Question?

[SILVERBK80]

I have a base model 1980 firebird with upgrades to the drivetrain and I would like to increase my stopping power with the lowest cost to my pockets. My question-Can i achieve this goal by upgrading stock front disc with larger rotors and larger calibers? Can I get by with this without changing the boosters? If so, what type or style do you recommend that is low cost to my pockets? In the future I would like to convert the rear drum to disc but for now I want to focus on the front. I do believe I have a size 11 in rotors on the front, i hoping to increase the size to 13in. Thank you in advance for your assistance! Any input you can provide would be deeply appreciated.


Silverbk84

[a67]

The least cost option would be to install and bed some good brake pads. Something along the lines of StopTech Street Performance pads are a good choice.

Bob.

[SILVERBK80]

Thanks Bob!

[Skip Fix]

Any bigger rotors up front is generally going to need a larger wheel. The B body spindles for 12" (actually about 11.88) rotors can fit a 15" wheel. Using a late 80s early 90s Camaro 1LE rotor(or redrilling a B body rotor for 4 3/4 bolt pattern) will give you a little bigger rotor that can fit a 15" wheel if larger are not in the budget yet. That and a good pad.

The 96 Impala "police" D614 pad is larger that the stock D52 pad and will fit the caliper and can be used even on the stock 11" rotor. I know Hawk makes a D614 pad so they are available in a good pad. So as a67 said a good pad will help as well as soem good shoes. When I was running disc/drum with semi metallics back in the day I could still lock up the rears on heavy braking so an adjustable prop valve in the rear line can help tune in your system.

There are also companies that make a better performance drum compunds if you are keeping those.

[SILVERBK80]

I will try this, thanks for your help.

[SSLance]

I'm running EBCYellowstuffR brake pads on stock 10.5" rotors and a 2.75" single piston caliper and my car stops like crazy. The EBCs are a great street pad plus when it gets hot on the track it really starts to grip.

[Apogee]

The easiest way to increase brake torque (stopping power) is to run a higher CoF compound pad, as suggested above. The easiest way to add brake capacity would be to increase rotor size, diameter and/or thickness. Given the application, you could opt for Skip's suggestion to swap over to a 12" nominal GM tall spindle and inherit the bigger brakes along with it, however given your location of Japan, that's probably not going to be as simple as heading down to a local wrecking yard.

What's the intended use for the car?

Tobin
KORE3

[SILVERBK80]

My intentions is for street use on the weekends and possibly so track action. Thank you for your input.