful upgrades is converting from a single-circuit master cylinder to a dual-circuit master cylinder and adding a brake booster, while retaining the original drum brakes. A dual-circuit master cylinder enhances safety by separating the front and rear brake circuits. If one circuit fails, the other will still function, providing partial braking capability. Adding a brake booster further improves braking performance by reducing pedal effort.
Alt text: A 1955 GMC truck undergoing a master cylinder conversion, illustrating the upgrade to a dual-circuit system for enhanced brake safety and reliability.
A personal experience with a 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 illustrates the benefits of this upgrade. This car, originally equipped with a single-circuit master cylinder and no power brakes, presented a braking challenge. Initially, a direct disc brake conversion kit was sought, but compatibility issues with the stock wheels arose. As an alternative, a 1966 Cadillac dual master cylinder with a brake booster was installed. This was a bolt-in application that significantly improved safety and braking performance, demonstrating the effectiveness of a dual master cylinder and brake booster upgrade even with drum brakes. While new brake lines to the front wheels were necessary, the improvement in braking was remarkable.
2. Front Disc Brake Conversion with Dual Master Cylinder
A more substantial upgrade involves converting the front drum brakes to disc brakes while also upgrading to a dual-circuit master cylinder. This combination offers a significant improvement in stopping power and safety. Front disc brakes provide superior heat dissipation and fade resistance compared to drum brakes, resulting in more consistent and powerful braking performance.
Alt text: Front disc brake conversion on a 1965 Ford Mustang, showcasing the rotor, caliper, and mounting hardware installed to replace the original drum brake system.
A 1965 Mustang project exemplifies this type of conversion. The owner desired to retain the stock steel wheels and avoid modifying the car’s structure to accommodate a brake booster. A suitable kit was found that allowed for a dual master cylinder installation without a booster, utilizing a modern plastic brake reservoir and a later model Mustang proportioning valve. This setup provided a balance of improved braking performance while respecting the car’s original configuration.
3. Four-Wheel Disc Brake Conversion with Dual Master Cylinder
For the ultimate braking performance upgrade, consider converting both front and rear drum brakes to disc brakes, along with a dual-circuit master cylinder. Four-wheel disc brakes offer the highest level of stopping power, heat dissipation, and fade resistance. This is particularly beneficial for high-performance classic cars or those intended for more demanding driving conditions.
Alt text: Rear disc brake conversion on a classic car, highlighting the installation of rotors, calipers, and related components on the rear axle to achieve four-wheel disc braking.
A 1966 Chevy C10 truck project showcases a no-expense-spared approach, opting for a full four-wheel disc brake conversion using Wilwood components and drop spindles. Wilwood is a renowned brand for high-performance braking systems, ideal for vehicles with increased power, such as this C10 equipped with an LS1 engine. While Wilwood systems are premium priced, their superior performance and reliability make them a worthwhile investment for demanding applications.
Conclusion: Brake Upgrades for Safety and Confidence
Ultimately, the best car brake upgrade for your classic car depends on your budget, driving needs, and desired level of performance. Whether you choose a basic dual master cylinder upgrade, a front disc brake conversion, or a complete four-wheel disc brake system, any improvement over the original single-circuit drum brake setup will significantly enhance safety and driving confidence. Investing in brake upgrades is an investment in peace of mind, ensuring your classic car can stop reliably and safely in modern traffic conditions, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ride.
