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Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? #111830
08/28/08 08:31 PM
08/28/08 08:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,721
Eugene, OR
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FuryBoy Offline OP
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FuryBoy  Offline OP
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Eugene, OR
So, I am getting ready to install a scarebird disk brake swap w/ 11.75 cordoba rotors and chevy calipers.

I need to do something with the master cylinder, so I was thinking the lightweight aluminum master cylinder but from what I've read it's a manual swap only.

Currently I have power 11 inch drums. So, should I got for the manual brake swap? I really would like to drop a few pounds off, but my experiences with manual disk brakes have not been good.

would an adjustable prop valve and a smaller master cylinder help?

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryBoy] #111831
08/29/08 11:54 AM
08/29/08 11:54 AM
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Posts: 3,336
Summit, NJ
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whiplash Offline
master
whiplash  Offline
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Summit, NJ
I have changed the 2 b bodies I've owned over to manual from power. First was a 70 charger, loved the manual discs. ended up being a racecar.

The currently owned 67 coroent eis still my daily driver, 4000#, manual steering and manual brakes, loves them both. I like the road feel in the brake pedal. I have the 12" rotors and caliper adapters on 76 a body spindles. Will never go back to power brakes.

On the other hand I seem to be the only one, all my friends hate my brakes, but they all drive chevys......


  • 67 coronet 4dr, 383/727/GVOD, blown, EFI, daily driver
  • 230/238, 114°LSA cam, 1.6 rollers, 9:1 comp, 8 psi boost
  • NEW BEST ET - 12.40@110mph...
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: whiplash] #111832
08/29/08 12:41 PM
08/29/08 12:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,472
Overland Park, KS.
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Joshs68 Offline
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Joshs68  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,472
Overland Park, KS.
I have manual front discs on my 68 and they work great. I just used the mopar parts swap from the tech section.

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: Joshs68] #111833
08/29/08 01:33 PM
08/29/08 01:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,945
roanoke va
kbcuda Offline
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roanoke va
I love manual discs...too cushy with power...contact dr. diff for a master cylinder....

4650379-mopar060.jpg (112 downloads)
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: kbcuda] #111834
08/30/08 05:10 AM
08/30/08 05:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,728
places
7
79powerwagon Offline
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79powerwagon  Offline
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places
Yes, no need for power disks on a car, really. And I have an extra brand new aluminum MC with billet adapter that I'm not going to use.

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryBoy] #111835
08/30/08 07:42 AM
08/30/08 07:42 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,879
Ontario, Canada
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Stanton Offline
Don't question me!
Stanton  Offline
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Ontario, Canada
Years ago I swapped the power brakes out and put in the Mopar aluminum master. The car is an original disk brake b-body. The braking left a lot to be desired - took a lot of effort to stop. However that was long before the internet and this website and from what I've since read I'm thinking the problem is probably the rod is using the wrong pedal hole. The car hasn't been driven in 24 years but before it goes on th road again I plan to take a look at that.

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryBoy] #111836
08/30/08 08:01 AM
08/30/08 08:01 AM
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Posts: 4,558
Montana
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FuryUs Offline
master
FuryUs  Offline
master
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Posts: 4,558
Montana
Manual.

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryUs] #111837
08/30/08 08:18 AM
08/30/08 08:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,432
Warren, MI
71TA Offline
I Live Here
71TA  Offline
I Live Here

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Posts: 12,432
Warren, MI
Changed to manual brakes AND steering in my 470" Challenger. Less clutter in the engine well! Works great. Parallel parking is a bear but I always hated parallel parking and always park at the end of the lot anyway.

Go manual. Less clutter. Less problems. No wories about cam duration or vacuum signal.


www.DetroitMuscleTechnologies.com Mopar body and heater box restoration gaskets
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryBoy] #111838
08/30/08 09:18 AM
08/30/08 09:18 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,964
Pizza Bucket
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snuggles Offline
master
snuggles  Offline
master
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,964
Pizza Bucket
manual steering and brakes and collecting parts for a 4 speed

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryBoy] #111839
08/30/08 09:53 AM
08/30/08 09:53 AM
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Posts: 6,816
Alton, IL
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Dakota_Don Offline
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Alton, IL
keep in mind the bore size of the MC, bigger isnt always better..

http://www.mpbrakes.com/technical-support/troubleshooting-disc-drum-06.cfm

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: Dakota_Don] #111840
08/30/08 12:14 PM
08/30/08 12:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
3
383man Offline
Too Many Posts
383man  Offline
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Balt. Md
My son has manual disc on his Dart and it stops fine even from his 117 mph runs it stops with ease. My 63 has stock power drums and I left them on the car. Even with the MP .557 cam my power brakes work fine and it also stops fine from 116 mph runs. I drive it all over on the street and they work fine for normal street driving. Ron

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: 383man] #111841
08/30/08 05:38 PM
08/30/08 05:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ
njdevil2 Offline
mopar
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mopar

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Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ
So, if I read this right, I need a new master cylinder if I take the power booster off. Do I need a different push rod for the pedal to the master cylinder? And can I use the aluminum master that Ehrenberg sells?


