Disc Brake Conversion on 1st Gen Camaro

[AU Doc]

I've just bought a 69 camaro that I intend to use primarily as a street car with the rare trip for a track day (maybe once a year if I'm lucky). The has factory manual drums and I'm planning to swap to discs immediately. However, I'm finding that this doesn't appear to be as simple as I'd hoped.

I don't want a flashy set of big rotors that don't actually provide good braking. I want to make the car safer and more enjoyable to drive. With that in mind, can anyone recommend a route to convert to discs. I'd like a kit that includes all the parts I need, but I'm open to piecing something together if there is a huge benefit.



Converting to an OE type system (C5, C6, etc.), seems like a good approach, but I'm hoping to get some feedback.

[Josue]

Check out my build thread in my signature, I did a power C5 front disc swap on my 68 Firebird earlier this year, and it could not have been easier! Piecing it together from a mixture of new and used parts took a bit of work, but I only did that to save on the cost. If you have the means, you can order everything you need, brand new, from Tobin at Kore3 and call it a day.

It also takes VERY little effort to convert the rears to either a LS1 style setup, or C5 setup. I was amazed at how after all these years, these parts still interchange! And stopping power is incredible now as well. My car stops so hard, it makes the engine stall out...haha

Or, if you prefer more of a stock looking setup, Matt's classic bowties has a VERY inclusive front disc swap kit that I was going to order for my mother. We just picked up a 1969 Camaro convertible for her retirement gift, and it has manual drums as well. The kit comes with a new; dual master, booster, proportioning valve, spindles, rotors, single piston calipers, bearings, and all the hardware needed....all for only $509 shipped. Ultimately, I think we're just going to add a power booster to her car and call it a day. My dad has power drum brakes on his 1969 Firebird convertible, and it stops just fine for a cruiser.

[Typhoon1015]

X2 for Kore3, they have a barebones kit or a full kit depending on your needs. I have no direct feedback/transcations, but if I was doing the same thing and didn't have the time/knowledge to piece a kit together I would go with one of their kits. The benefit of a LS1/C5 type kit is parts availability, GM components, and floating caliper design. Unless your getting all out or you feel you need the 6 piston 14 inch rotor brembo/baer/wilwood, a C5 kit will fill all of your needs. Piston sizes and braking forces can be just as high as the aftermarket with careful parts choices in regards to master clyinder/booster and caliper bore sizes.

[Dark Pursuit]

I too am using a C5 / C4 4 wheel setup. Be aware though that with the bigger rotors, you will need larger wheels to stuff those calipers under. C5 front brakes will require 18" wheels from most wheel companies.

[AU Doc]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Do the kore3 kits come with the booster and MC?

Wheels and tires are at the top of my list for upgrades because I'll need the room for brakes. I would have liked to wait on those to sort the suspension, but it is what it is.

With that in mind, if I upgrade the suspension, and that includes different spindles, is swapping the brakes over a matter of different bearings in the hubs, or will I be looking at replacing hubs and brackets, etc.?

[Josue]

No, Kore3 kits do not include anything at the firewall.....though, Tobin does have extensive knowledge and can steer you in the right direction there if you had questions.

I'm running 17X8's in the front of my car, and I had to shave a little off the calipers in order for them to clear my stick on wheel weights. That was just MY specific scenario though, due to where they put the weights.

[H20cooled]

Tobin can get you all of the parts you need for brakes, I called him on Friday and ordered the C5 brake setup with hoses, MC, and Hydraboost for my 67 Camaro. I wish I had called him before I bought my Wilwood rear setup but it should be good.

[ClosNova805]

H20cooled what you pay for all that if you don't mind me asking looking for a set up for my 69 nova

[HandOverFist]

Another LS1 upgrade vote...did this for my '67 El Camino, all manual.

[odin1]

I recently install the right stuff conversion kit on my 69' Camaro. It came with the booster and master cylinder.

[H20cooled]

H20cooled what you pay for all that if you don't mind me asking looking for a set up for my 69 nova

It was around $2600 for everything, the hydraboost adds a lot to the cost but should be worth it in the long run. Brakes are pretty important.

Part of what I really like about the corvette setup is the easy of getting parts, since everything is based off of GM parts they are available at most local parts store which is much easier that the 1 off stuff when you need it quick.

[CliffsBlueCamaro]

X2 for 4-wheel LS1 discs. For the money they are hard to beat - excellent bang for the buck. I mixed parts from BRP Hotrods, Kore3, and stock LS1 Camaro parts. I couldn't be happier. The small-ish 12" rotors open up more wheel choices too.