4 wheel disks going on today!

[tboltkc]

Awesome. What did you do for the master cylinder?

[TonyL]

he went with a parts store bought one for a nova.

[tboltkc]

As in vintage Nova? Original disc/drum setup?

[TonyL]

Not sure of the exact year, I'll find out.

[UNSAFE]

Dang Tony - the disks look almost tiny in those huge wheels .

Generally a master cylinder for disk brakes is designed to supply more pressure and more volume than a drum type.

Drum brakes are aided by the rotation of the shoes which add increased brake action without increased pedal pressure.

Drum brakes also generally have much smaller wheel cylinders which do not require as much volume to fill as a disc caliper.

Disk master cylinders also often have larger fluid reservoirs . This is because the calipers "Use up" brake fluid as the pads wear but drums are self adjusting and the volume of fluid remains pretty constant.

A good choice in a stock type MC would be the C3 Corvette without power brakes.

I would also recommend the combination valve from the same vette.

Here's what I used -- The MC is an aluminum Wilwood for 4 wheel disks. It was made for a Chrysler product so I had to modify the mounting ears. It has a 69/31 split and I reversed the ports so that the rear gets the 69%.

I also used an MP Brakes combination valve for 4 wheel disks . The combo valve allows the rear brakes to react before the fronts and makes for less nose dive and smoother application.

I also used Rp valves in both lines to keep slight pressure in the calipers at all times.

I bought an adjustable pressure valve but have not felt the need to use it.

[Mike J]

Tony ~ you and Danny are killing me. You guys make this look so easy. Heck, I have front disc brakes just waiting for me to tackle that job. And they're from a vair so it's almost a bolt on appilcation.

So, right on you guys. It appears we'll be seeing both YOU and your brother DANNY at the Sacramento Spring Fling at the end of April? Maybe with 10-15 sets of brackets too?

I might have to bribe you guys to come over and work on my car. I blew my shoulder out and it's taking longer then I thought to get it back into use. gggg

[TonyL]

Good post Unsafe! He says he chose the one he went with based on the size of the reservoir it is pretty huge. Since we went with rears only, the calipers are only single cylinder each. So he's guessing there will be adequate volume. If not, he may change his mind. It's still a prototype setup after all. heck, we may even have to bolt up the dual piston calipers on the front if it isn't enough stopping power. We'll see next weekend.

Im still kicking around the idea of selling some brackets. We're going to have to seriously test and prove these parts are safe on a vair before we ever consider selling anything. Lives are literally at stake. As soon as I feel confident, you can bet we'll share what we've got.

[4carbcorvair]

Lots of good info here... Does look too easy. LOL

Kevin, the C-3 master is VERY widely used. Highly suggested in the Jeep world too. It's a very good master. :)

[J.M]

What (if any) modifications were required to put them on? Any cutting / grinding to the stock suspension?

[PBeck]

Tony,
If you do decide to make a bunch of mounts put my name on a pair.
PBeck

[TonyL]

What (if any) modifications were required to put them on? Any cutting / grinding to the stock suspension?

You'll need to relocate the rear shocks over. Its VERY simple. You run a 4 1/2 inch grade 8 bolt through the shock mount, and attach the shock to the outside of the bolt. I'll snap a shot. a simple spacer is all that is needed to fill in the space in between the old shock mount to keep it from collapsing on itself. This is to clear the caliper at its "furthest in" sweep of travel as the pads are new.

You wont have to have your hubs lathed down, just a simple spin of the die grinder on the inside of the rotors hub bore.

[TonyL]

Tony,
If you do decide to make a bunch of mounts put my name on a pair.
PBeck

Noted!

[TonyL]

Here's a shot of the "Shock mod" that both he and I had to do. I hadn't installed a bushing here, but you get the idea.

Note: the shock bushing is still there, trimmed to fit in the shock bushing. Note the large sway bar bushing washers used to cap off the ends of the shock at both sides.

The bushing im missing goes between the stock mounting tabs, and covers where the threads on this bolt can be seen.

And yes, I know she's dirty under there. My dad's back yard is muddy. =(

[Vairforce1]

Tony-

So, how's the conversion working out? I need to completely rebuild the brake system on my '65 Corsa project and am sorely tempted to go with your conversion, provided it's safe and effective, and I could get you to produce a set of those nifty mounting brackets. I know of a 93-97 rear disc setup for sale and I'm wondering if I should just snap them up.

Dave

[TonyL]

So far, so good. the car spent the week at the upholstery shop getting fitted for new door panels and its back seat, so the fronts arent done yet.
We're supposed to tear back into it tomorrow. Pics and details to ensue when i get em.

[gnvair]

What did you do for the fronts? I currently have a 98-02 F body set up that I will be adapting to mine........Very nice PBR dual 44mm piston aluminum calipers with 12" rotors. :)