Choosing brake components

[jaybee]

What's a good procedure for choosing brake components to use outside their original application? Obviously the easiest path is a call to StopTech, Wilwood, or one of the other aftermarket brake suppliers, but at this point that isn't in my future. The alternative is to apply OEM technology away from its original home. This is where I'm a little concerned.

For my own project ('57 Chevy) the usual option is to use early A/G body GM 11" disks because they are commonly available, inexpensive, and will convert the Tri5 spindle to tapered roller bearings. So far so good, although larger disks would handle more heat. Matching front brakes with rear is my concern. Builders will handle rear brakes in any fashion from keeping the original, manual-adjust drums to bolting up a disk brake Camaro rear, with an adjustable proportioning valve to prevent premature rear lockup. In my own case I'd like to use a disk brake Explorer 8.8" rear.

Just cranking down the proportioning valve strikes me as a band-aide fix that keeps the tail from coming around at the expense of longer stops. I can't escape the feeling that there has to be a way to balance lock up front to rear through proper component selection so that the proportioning valve isn't so critical to making the car stop straight.

[70 LS1]

Stoptech has their technical white papers on their site that have all the formulas to calculate what you need based on car weight, CG, etc. From there you can determine which OEM calipers and rotors will give you the performance you are after. There are also options of single or dual master cylinders. One of the advantages of dual masters is you can fine tune pedal feel and front to rear balance by changing one or both master sizes.

First place to start is the calculations. I did it backwards (started with picking calipers) and after two years I am still fine tuning everything.