[Jim Doran]

Doing a pwr disc conversion on 65 GTO. I am thinking of using this companies custom aluminum hub with the 79-81 trans-am rotors. This allows use of the stock drum spindle. It wouldn't appear totally stock, but then again, disc on a 65 ain't stock, and w/Rally I's you can't see much except the rotor anyhow. Please check the two links to see how the system is assembled.

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/disc-...ec-723ack.html

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/big_m...brake_kit.html

I am only going to use their lower end and am purchasing booster/master/lines elsewhere. Can anyone think of why this approach is less desirable than the typical replace the spindle approach ? To me it has advantages of not having to mess with the whole front end at the same time as doing brakes. Allows me to deal with the two work items separately. There are minor advantages also like it keeps the geometry 100 0dentical,some possible weight savings, no alignment needed at time of brake swap.

The downside is reliance on a custom item ( hub ).

Interested in your humble and not so humble opinions.

- Jim Doran -Some Pics of my 65

[Jim Doran]

Doing a pwr disc conversion on 65 GTO. I am thinking of using this companies custom aluminum hub with the 79-81 trans-am rotors. This allows use of the stock drum spindle. It wouldn't appear totally stock, but then again, disc on a 65 ain't stock, and w/Rally I's you can't see much except the rotor anyhow. Please check the two links to see how the system is assembled.

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/disc-...ec-723ack.html

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/big_m...brake_kit.html

I am only going to use their lower end and am purchasing booster/master/lines elsewhere. Can anyone think of why this approach is less desirable than the typical replace the spindle approach ? To me it has advantages of not having to mess with the whole front end at the same time as doing brakes. Allows me to deal with the two work items separately. There are minor advantages also like it keeps the geometry 100 0dentical,some possible weight savings, no alignment needed at time of brake swap.

The downside is reliance on a custom item ( hub ).

Interested in your humble and not so humble opinions.

- Jim Doran -Some Pics of my 65

['ol Pinion head]

Jim,
The thing that sticks out to me (no pun intended) on this set-up, is the size of the hub which is going to protrude through the wheel. Don't see how one could run center caps on a Rally I or Rally II with those hubs. Doubt that a set of Rally II's would even fit as the center hole is small. Also doubt the ECI hubs would fit with a set of Hurst wheels & caps. Basically see this as decent option, if one is set on running aftermarket mags that have a big centering hole in them & the front suspension has been recently rebuilt completely with quality parts. If suspension has only been partially gone through, or suspension parts are cheap Chinese replacements, there are other options.

The rest on ECI set-up looks fine, design wise. The rotors & calipers are common serviceable GM pieces, not dependent on one off race style aftermarket pieces, where if the company changes it's product line, or goes out of business, one is left holding the bag, when one needs replacement parts. At least to me, this very important. With klast year or so's track record of new fangled aftermarket disc brake conversions being brought out nearly every other month, def something to think about, as when this market goes stagnant, there will be some weeding out of product lines & eventually businesses.

Hope this helps, not trying to be negative, just trying to give honest & humble feedback.

[JC455]

I think OPH is right on w/ his observations.
You might want to go to www.Pro-touring.com and scroll down to the section on "Cheap Big Brakes."
I think you might find some additional ideas there.

John

[Jim Doran]

Roger, not viewed as negative; As I tell em at work, anything less than honesty is a waste of my time. I too agree on your points, an in particular are grateful for the issue of how far the hub protrudes. The company did mention this via telephone, and since they are only an hour from my house, I was going to bring an original Rally I with me to test this. One other minor point the company mentioned was the most spindle changes result in moving the front wheels outward about .5 inch on each side. Not a big deal for me, just FYI as I'm sure you are aware.

Thanks for the honest opinion. This has been helpful.

- Jim Doran -Some Pics of my 65

[goatseeker]

Jim,
As you know, my disc brake upgrade used GM spindles, calipers, brackets and wheel bearings (courtesy of OPH ) and new GM type rotors for 70/71 GTO. The spindles & brakes lined up perfectly and the new ball joints on the control arms bolted together perfectly with the spindles because they were standard matched GM parts. There were no problems with finding bearings to fit the hubs & rotors either because they are commonly available. The Rally 1's were obviously no problem either. FWIW, when I took the car to be aligned the guy used standard specs and had no difficulty due to the geometry with the discs and the wheel width was the same as before.
From personal experience, you don't want to get into the job and waste time re-engineering things. Who knows, these hubs might actually save you some hassles. Do you know anyone else who has used them .
Tim

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/TimSimpson66GTO.html

[goatseeker]

Jim,
Just checked your links above and agree with Roger - those hubs look really big to get the Rally 1 caps around .
I noticed that the photo is for a Mustang brake kit, maybe the Pontiac kit uses a smaller hub .

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/TimSimpson66GTO.html

[PMDRACER]

I dunno. I just do not like this "adapt-a-brake" setup. Do yourself a favor and go to a reputable company and get their full kit. Stock-type parts = no hassles. All parts in one box, tested, and you know it will fit.

http://www.stainlesssteelbrakes.com

Part Number Description Price
A123 Non-power disc brake conversion kit.
more... $749.00

A123-1 Power disc brake conversion kit.
more... $849.00

TIGER EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection for the Traditional Pontiac Engine. [email protected]

[smasse64]

FYI: this is not my personal info, but on a may 3, 2002 tech forum for a black 65 GTO the guy related the facts of his conversion:
all used spindles from 84/85 2wd s-10 blazer, then all new everthing else. *important:

only mod needed is the lower ball joint or control arm needs to be shaved to fit. they used www.globalwest.com for the parts. they got mast cyl from 75 nova and stock 65 gto power booster.

i won't pass judgement, but the guy did it for $330 in part costs vs 900-1000 via a new kit.
do with this as you may. steve

[jays68yak]

Give this site a look: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...es_on_fgen.htm

You could prob get 13" rotors to work. Just most likly wont fit under the ralleys. Good info tho.