1970 road runner Convertible
1 of 179
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: njdevil2] #111842
08/31/08 01:03 PM
08/31/08 01:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ
njdevil2 Offline
mopar
njdevil2  Offline
mopar

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ


1970 road runner Convertible
1 of 179
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: njdevil2] #111843
08/31/08 01:33 PM
08/31/08 01:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,780
Alabama
Mopar-Al Offline
master
Mopar-Al  Offline
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Posts: 6,780
Alabama
I got manual disc brakes. You can get a manual disc brake cylinder for a 70 barracuda at car quest for like 35 bucks, then you need a manual brake rod, and the firewall plate for manual brakes. I have no stopping issues since I dont run in the traffic jams with my muscle car and dont drive like im on a road corse either

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryBoy] #111844
08/31/08 01:40 PM
08/31/08 01:40 PM
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Posts: 1,534
North Texas
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oleman Offline
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North Texas
I have all stock parts manual disk brakes on our 73 440 727 dart.
I like the manual disks. When you mash the pedal you actually have brake feel.
Stops fine but the pedal is always full, ie not much freeplay.

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: oleman] #111845
08/31/08 01:52 PM
08/31/08 01:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ
njdevil2 Offline
mopar
njdevil2  Offline
mopar

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Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ
I'm really considering removing the power booster from my '73 Satellite. I need to remove it for painting anyway, I just never liked power brakes.
So, I just need to find the rod and an adapter to the master cylinder. I don't want to butcher it, though. That's why I was wondering about the aluminum cylinder. I'm putting the car on a diet....


1970 road runner Convertible
1 of 179
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: njdevil2] #111846
08/31/08 03:34 PM
08/31/08 03:34 PM
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Posts: 4,558
Montana
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FuryUs Offline
master
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Montana
If you go with the aluminum MC, I think you need an adaptor plate to go from 4 bolt mounting to 2 bolt.

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: whiplash] #111847
08/31/08 03:53 PM
08/31/08 03:53 PM
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Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
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Circle Track
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Lincoln Nebraska
Quote:

On the other hand I seem to be the only one,ll my friends hate my brakes, but they all drive chevys......


Friends do not let friends drive chebbies. If you've been convinced to switch all you need is a 7/8" bore 2 bolt alum MC with the recess in the back for the rubber retainer, the rubber retainer(I've used a piece of vac line) & the manual pushrod. If there's a proportioning problem you can sort that out later & good chance you'll be fine as is.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: RapidRobert] #111848
08/31/08 09:16 PM
08/31/08 09:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,721
Eugene, OR
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FuryBoy Offline OP
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Eugene, OR
So, I ordered all my parts from Zippy...

I got the master cylinder, adapter and adjustable prop valve from him... All I need to order is the manual brake pushrod from Master Power brakes...

Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: FuryBoy] #111849
09/01/08 10:39 AM
09/01/08 10:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ
njdevil2 Offline
mopar
njdevil2  Offline
mopar

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Posts: 457
Hightstown, NJ
MP has a convertion kit for $160, with the iron master cylinder. I wonder if they sell it without the master? Unless Zippy PM's me. I'll call MP 2morrow!


1970 road runner Convertible
1 of 179
Re: Should I go to manual brakes or keep power? [Re: njdevil2] #111850
09/01/08 02:47 PM
09/01/08 02:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
MoparMarq Offline
super stock
MoparMarq  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
Quote:

I'm really considering removing the power booster from my '73 Satellite. I need to remove it for painting anyway, I just never liked power brakes.
So, I just need to find the rod and an adapter to the master cylinder. I don't want to butcher it, though. That's why I was wondering about the aluminum cylinder. I'm putting the car on a diet....




My '72 is on a diet also. And I have done the same thing that you're planning on. You will need some parts though.

Use the same brake pedal.

The new manual master gets mounted in a slightly different location than the power booster. The manual (IIRC) is mounted slightly lower than the power booster. The power unit has a lever linkage in the pedal assembly than provides the plunger travel for the booster to operate the m/c in the power brakes setup. On the manual setup, the m/c is mounted lower to take advantage of the pedal ratio to operate the m/c plunger with enough force to provide satisfactory braking. Because of the slightly different location, you will need a brake master cylinder reinforcement plate that I believe is not on the power booster assembly. You may be able to get one off a donor manual brake car (disc or drum should work), or perhaps (I haven't looked into it in ages) someone is reproducing them. You may be able to make one up. If you don't have it, you'll have a gap in the firewall just above the m/c.

Also, along with the different m/c, you'll need a new pushrod. There are adjustable ones available in the aftermarket. Sorry, I can't remember where I picked mine up, but it might have been Mancini or Greg at MagnumHP. Make sure the pushrod has the rubber retaining grommet to keep it from falling out of the m/c piston.

I don't have a good picture of my firewall handy.
I might be able to post pics in a few days.

Good luck.

Marq

Pic of M/C, adapter bracke and firewall reinforce plate [Re: MoparMarq] #111851
09/03/08 01:57 PM
09/03/08 01:57 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
MoparMarq Offline
super stock
MoparMarq  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
Took some pics the other day.

This one is of the m/c. You can see the adapter bracket in polish behind it. IIRC, the bracket is made by AndyF, sold by a number of dealers, one of whom is GregHP here on Moparts. (www.magnumhp.com).
Behind the adapter bracket is the reinforcing plate that covers the otherwise gap that would exist when you remove the power brakes booster assembly. I don't know that it actually does much "reinforcing", since the force on the firewall (from the brake pedal) is outward toward the engine rather than inward toward the cabin.
Might be some inward force also from the torque applied by the pedal/master cylinder assembly.


The reinforcing plate on my car is used and, though it doesn't show in the pic, was pitted and needed a lot of TLC to get it into reasonable shape. You might be able to fab one that fits the bill.

The adapter bracket has the studs that go through the firewall and pedal assembly brackets under the dash to provide the strength to the setup.

The m/c is a MP unit 1-1/32" bore. Don't know how I like the pedal feel, as the car is not on the road yet. Statically, the pedal is nice and firm, (to my liking) but the stopping power is still unknown.

-Marq

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