Let's talk disk brake kits

[Chris Coufal]

I've spent the past few hours reading the countless upgrade threads (and there is some awesome info in those) and I still have no idea what kit offers the best bang for the buck. I can't afford the $2000+ WW kits and I'm not interested in sourcing out a new clip from a donor.

I've also seen the ongoing debate that OE single piston calipers are better than dual piston.....and the other way around.

What reasonably priced kits are you guys using and why? Obviously I need the booster and all the other components.

Also, did you swap front and rear at the same time or did you do the front first?

Last question: How many of you ordered your kits as 6 lug so you could run the wheels you already had and later swapped out the hubs to 5 lug?

[Clyde65]

I think you need to evaluate what you want as far as performance. Corner carver, street strip, daily drive, etc.

ECE and CPP sell very affordable ready to bolt on kits.

[Chris Coufal]

Daily drive.....

but I'd like it to stop when that butthorn Prius driver cuts me off and slams on their brakes in front of me....HAHA. Austin, Tx people can not drive.

[Clyde65]

I get it. A stock 71-87 disc brake wet up is miles ahead of the stock drums. The drums can be improved with proper maintenance and a power booster too.

I have 71/72 disc brakes and it stops very well.

Are you planning on dropping the truck?

[Captmatt]

After some research I went with a CPP kit. Fair price, fair shipping cost. When I opened the boxes some of the parts bags had been ripped open and resealed with tape, bad sign. The tie rod sleeves were the wrong size and I had to pay to send them back for replacement. The bearing seals were the wrong size and I called to get the generic part number so I could go buy the correct ones at my local parts store. Both calls to CPP I didn't even get a " gee were sorry." There were a few other washers etc missing also. The brake pads would not go on one caliper without some light grinding and one caliper has a metric bleeder valve and the other a SAE bleeder. Other then that..........the brakes do stop the truck. Just FYI.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I drove a truck with a disc brake kit in it the other day. At first there is not feel to the pedal and then all of a sudden the brakes come on full force.

I used a 75 front end. all components are from a chevy truck and I love the way my brakes work. My power booster is also a stock GM from a 79. I will do that all over again rather then using a kit.

[Chris Coufal]

Clyde, the truck will be bagged and I will be running drop spindles.

CaptMatt, I had a horrific experience already with CPP and it took 2 months to get sorted out and included me paying for shipping for parts they incorrectly sent me. I was as well missing parts, some of which I never received. They also quoted me incorrect information on the phone about parts I was purchasing. I also never received a "sorry" even after I went two supervisors above. I doubt I will be purchasing from them again.

The only reason I want an "all in one kit" is because I don't have the time to source out all the components. I'd rather receive a box of parts and be able to work on it on my day off.

Thanks for the info guys.

[sixTsix]

ECE all the way

ordered mine, came perfect, nice fitment, couldn't have asked for a better DD kit

[Clyde65]

Look in the vendor section, there are vendors that stock CPP products and are awesome in customer service.

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

What about performance online (POL) ? Are there disk brake kits good?

[Thiessen1960]

I am also wondering this and where to order from. I noticed Tuckers has brake kits as well, for me I want a kit because I want to keep my torsion front end but lose the stupid bearings that are so expensive

[Cooper197]

I did a McGauphy kit from Summit. Didn't require a booster or anything like that, was just a simple spindle change up front. Made a HUGE difference on my truck and it stops very quickly now. I'm still running the rear drums and original M/C with no issues at all. The PO had swapped my rear end to 5x5, so I went ahead and did the 5 lug up front with the conversion, but it'd be really easy to do 6 for now and go to 5 later if you wanted to.

[Thiessen1960]

I looked up their kit and it says it fits 1960-87 but somehow I dont think that the 1960 front end would be the same as a 63-87. My truck is a 1960.

[Lowl!f3]

Cheaper to use a donor. And less of a problem getting replacement parts down the road.
I know you said you dont want to do that. However, kits can chew up some cash you can use elsewhere. I bought a complete front from a donor for $100.
Also keep in mind. Some of these kits you buy. You cant run down to the local autoparts and get something as simple as pads.
With a donor, no issues with that.
Im going to use an 86 under mine with hydroboost. I guarantee you it will stop when you want.

[Thiessen1960]

Did any donor possible vehicles ever have 6 lug rotors though?

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by Thiessen1960

Did any donor possible vehicles ever have 6 lug rotors though?

You can get 6 lug rotors from Summit Racing for $130 a pair. If you source later front ends you will have to get rid of your torsion bar front end though, unless someone here knows of a ball joint that will work.

[RaXaR117]

Right before buying disk brakes for my 65, i researched a little on what company would provide the most complete kit. Even though i read many negative reviews about cpp(mainly when dealing directly with them), i still chose to use their big brake kit for front and rear. They didnt disappoint. Customer service basically nonexistent, shipping times are horrible. That and they sent me 5 lug when i ordered 6 lug. I kept the 5 only because i knew it would be about another month if i had returned the kit and shipped the correct one. I like their products but ive now resorted to buying their products off other vendors whenever possible.

[Captmatt]

I should add that I have purchased other CPP parts without a problem and they do have some nice items. Their quality control and after sale service are sub par. I did buy my CPP brake kit through another vendor, when I realized there were problems I contacted that vendor and was told I needed to deal directly with CPP since the kit was dropped shipped from them. Once I got the correct parts the kit went together well and the brakes worked great first try. So I guess I'm satisfied ........

[Captmatt]

Originally Posted by Chris Coufal

I've spent the past few hours reading the countless upgrade threads (and there is some awesome info in those) and I still have no idea what kit offers the best bang for the buck. I can't afford the $2000+ WW kits and I'm not interested in sourcing out a new clip from a donor.

I've also seen the ongoing debate that OE single piston calipers are better than dual piston.....and the other way around.

What reasonably priced kits are you guys using and why? Obviously I need the booster and all the other components.

Also, did you swap front and rear at the same time or did you do the front first?

Last question: How many of you ordered your kits as 6 lug so you could run the wheels you already had and later swapped out the hubs to 5 lug?

I switched to 5 lug. Some of the stock steel wheels will not clear the disc brake calipers and there are far more wheel options then if you stay with the 6 lug. Good luck, it's a fun project !

[KALAHEO]

I also bought complete front/rear brake kit from CPP. Fitment was good and easy to install. Ive purchased full suspension from them and when I had questions they were very helpful. I live local though and was able to stop by their showroom. Killer showroom by the way. I stayed with six lug also although the stock steel wheels WILL NOT fit with disc brake kit.