Bendix discs or MP single piston kit, which is preferred or better

[Lord Warlock]

Which is the better solution,  the stock power disc brake setup with Bendix 4 piston calipers, or the Master Power single piston caliper kit? 

Several years back i bought a MP disc kit when i was having problems finding someone to rebuild the bendix calipers.  Since then I found a rebuilder and had the bendix calipers rebuilt.  In order to use the bendix setup, I'll have to buy a new set of rotors, brackets for the brake lines that attach to the calipers, and new lines that attach to the calipers.  Actually i think i have the brackets, but the rebuilt calipers didn't return the lines that were stuck in the original calipers so i'd have to replace those. 

The MP single piston kit appears to be complete, if i can find the bearings and seals and bolts to attach everything...if they use different bolts than the stock ones use.  I already have a new set of rotors and calipers with this kit, and also have replacement spindles that came with the kit, not sure if there are any dust shields, if there are they are still in the boxes. 

The car is intended for general street use, drive to shows etc, i do not intend to race it on a track, unless of course the car tells me to track it once.  Its days as a high speed car are over, i'll be happy to just be able to drive it safely around town, and hopefully deal with fairly heavy traffic.  I'd prefer to have dependable brakes that will stop the car, the discs up front primarily did most of the braking in the past, the power rear drums never did much as far as i could tell. 

This is just another stepping stone on the way to getting it on the street again, and i have to decide whether to rebuild the originals, or replace the old with all new parts. 

Thanks
LW

[John_Kunkel]

"Better" is one of those words that will elicit some differing (and often heated) responses.

IMO the single-piston is always better than the Bendix.

[Lord Warlock]

ok,  ignoring the fact that purists would prefer the bendix strictly for originality,  what are the opinions on the MP single caliper system?  Is it worth the trouble installing it, or should i just stick with the bendix which for me will be the more expensive option since i have to get new parts for the original.  If the MP system is more effective (and easier to maintain) I have no problems using the newer system as i can always include the original parts if i ever sell the car (not likely).  I would like to be able to drive the car to the occasional show even if it is a hundred miles away.  I have a power brake booster/master cylinder that should work with either system already in the car. 

I just don't want to start ripping apart the front suspension only to find the newer system is only marginally better than the old, or worse.  If the system is only equal to the old, I'd rather just put the bendix system back together, even if it takes me a few extra months to save up for the parts i'll need.  Lack of brakes is one of the major stumbling blocks of getting the car drivable, the other is a quarter tank of stale gas in the gas tank, I'll have to drop the tank, drain it, then blow out the lines before i trust it to be run through the regular tank on the car, right now when i start it i run a hose from the fuel pump to a gas can. 

[John_Kunkel]

Without knowing the exact dimensions (caliper piston diameter and rotor diameter) one can't compare the efficiency of the MP to the Bendix.