I am thinking of using the classic performance disc brake kit in my 66 Chevelle. Does anyone here have any experience with these guys. They come highly recommended by a mechanic friend.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/1964_1972_Chevelle_Elcamino/6466FRBKS.htm

Any help would be appreciated.

Ivan

I am thinking of using the classic performance disc brake kit in my 66 Chevelle. Does anyone here have any experience with these guys. They come highly recommended by a mechanic friend.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/1964_1972_Chevelle_Elcamino/6466FRBKS.htm

Any help would be appreciated.

Ivan

Ivan,

I've used their kit on my '64, and it was a really nice set up. My only problem was that the wheels I was using were fairly wide with no offset options. And one thing that they don't tell you about these kits is that they will move the wheels outwards a half an inch on each side. That was enough for my wheels to start rubbing the insides of the inner fenders whenever I hit a dip or bump in the road. And if I hit it hard enough, it would actually stop the wheel from turning, just like I had hit the brakes. I wound up returning the kit and designing a set of caliper brackets for myself, and I used a set of rotors that I cut down for the hubs that set the wheels inboard just over a half an inch. It's turned out really nice.

But back to the kit from CPP. The parts are good quality, and they fit without any problems. You only need to be aware that your wheels will be moved outboard a half an inch on each side. If you are running a stock wheel, that won't matter.

My problem was my wheels weren't stock, and I just bought 5 of them with new tires as well, and I didn't want to have to buy another set of wheels just so that particular brake conversion would work. I also had gotten my kit from OPGI, not from CPP, although OPGI just repackaged it from CPP and marked it up a hundred dollars or so.

You also want to be sure that you get the brake line kit from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve as well. Your's has the single master cylinder on it, so you won't have any original lines to use over. I had to call CPP directly about that when OPGI couldn't supply me with those particular pieces for whatever reason. They simply gave me the phone number to CPP to order them direct. But since you'll be dealing directly with CPP yourself, that shouldn't be an issue.

I didn't have any problems with the quality of their parts at all. They were all very good pieces. I think you'll be happy with them if you should decide to use them. There are several different kits available, depending on how much you want to do, or scrounge from a salvage yard.

Good luck on your conversion. It's well worth the trouble just for the peace of mind, knowing you can stop that thing just as fast as you got it rolling in the first place.

I have a 66 also and a wanting to do the same thing. Been sitting here all night reading old posts. what I am still un clear on is will they for sure fit in my 15 inch wheels. I went for a cruise monday and am sure I need to update my manual drum brakes. Also front and rear convert or just front? Sunday cruiser. Not trying to hijack post.

I have them on my 59
4-whl power disc

The 7" booster does not provide a lot of assist
The front discs have been virtually trouble free----(came with 2" drop spindles)
At the time (2005) customer service and tech help was good

I am running repro 8" ralleys on all 4 corners of this car


Not sure yet what my plans are for the 66

I have 7 inch wheels vintiqe corvette rally on front 4 inch back space front 8 inch 4.5 back space rear. are the rear park brakes a big pain as I have read? I will need to use 7 inch booster to clear my valve covers

I installed the same kit on my 66 last year and except for three minor problems it went great and works as advertised. First I ordered direct from CPP. As Rick mentioned I think they package kits for a lot of the other vendors. Better to work with them direct. I got the slotted and cross drilled rotors, Stainless caliper lines and and a smaller double diaphragm booster to clear tall 454 valve covers.Now for the problems. #1-The dust caps that came in the kit would not fit the calipers. They sent a second set that would not fit either. Used my old ones as you can't see them anyway.#2- The brake lines from the frame to the proportioning valve did not line up at all. Had to bend the quite a bit to fit the valve. #3-My kit did have the lines from the MC to the Prop. valve but the booster to firewall mounting brackets were missing. Had to wait for them to ship a set before I could finish the install. So check your kit before you start to make sure you have all the necessary parts. Other than that it is a good company to do business with and an excellent product.
Good luck.

Thank you all for the replies. For the same money is there another game in town?:confused:

Hey Ivan,
I also have done a CPP brake conversion just this winter. If you need more input, let me know. I will say the car stops hard and straight!!:hurray:

Marc:beers:

Ivan, since you're in the SF Bay Area, check out Matt's Bowtie in Dublin CA. That's where I got the CPP kit for my 66.

I used the complete drop spindle kit for my front brakes a few years ago. Everything came fully assembled and mounted on the spindle. Customer service was great when I needed to exchange for a different booster. The only caution I have is that the drop spindle kits use a rotor from a late model Malibu, and the center hub seems extra long. With the dust cap mounted I was forced to use some larger center caps for my wheels, because the stock ones wouldn't clear. I have since switched to Corvette Rallys, and I had to use the sombrero center caps because the smaller "disc brake" caps won't fit!

Thanks again for the replies I will check out Matts Bowtie in Dublin as suggested. I am 0n the verge of affording the kit. 1 week away!:hurray:

I installed their Big Brake kit, discs on on four corners. They look and work great, but I did have some issues.

The issues,

I had ordered powder coated calipers and I had to file some of it off due to clearance issues with the rotors. Instructions stated this would be a possibility, not a major issue.

I had some clearance issues with the rear Calipers and the shocks. I added a some washers to the shock mount and that took care of it.

The parking brake cable is very tight between the shock mount and the caliper. With the powder coating, I had to drill the mounting hole out a little to get them to fit.

I decided not to go with the power booster and CPP neglected to state that I would have to create custom brake lines.

The MC came with the prop valve set up to mount on the outside and it would not clear the inner fender. I called CPP and they shipped me the reverse P Valve kit to put it on the engine side of the MC. I had to pay shipping for the new and shipping for the returned part to get credit. Then after I received the one that fit on the inside, it was so close to the exhaust that I mounted it on the Frame for a cleaner look anyway. I would have thought that CPP would have sold enough of these kits that they would know about the clearance issues and would have documented it.

The last issue was it took for ever to bleed them. I tried the power bleeders, the two man pump and release etc, I even took them to a shop that vacuum bleed them, they were worse after that. The only thing that finally worked was I made home made pressure bleeder out of a garden sprayer.

There is really no such think as a perfect kit, no matter what upgrade you are doing, that is half the fun.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll311/Madmax_1966/DSC00275-1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll311/Madmax_1966/DSC00180.jpg

Thanks again for the replies I will check out Matts Bowtie in Dublin as suggested. I am 0n the verge of affording the kit. 1 week away!:hurray:

Matt's got the best prices on these kits too. I got mine from his shop through his ebay store. If his ebay prices are lower you might be able to buy it on his ebay and then go pick it up from the shop or something. They were certainly a great place to deal with though :thumbsup:

Here is a comperable kit we sell a lot of for a lot less money. Only $950 complete compared to $1199 from CPP.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/AFXDC41C.jpg

Did you guys go with the 13" on front and 12" on the rear? What about wheel stud size? Is the ebrake a real problem or does it work fine after its installed? Re the bleeders on top or bottom?
Thanks