Safety vs survivor

[chris slawski]

Question for the group. My 69 RS Camaro is currently 100% stock, largely original with about 60k on it. It is not an ultra rare car, other than being unmolested. It has had a poor repaint in original color, some 80’s style rust repair in the wheel houses so she is not a vestal virgin “survivor” but has not been stripped and put back together with wood screws either.
My plan is to make Casper, yes cars name, roadworthy, fully functional and safe. The safe is the question.
Yes a bath is needed in the pictures but that was as found from 30 years in a garage.
The car is a power drum brake car, still all original brake system.
How much of an abomination and violation would it be if I changed to front disc brakes using an OEM specific conversion set up (2 piece rotors, hold off valve etc), as opposed to the metric generic systems out there?
Yes I would be unable to keep the 14 x 6 original rally wheels for drum brakes, but I have already sourced a set of 14 x 6 rally disc brake wheels. Yes I am holding onto the original parts if I make the change.
Thanks for your input as always!

[markinnaples]

Cool Camaro. Do you have any current pics of it cleaned up?
JMHO, I don't think a change over to power discs using original or close to original components would detract from the car at all. If you were thinking of selling, I don't even think that would be a negative either. Originality is great, but I think it's much more significant if the car was a COPO, Z, or other solid lifter "special" version.

I just have to add that my '68 Camaro still has it's OG drums all around, and the drive around town is a challenge. It's interesting for the first couple stops when I need to get a little heat into the brakes, and I need to be prepared long ahead of any intersection or cross roads in case someone pulls out in front of me and I have to panic stop. Otherwise, it's not been that bad to drive them as I only take it to cruises, shows and the occasional day at work in nice weather. I do, however, plan to do at least a front disc conversion sometime in the future when I add power steering, which I don't have either right now. One guy I hang out with at our local cruises calls my car a "real man's car" based on those factors, lol.

[EZ Nova]

I personally see no issue at all. In fact I would be one to encourage it. I would also go through and change any and all parts for being safe that even suspect to failing. Be a lot worst if you tried to keep it as close to original as you can, and have something fail and loosing the car, let alone getting hurt.

Any bolt-on bolt-off part can be saved and returned later if you or someone wishes. I don't your brake change any different that swapping out the old crusty gas tank.

Now if this was a COPO or ZL-1, maybe just maybe I would possibly say different. But even with those cars, I would change the drum to disc for safety and operational purposes.

John

[Lynn]

Well, I would love to give you my input, but not sure I can even be friends with someone who "names" a car. Just kidding of course.

A lot of guys will disagree with me, but unless you are driving really hard, with a lot of repeated stops, or you spend time coming down a mountain, those drum brakes will stop the car just as quickly in ONE panic stop as any other brake set up available. Once you lock the wheels up (and that power drum brake system can definitely lock all four wheels in a panic stop) the stopping power is 100% dependent on the tires and the co effecient of friction between the road and the tires. Think about it; the wheels are locked up; the tires and the road aren't having a discussion about whether they were locked via drum, stock disc, or megabuck aftermarket disc.

Before switching to disc brakes, make sure your drum brakes are optimal. First and foremost, make certan the drums haven't been machined too far; no more than 9.560. Good quality shoes, and make sure there are no leaks. If you need major parts replacement, THEN look at upgrading to disc.

I have opinions on how to go with disc brakes if you decide to go that way.

[chris slawski]

we are still in cleaning process....yes molasses does move faster than me!

[m22mike]

Somewhat agree with Lynn. If you go up on the "I" state and run with the pack it might be a good idea.
Years ago I converted my 69 Malibu to disc's using all GM stuff I sourced from ebay. The car loved 75 MPH, was glad I did it.


Mike

[Tracker1]

What a great car! Yesss to front discs.

[chris slawski]

So looks like going to go with the disc conversion.
While i am not going to be driving coast to coast on the super slab if i head anywhere it is traffic light after traffic light so i would be nervous (possibly unrealistically) about brake fade.

This is a pict of the proposed set up that i have installed on the 69 Malibu, yes she too has a name, Barbie, because from CA and a Malibu, and what i hope to have when Casper's engine bay is cleaned up.

[70 copo]

Its a 307 so the OEM brakes are fine. Drive it and enjoy.

[Kurt S]

I agree, get the brakes tuned up and you should be good, esp with power assist.

Only if that doesn't stop like you want, would I look into discs.

[AnthonyS]

I did the same more or less to my barn find 65 Chevelle SS and kept the front drums - it's a 250hp car and the drums are fine for stopping so far IMHO and mine are manual...

Great looking project, good luck!
Anthony

[earntaz]

I drove a 64' Chevy II wagon (355 and a 4 gear) for years with drums on all four corners. NEVER had a problem with that sent up even towing a boat and trailer ... TAZ