High Performance Ceramic Brake Shoes

[Tom Bryant]

Has anyone tried these linings from Master Power Brakes on their solid axle?

http://www.praisedynobrake.com/bib.htm

Tom

 

[wallyknoch]

We sell brakes and I dont know anything about them Tom, except if they are anything like the OEM metallic brakes that it appears they want to replace, or add to a car, it will be hard to stop until they get hot. No one offered any advice on the RPO 686 metallic brakes when I ordered my 62, I had to find out for myself and blew the first red light I came up to. However they are still on the car and will probably never wear out. Now at around 35,000 miles and 42 years later the brakes are still in nearly like new condition. In competition the results would probably be very good. Otherwise as a street driver I would stay away from them or learn how to stop all over again..

 

[Tom Bryant]

Good point Wally. I have read a lot about he original ceramics brakes on the early Corvettes. I don't think these new lining materials are the same thing though. I have been seeing a lot of cramic pads show up lately from all of the aftermarket pad manufacturers.

I think I'll drop them an email on this subject. I would be thrilled if I could get better braking without changing to discs when I get around to putting the '59 back together.

Tom

 

[tigernut]

Yes, I don't believe the new ceramic pads are anything like the old ones. I put a pair on my Miata and they stop great and I also lost the annoying brake "squeak".

 

[Tom Bryant]

I read that they weren't supposed to squeel and make very little dust. Im thinking that the shoes are probably the same material.

 

[BarryK]

We sell brakes and I dont know anything about them Tom, except if they are anything like the OEM metallic brakes that it appears they want to replace, or add to a car, it will be hard to stop until they get hot. No one offered any advice on the RPO 686 metallic brakes when I ordered my 62, I had to find out for myself and blew the first red light I came up to. However they are still on the car and will probably never wear out. Now at around 35,000 miles and 42 years later the brakes are still in nearly like new condition. In competition the results would probably be very good. Otherwise as a street driver I would stay away from them or learn how to stop all over again..

Another member of this forum, Rick, had his '63 SWC Z06 in for a body-off restoration. When it was almost done the shop took it for a quick test drive to check operation of the car. Either not realizing or forgetting the metallic brakes are pretty much useless until they warm up they did the same thing you did and blew right through the first red light they came to. Luckily there was no accident but I understand it scared the bejesus out of the shop owner!
If I recall correctly, now that Rick has gone through all the judging, I believe he was pulling off the metallic brakes and putting on "regular" brakes for his pleasure use of the car.

 

[Tom Bryant]

That would be scarey. I read a post from Rick a couple days ago where he is going to go for Top Flight again this year. I suppose the big brakes will be going back on. With what he learned last year I'm sure he'll succeed this year.

Tom

 

[Ol Blue]

I would be interested in knowing how the ceramic brake shoes work out if anyone tries them. I ordered the semi-metallic brakes on my 63 along with power brakes and they always seemed to work ok cold. Not as good as when they were heated up of course. They would really haul me down quickly once they got hot.

The first set lasted 140,000 miles and I probably have around 45,000 miles on the second set. They don't seem to wear out, but the pads come loose from the shoe. I would like to put new shoes on, but hate to go to something that doesn't match the stopping power that the current brakes have.
Ol Blue
http://www.knology.net/~corvettes/63vett.jpg

 

[Tom Bryant]

Great picture.

 

[Ol Blue]

Thanks Tom
The picture was taken on the way back from the NCM's 5th anniversary. The decal on the windshield was because I was the Indiana Caravan Captain. Geez, gotta take those off someday.

Here is a picture that makes some NCRS folks nuts!! I doubt they will ever get changed though, my son loves them. (he took the picture too) Afterall, it's just part of the cars history. I put on so many of those taillights for people that I have a template to do it. Doubt I could make much money doing that today. chuckle.
Ol Blue
http://www.hayco.ca/images/usa1.jpg

 

[Tom Bryant]

I wouldn't change them either. Always loved the 6 tail lights back in the day.

Tom