I NEED A SANITY CHECK DRUMS VS DISCS ?

[Mark Stahl]

Hi all I need to get a sanity check. What one is better and why? I am not baiting anyone just curious to your thoughts comments etc etc. Thanks Mark...

 

[IH2LOSE]

Hi all I need to get a sanity check. What one is better and why? I am not baiting anyone just curious to your thoughts comments etc etc. Thanks Mark...

I am no expert. I have heard from some one i respect that drums can work the same as disk.

But from my personal experience. i have a 1967 deville with drums all the way around and I work like heck trying to keep them in adjustment as it seams to go out of adjustment and the car darts when applying the brakes. I have never had that with a disk car.

Also the caddy does not have as secure a feeling when trying to slow it down. Granted its a heavy car , but I had always assumed it was because it had drums in it..

 

[BarryK]

I have to agree with Larry on his observations between disk and drums. People told me drums would stop a street car as well as disk brakes would but I fely better having the disks so when I was looking I limited my choices to '65-'67 cars with the disks so my '65 has them and they stop the car great, very smooth, no fade, etc.
I'm just sold a '67 Mustand for my sister-in-law and that car has drums all around. A few weeks back I took the car for new brakes all around before listing it for sale. Even after the new brakes put on all around it has NOWHERE near the stopping power of my disks, if you hit them too hard in emergency braking they will lock up much more easily, offers much less "feel" to them than my disks, and as Larry mentioned they make the car dart off to the side as soon as you appy the brakes - I've gotten use to in the last few weeks driving the car to hit the brakes and simultaneously pulling the steering wheel to the opposite direction that it likes to dart to keep the car straight. Not what I consider the safest way of driving.

On the other hand PLENTY people have C1's and '63, '64 C2 Vettes with drums and don't seem to mind them or feel they are lacking in braking.

 

[zachh]

Discs usually last longer, but both are safe. If something goes way wrong, it doesn't matter which you have. All you can do is hope your parking brake works! Drums are also a royal pain in the a**, but on a 64 and under (vettes), fixin them sure beats switching them all to disc.
zachh

 

[grumpyvette]

correctly set up DISC brakes are SUPERIOR, they shed water faster, they cool MUCH faster, they can be designed to run a far higher pressures and they fade less at high heat levels, they are easier to work on when correctly designed and they can be lighter in weight.
while a good drum brake works fine on a street car where heat levels from repeated hard stops from high speeds are rare, they can never match a good disc brake under similar conditions
besides, a well designed disc brake can be set up so the pads can be replaced in under 3 minutes per wheel by skilled pit crew

 

[63Corvette]

My opinion:
If it's NCRS or a garage queen, then keep it original. Properly adjusted Drums will work fine in NON-performance applications.
For everything else, ther's DISCs!

Two (2) reasons:
1) Consistency. Disc's have no "leading shoe" servo effect and will allow straight consistent stops every time, with no unevenness or pulling.
2) Modern pad material. Every single C2 vintage race competitor takes advantage of the stock K-H disc brakes. All modern pad manufacturer's (PFC, Hawk, Ferodo, Pagid, etc.) make a pad for it because of the huge market. You can find a pad material to suit any possible type of driving.
If your car is a driver, especially a performance driver (DE, drags, race or autocross) you can't afford NOT to run discs. Period.

 

[zachh]

My opinion:
If it's NCRS or a garage queen, then keep it original. Properly adjusted Drums will work fine in NON-performance applications.
For everything else, ther's DISCs!

Two (2) reasons:
1) Consistency. Disc's have no "leading shoe" servo effect and will allow straight consistent stops every time, with no unevenness or pulling.
2) Modern pad material. Every single C2 vintage race competitor takes advantage of the stock K-H disc brakes. All modern pad manufacturer's (PFC, Hawk, Ferodo, Pagid, etc.) make a pad for it because of the huge market. You can find a pad material to suit any possible type of driving.
If your car is a driver, especially a performance driver (DE, drags, race or autocross) you can't afford NOT to run discs. Period.

Your Z06, (Kick ass vette) Do they have 4 wheel discs, or drums like every other 63 vette?
zachh
Its not the fall that kills ya, its the sudden stop!

 

[Mark Stahl]

Thanks all. I had a long heated debate over this with a person this weekend. This stuff I guess happens when every one sits around for a few hours,At a car show. I switched to the VBP conversion for my 64. I personally would never go back to drums ever. After being cutoff leaving the show. Now I want to put discs in the rear. Thanks Mark...

 

[63Corvette]

Your Z06, (Kick ass vette) Do they have 4 wheel discs, or drums like every other 63 vette?
zachh

My 63 Z06, and every other vintage racer (including Vic Edelbrock's Washburn Chevy #614 Z06), takes advantage of the sanctioning organization(s) rules which permit upgrade to (stock K-H) disc brakes. ANY pads (RACE) are permitted.
Good luck with your choice.

Garrett Waddell

 

[stepinwolf]

You will have as many different opinions on this subject, as there are people willing to post their own preference. In my opinion, there should be no doubt what so ever, which is the best system.

ALL vehicle manufacturers have understood, more then forty years ago which is best system. All of todays new car manufacturers have long ago switched to disk brakes, and the only reason you still see drums in the rear of some vehicles, is because of the cost factor.

The following photo of the SWC, is actually the third Corvette this year that has come to my shop, asking to have their drum set-up, replaced by a better performing disk brake system.

Although I am aware that each is member is intitled to their own opinion, the question of which is a better system, is a non issue as far as I'm concerned.

Stepinwolf