[PontiacHO]

Looking at front power disc brake conversion kits (14 inch wheels) from Ames and The Right Stuff. Both kits come with rotors, calipers-pads, brackets, master cylinder, proportioning valve, needed brake lines, and booster.
Im interested in the kits that use the existing drum brake spindles.
This is for my 1968 Firebird.
Note: The Ames kit does not come with wheel bearings and hub seals This kit is more expensive also. Maybe there's a reason???
Any experiences with either kit would be appreciated.

[RocktimusPryme]

I dont know how different the 14" capable kit is, but I have the standard front and rear disc kit from right stuff.

Its fine. You may have to drill out one of the holes from 7/16 to 1/2. Ive done a number of disc conversions so they blend together but I know I had to do that on one. It probably widens your track with by about 3/8 of an inch.

Almost all of the common disc brake conversions are based on 69-73 Chevelle discs. (I may have that year slightly wrong but its ballpark). They tend to be largely the same.

If I were going to bet money on one having some differences from that formula I would say it would be the Ames kit.

[Verdoro 68]

FWIW, the Summit kit is all Right Stuff components and may save you a few bucks. We used the kit with the smaller booster on my son's Ventura. Aside from the supplied pads being super dusty (swapped them out to PowerStop pads), it's been working great.

[JLMounce]

Be prepared to clearance the back of the caliper. Not in all cases, but in some, the casting flash from the caliper may protrude high enough to contact the wheel hoop, especially with factory 14" wheels. A couple passes with a flap wheel is usually all that is needed.

[64speed]

68-72 AFX body is the original application for most of those kits

[PontiacHO]

Thanks for the replies. Since my new steering box is on, it drives so much better. Now I need it to stop better. The drum brakes stop but not so good in a panic situation. They lock up and can cause more of an issue.

[RocktimusPryme]

IF your drums brakes are in good working order, I wouldn't expect a huge stopping power upgrade.

The big advantage for this type of disc upgrade is easy of maintenance and the fact that it comes in a kit. If you need to completely overhaul your drums you might find that upgrading to discs doesn't cost that much more. So if that's the case where your brakes are a bit tired, you will feel a difference. If your drums are solid, maybe not so much. Just managing expectations.

Discs are superior, but whether you will notice a big difference in normal driving with a common 11" rotor and single piston caliper is questionable. Now big brake kits, or situations where brake fade can come into play are a different story and discs are an enormous upgrade.

[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by PontiacHO

Thanks for the replies. Since my new steering box is on, it drives so much better. Now I need it to stop better. The drum brakes stop but not so good in a panic situation. They lock up and can cause more of an issue.

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

IF your drums brakes are in good working order, I wouldn't expect a huge stopping power upgrade.

The big advantage for this type of disc upgrade is easy of maintenance and the fact that it comes in a kit. If you need to completely overhaul your drums you might find that upgrading to discs doesn't cost that much more. So if that's the case where your brakes are a bit tired, you will feel a difference. If your drums are solid, maybe not so much. Just managing expectations.

Discs are superior, but whether you will notice a big difference in normal driving with a common 11" rotor and single piston caliper is questionable. Now big brake kits, or situations where brake fade can come into play are a different story and discs are an enormous upgrade.

Yup, this is correct. If your current drum setup already has the power to lock up the tires, adding front discs will not meaningfully change your stopping distances.

There's a possibility they could actually make it worse as they may overpower the tire's grip sooner.

To reduce stopping distance, you need more grip, which means a better tire. That may or may not be possible with the 14" wheels.

If you're doing the conversion to get power assist, that's somewhat of a different story and may be worth it depending on your driving style, but again you shouldn't expect reduced stopping distance. Just an easier pedal.

[AG]

I've used two Right Stuff disc setups for A-bodys and both worked very well and were easy to install.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by 64speed

68-72 AFX body is the original application for most of those kits

'68 should be four-piston, solidly-mounted calipers. '69 and later would be the very common single-piston "floating" caliper.

[PontiacHO]

Thanks again for the replies. Appreciate all. My aim is to have a braking system that can effectively be safer by not locking up the wheels during a quick reaction. Disc brakes can lock of course but not nearly as quickly as drum brakes. That in itself can keep a slight situation from becoming an extremely reactive response (car sliding) when it isn’t warranted.
The Right Stuff kit seems the most complete kit I can find with positive reviews. Yes, there may be some clearance issues that seem to easily be resolved. I don’t mind that…

[64speed]

67 is a one year only 4 piston caliper. The change was made in 68 to the D52 caliper

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by 64speed

67 is a one year only 4 piston caliper. The change was made in 68 to the D52 caliper

No, the 68 still used the KH style 4 piston.

Single was in 1969.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by PontiacHO

Yes, there may be some clearance issues that seem to easily be resolved. I don’t mind that…

The way I remember it, OEM steel 14" wheels from drum brake cars don't clear the caliper. 14" wheels from a disc brake car have the rim shaped differently where the caliper would align, to allow more room.

But you'll find out if I'm remembering correctly.

[64speed]

Well I stand corrected. I was under the impression it was an immediate revision because of all the issues