Brake Thoughts

[Neal_J]

I have a 69 with 318 and manual drum brakes which means it takes two feet to stop from speed.  Preferring to keep it as original as possible, I'm thinking of adding a power booster.  The alternative, which I admit would provide better stopping power, is to install MP disc brakes.  Again, I'd prefer to keep this original, including ideally running the stock 14" wheels and covers.    Thoughts?

All comments welcome.  Thanks!!~

[Mike DC]

 
Sounds like you want the original '69 power disc brake option.  That's the most factory-ish choice for front discs, and the only one that doesn't rule out 14" wheels. 

[twodko]

I just installed MPB basic power disk brake conversion on my stock power drum brake car.

Truly an order of magnitude better and I don't feel guilty about modifying the car because
power disk brakes were an option in 69. 

[Ghoste]

And unless it's something rare, you shouldn't anyway.  Make your car a great driver Neal and leave concours perfect for the Hemi crowd.  That said, my car was modified with front discs before I got it and it has a GM booster and master cylinder in it which I HATE everytime I see it and it will be getting replaced with Chrysler stuff this summer.

[b5blue]

My 70 has 10" drum all around and a few years ago I removed the power booster stuff and converted to manual. It stops fine, granted it might get hairy trying to stop quickly from +80 MPH repeatedly but it's fine around town. I am going with factory 11 3/4 disks later (Requires 15" rims) but retaining manual as power is too sensitive for my likes.  I'm inclined to think you may just need a good brake overhaul ? 

[Neal_J]

Thanks B%.  That's what I'm now thinking too.  That's my starting point, at least.

Stay tuned.  Thanks!

Neal

[twodko]

Neal,

If you're going to all the trouble to change the brakes over
to that depth, I really urge you to put a power disk brake kit
on your car.
You will be infinitely glad you did. 

I saved up for mine conversion over the course of 3 years or so
but it was worth the wait. Just sayin'.......

[bill440rt]

My thoughts are I would do a manual disc conversion before adding a power booster to drum brakes. 

The manual MP disc brake kit was a great improvement over the manual drums. The cam didn't make enough vacuum for power brakes anyway.
However, it did require the use of 15" wheels vs 14".

[myk]

If you care about yourself, your car and the people that share the roads with you, you will install disc brakes in whatever manner you can get your hands on, be it an original-type of installation or not.  Originality is...."nice" when it comes to interiors, body colors and maybe 8 track cassette players, but that's about it, IMO.  Driving a big car like a Charger in today's crazy, hectic and flat out dangerous traffic environments with the pathetically sub-par braking system from the past is a dangerous proposition.  The fact that you're seriously considering switching to disc brakes confirms that you've already learned how nerve-racking your Charger's handling and braking abilities, or lack of, truly are on today's roads.  Whatever you do, take extreme caution out there...

[Mike DC]

If you care about yourself, your car and the people that share the roads with you, you will install disc brakes in whatever manner you can get your hands on, be it an original-type of installation or not.  Originality is...."nice" when it comes to interiors, body colors and maybe 8 track cassette players, but that's about it, IMO.  Driving a big car like a Charger in today's crazy, hectic and flat out dangerous traffic environments with the pathetically sub-par braking system from the past is a dangerous proposition.  The fact that you're seriously considering switching to disc brakes confirms that you've already learned how nerve-racking your Charger's handling and braking abilities, or lack of, truly are on today's roads.  Whatever you do, take extreme caution out there...

Yeah, MYK speaks the truth here.  

It's tempting for guys like us to say, "I can drive way better than most people, I can make do with less brakes."  

But the thing is, it's usually not YOU that gets you into trouble out there.  It's usually some other dumbfuck who cuts in front or pulls out without any respect for the danger of it.  You can drive more safely to compensate for your old car's weaker brakes but you cannot make everyone else on the road do it too.  

The fact is that traffic density in the USA has roughly doubled since these cars were built.  And everyone else's braking ability has multiplied too.  With most people running power assist & big tires & anti-dive suspensions, they don't even feel how far they are pushing it all the time.  And they won't have the mechanical sense to look at a 45yo car behind them and think "that thing might not have the best brakes . . . "  

[b5blue]

  I do agree brakes are the single most aspect of any car. However the 10" drum setup, while not the best possible is still a good reliable system if in top condition. I know, I've got many years of DAILY driving with them! The key is to have quality parts in good condition and not drive foolishly! Insure the drums turned properly and still have plenty of thickness to soak up heat, the shoes are riveted linings, all hardware/hydraulics are new or like new condition and bearings and seals are 100% and you are in much better shape than "putting it off" because your saving up for a swap/upgrade later. 
  Here is a link to the disk swap, bookmark it.
      http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html