Cheap Brakes ???

[MikeJ67]

Hi guys,
I've got a '67 Camaro with a small block. My wife has now deemed the car hers. Here's my dilemma. I've got the full pro touring suspension sitting in the shop. 4 wheel CPP Big Brake kit. NOW that I'm not going to be driving this car and is has factory power drum brakes (all new when I bought the car) what is a cheap(er) way to just add front disc brakes to the wife can comfortably drive the car around? I'm not trying to sound cheap or anything, but I've already got $4500 sitting on the floor and she told me to buy (and build) another car for my self.

Is there a quick fix for this? Or am I destined to put the good stuff on her car - even thought she'll never drive it like it's supposed to be driving with all the new stuff.

Thanks

[BonzoHansen]

So the car needs brakes, your wife drives it, and you have brakes. But you want to save them for a car you might buy? Making sure I read this right.

$4500 in CPP parts is more than brakes I'd assume.

[MuscleRodz]

No to be offensive, but I don't consider CPP the good stuff. That's the cheaper stuff mostly from overseas, and $4500 is probably the entire CPP suspension and brakes. Don't get me wrong, it works ok, and I have a friend that puts their stuff on a lot of cars he builds. If you want to just put stock discs on there, call CPP back and order up a stock disc brake conversion kit spindles out with correct prop valve.

[bryant]

A simple disk brake conversion kit that uses the stock disk brake stuff will work perfectly.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/disc-brake-kits/year/1969/make/chevrolet/model/camaro

[a67]

What bryant said. May even be able to find take-offs for very few dollars. Bob.

[Typhoon1015]

super cheap would be ls1 camaro take offs for all 4. You can source all parts through rock auto or junk yards. I would keep the CPP stuff for her car, and get a higher end brand if the budget allowed for yours. Stoptech, Baer, Wilwood, Brembo etc.

[BlackHD]

I have c5 z06 brakes for sale. Front and rear. PM if interested.

[cornfedbill]

The factory 11 inch disc setup is the cheapest. You can buy a complete kit like Bryce suggested, or look for some used parts to save some money. I took the brackets from an old Monte Carlo in the local boneyard.

I would just rebuild the rear drums. I bought all the hardware except drums, including the shoes, but went a different direction. If the drums are the same as a 74 Nova and you want a deal on the hardware, let me know.

[stab6902]

The factory power drums will be perfectly adequate for cruising / street driving, especially on a small block car. If they're not "comfortable," there's something wrong with them. I've driven a lot of these cars with a variety of brake configurations, and the power 4-wheel drums actually require less pedal effort than the factory power disc/drum setup. Drums are self energizing, and discs aren't.

Factory discs would get you slightly better anti-fade performance, looks, and serviceability if those are top priorities. Remember that you'll have to change the master cylinder and add a proportioning (or combo) valve if going to a disc/drum setup.

[MikeJ67]

Yeah, drum brakes are all new from backing plates out. There just doesn't seem to be a good adjustment to keep them from pulling. I can drive it fine since I know what to expect.
Yes, the $4500 includes front & rear suspension and the big brake kit with chrome calipers. Drop spindles, new coil springs, I also had a 10 bolt built with posi & new gears since the 4 whl disc set up had to pull the axles out first.
After reading it of course, now it sounds like I would let the wife drive the car with no brakes. =) Just hate to spend the money twice "IF" I find another project. Oh well, once the motor runs in the next few days and I take it out to see what the difference is of the new HP and tranny - then I'll probably just swap all of the suspension parts this next winter. Might as well make hers as nice as can be.
Thanks everyone.

[a67]

The other problem with drums up front is water. Get a little water in the drums and the brakes go away, scary the first time it happens. When I got my '67 it was 4-wheel power drums. And yes, when caught in the rain need to keep this in mind and plan an escape route.

Found stock replacement front disc's from a '69 GTO (free). Everything just bolted up, no fab, no modifications. Used the stock 1" drum M/C, be sure to pull the residual check valve out from the outlet for the disc brakes.

Instead of adding a proportioning valve I swapped the rear wheel cylinders to slightly smaller ones from a Monza (they are bolt in and the rear drums needed to be rebuilt). Done.

Note about the "stock replacement." The '69 brakes with the D52 caliper isn't stock for a '67, as in that year (and '68?) GM used a 4 piston fixed caliper. You don't want these unless doing a concurs resto.

With the number of folks going with big brake upgrades there is a bunch of the stock disc brake systems out there. And they can come from other cars besides 1st gen f-bodys.

Will need the spindles, rotors, hub (if separate), calipers, caliper mounting brackets, and hoses.

Bob