first gen brake question

[TravisLee]

I am planning on running the stock 4 piston front brakes and a rear disc conversion in my 1968 big block Camaro. I will be using all new calipers, rotors, stainless hardlines, and braided brake lines.

My question is what master cylinder to run? I love the look and compact design of the CPP MCVP-1. Can I run just the master and no booster? It will be a weekend driver with no track time.

Also while I have the front end apart I am replacing all the steering components. Would it be wise to change the spindles to new? I just figure while its all apart why not replace everything.

Thank you for your time and any info.

Travis

[Apogee]

It may not be in your budget, but Wilwood now makes aluminum C3 4-piston calipers that are 29# lighter than the old cast iron units IIRC and not too bad with respect to price.

The standard manual 1" bore C3 master cylinder or equivalent disc/disc master cylinder should be fine with a 6:1 pedal ratio and decent pads. If you like the CPP unit, run it.

If your original spindles are in good condition, I would run them. It wouldn't hurt to have them mag fluxed to check for cracks for peace of mind. Some of the OE replacements I've seen are of questionable quality.

Tobin
KORE3

[TravisLee]

Thank you. Do you know if the Wilwood calipers use my stock brackets and rotors?

I guess I will try just running a disc/disc master with no booster and see how I like it.

Thanks again for your time.

Travis

[TravisLee]

I just checked the Wilwood site and saw the calipers. The D8-4 corvette caliper is the same as my 4 piston camaro calipers?

I would love to run these. Do you know a ballpark price? Do you know if anyone has adapted these calipers (or the stock corvette) to run in the rear?

[Apogee]

The C3 brake package on the back of an F-body was part of the facotry JL8 suspension option IIRC, so the parts exist. Do a search as I know that I've seen a couple of builds on here that have used the era correct JL8 brake options.

I think the calipers were roughly $300 each, but I don't remember if that was with the Therm-Lock pistons or just the regular ones. I do remember that Wilwood can supply the calipers directly with the Therm-Lock pistons, that way you wouldn't be buying calipers with pistons only to replace them later. Of course, if you're not going to be tracking it, then it's probably not worth the added expense. I'm sure one of the Wilwood distributors on the board (Frank at Prodigy) could give you current pricing if you like. The Wilwood calipers are the same as the OE pieces with respect to mounting per the literature, so all of the brackets and things should be the same.

Tobin
KORE3

[TravisLee]

Does anyone have any opinions on this kit?

http://www.performanceonline.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=18811&cat=1026&page=1

It looks to be the same as the Baer kit just without the name. I priced it out and this kit with a 12" rear is only about $100 more than doing all stock.

Also I am on the fence about going with manual brakes over power. Will manual brakes take a lot more effort to stop my big block camaro? I know a lot of people are using the manual over power.

[Apogee]

Looks like a Baer Track (C4) kit, but like you said, without the name. At that price, you could also consider stepping up to C5/C6 brakes for about the same money as well. If you already have your wheels, you should start downloading fitment templates to see what you can fit. C5/C6/Z51/Z06 templates can be downloaded from here (http://www.kore3.com/tech.php#fitment_templates) if you like.

Properly set up manual brakes should only take moderately more effort to stop your car than properly set up vacuum boosted brakes, otherwise it wouldn't really be "boosted" now would it? That said, manual will work regardless of how much or how little vacuum your big block generates. If your vacuum levels are below 12"-14" Hg then I would argue that the manual brakes will work better than the boosted brakes. It's very important to properly size the master cylinder relative to the calipers being used.

Tobin
KORE3

[dmorrow]

I run a 502 Ramjet in my first gen and tried two or three different brake setups. Ended up with Wilwood front and rear discs and 13" rotors. The end solution for assist was a hydroboost, honestly there is nothing like it, will smoke all four wheels on command. If you have the 'go' make sure you have the 'whoa', right?

[Rag-Rat]

I was looking to see if you tried the Wilwood D8-4 Corvette calipers on your Camaro and were they a direct bolt-on? I know the caliper is similiar and bolts up the same as the 67-68 Camaro 4 piston set-up, but do the bleeders and hose lines have any interference issues?

[mnm99]

I'm going to run a 15/16 bore master with the manual setup. Disk in the frond drum in the rear. 1" masters are mostly used for manual setups, but I wanted a little more brake pressure. I'll post back when I'm done.