Master Cylinder
Brake Lines
Brake Valves
Residual Valves
Types of Automotive Hydraulic Brakes
Drum Brakes
Disc Brakes
Brake Lining Materials
Parking Brake
Brake Light Switches
Chapter 3: General Brake Upgrade Overview
OEM Conversions
Aftermarket Conversions
Wheel Fit and Tires
Caliper Types
Brake Rotor Choices
Application Selection
Power or Manual Brakes
Creating Braking Force with Calipers and Master Cylinders
Research
The Final Selection
Chapter 4: GM Brake Conversion: Budget-Friendly Upgrade
Beat the Drums
Discs
Rotors
Calipers
Brake Pads
Rear Disc Upgrades
Rear Brake Install
Front Brake Install
Chapter 5: Ford Disc Brake Conversion: Street/Strip Upgrade
Vehicle Interchanges/Crossovers
Grenada Front Brake Swap on Mustang
Ford Disc Brake Calipers
OEM-Style Front Rotors
OEM Master Cylinders, Power Units, Proportioning Valves
Aftermarket Conversions
High-Performance 1968 Ford Torino Big Brake Upgrade
Rear Axle Brake Kit
Chapter 6: Mopar Brake Conversion: Pro Touring Upgrade
Chrysler’s Muscle Car Brake Systems
The Baer Brakes Upgrade
The Rear Brake System
Don’t Forget the Master Cylinder
Chapter 7: Picking a System and Getting It Done
Deciding on Your Brake System
Research Options
Developing and Executing a Build Strategy
Routine After-Assembly Test
Breaking in the Brake Pads and Rotors
Post Bedding-In Inspection
The Last Word
DEDICATION
To my wife, Marcy, whose love and support made this entire effort possible. To my sons, Andrew and Kelly, my daughter-in-law, Hannah, my grandsons, Cayden and Harrison, and granddaughter, Aureli, I appreciate all the time you gave up so that I could pursue the completion of this book. It wasn’t easy to be missing a family member all those days and weekends. Last, but certainly not least, to my loyal companion, Turbo the Wonderdog. Nobody does a project like this alone. Your combined support during those long days and nights made all the difference. This book, and everything within its pages, is dedicated to all of you.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My life has centered around maintenance from the time I was born. I performed my first brake job in the 1970s, and I have changed every brake pad and rotor on my personal vehicles since that time. Sometimes it was out of financial necessity (I couldn’t afford to pay someone else to do it) and sometimes out of desire. Even with extensive experience over a range of domestic and foreign cars, there is always more to learn. It takes a village, and in my case a fairly large town, to raise a proficient brake technician. I wish to acknowledge some of the people who contributed to this project.
Without car enthusiasts, none of this is needed or practical. Everything we do in the automotive aftermarket revolves around the end user: the car nut. Acknowledgements would not be complete without a tip of the hat to all the muscle car fanatics. Thank you.
One of the many people who helped with this book is Mr. Ed Zinke. He put me in contact with the right people to get answers and is also a valued personal friend. Ed is a highly respected media professional who was awarded SEMA’s Robert E. Petersen Media Person of the Year award. His insight and contacts were invaluable when I needed very specific help.
Todd Ryden’s unwavering support and help ensured this project got off the ground from the beginning. His photography support and knowledge about the different brake systems filled in the gaps in my own experience. His words were the glue that bound the rest of the work together. I have enjoyed our collaborations and can’t wait for the next one to occur.
Longtime friend and brake systems expert Michael Hamrick provided much of the information from Wilwood Engineering. For a full year he was willing to take my calls and answer my emails full of questions, expecting nothing in return. Much of the work within this book was possible because of his help.
Cathy
