High Performance Brake Shoes?

[DarkHawk]

I'm sure in the day there was such a thing, but with the advent of disc they probably went to the wayside.

Either way I don't want to go disc on the rear of my 72 GMC 1500. Is there anyone who sell performance oriented brake shoes?

Thanks

[DarkHawk]

TTT Thoughts appreciated

[67 cst swb]

I think the statement of "high performance brake shoes" is a oxymoron... kinda like "Affective Government"
no matter how high performance you get they are still brake shoes.
Just curious, but...
With the rears only doing 20% - 30% of the braking. Why are you looking for better rear brake shoes?

[DarkHawk]

With disc brakes you have stock brake pads, or you can get better friction material to help reduce braking distance. This is what I'm looking for.

In the day of some drum brake systems were considered a "performance brake" IE some vehicles came with alum. drums to help dissipate heat, and I'm sure there were options as far as friction material.

I really don't feel upgrading to rear disc is for me. I personally don't mind the look of the rear drum which in my case a disc upgrade is just not practical.

[GASoline71]

A lot of the aluminum drums were more for less weight and rolling mass.

I have drums on the rear of my 1972 GMC and just replaced everything in the system except for the backing plates (drums, shoes, cylinders and hardware). I also purchased the stock replacement shoes for them. I'm sure they will out last the front discs by about 3:1.

Gary

[john]

I remember back when these trucks were new you could buy metallic lining. They didn't fade when wet like regular lining, but the were hard on drums. Now you see semi metallic which is probably a better all around material and alot of vehicles use it. Some people also swore by kevlar brake shoes. Buicks used aluminum drums for quite a few years.

[DarkHawk]

Something like that would be ideal. Drums are cheap for these trucks. I think I saw a pair for $60 earlier today. Rather than looking on line I'll call the parts houses and see what is available for a semi-metallic.

I probably should have done that first but I was curious to see if there was something in particular folks on here were using.

[DarkHawk]

Originally Posted by john

Buicks used aluminum drums for quite a few years.

That would be the ticket if I could find one that was compatible dimensionally with the OEM drum. A lot of those were big heavy cars, there might be something.

[volksworld]

back in the day performance brake shoes were metallic...they didn't fade when they were hot, but they also didn't stop till they were hot...they were designed for oval track race cars and were worthless on the street....if you wanted better drums you just adapted larger ones off something else like 13x3 finned aluminum buick drums

[loom34432]

Another option that you can do is, buy two sets of rear shoes and use the longer set on the front of the wheel and back. For example, the new box will have 4 shoes, two with a smaller distance of pad material and the other two will be longer, use only the longer shoes on the wheels. What this does is gives you more breaking surface area on the drums. Its not a lot, but I figure a little bit more is better than none!!