I know we're not supposed to promote product here but I' have to at least mention this. Recently I bought a complete set of brake shoes from Praise Dyno Brake. I had replaced the rear shoes and still had lots of material on the front shoes on my '67, but slowing down from a full 1/4 blast entailed a huge PUCKER FACTOR.

In lieu of installing discs I decided to go the "cheap" route of purchasing semi-metallic Kevlar shoes. I say cheap facitiously 'cause cheap they ain't. The whole set plus new hardware ran close to $250. Yeow.

Well, I finally ran up the new 427 this weekend and I must say the new shoes are a dramtic improvement over stock. Dramatic. Do they rival the 4 wheel disc ABS system in my daily driver? Close, but not quite.

I haven't really stabbed them hard yet. I just got through the recommended brake in period, but they brought my big 'ol 67 down from 90 nice and easy. No fade at all.

none of this was done scientifically, just seat of the paints on a desolate country road ( where only the cows and deer are at risk).

I would highly recommend the Praise shoes for anyone looking for an alternative to a disc setup. They offer either bonded or riveted. Some of the old timers I spoke to don't like the idea of bonded, but that's what I chose. I told the fella, you;re the expert, not me. He said the bonded have more surface area, therefore better braking. But he was quick to add some "old timers" aren't comfortable with bonded. I went with h9is recommendation. In a few weeks I'll have her out at he track and really see what these pups can do, but so far, I'm very pleased with the results.

BTW, this is the only remaining source for hipo shoes I was able to find. These actually had leading/trailing shoes, something I didn;t notice on the Carquest ones I put in before.

Now, I'm no professional mechanic or experienced racer, so please remember this is a layman talking. Your results could be different. But if you suffer the same pucker factor I did, give John Ambrose a call at 1-972-636-2722. They're in Royce City TX. I told him I was a member of an internet car club and that I'd let all my buddies know the deal on his shoes. For me, it was $250 well spent.

Gene Chaas
Gold Member 62
67 SS 396/L88


[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 09-07-99).]

OK. I ran through two simulated 1/4 mile runs tonight with my Praise shoes. Both time my speedo was reading approx 100 and I have a 15% speedo error, so lets says I was doing slightly better than 100. Since the new shoes ( yes, not discs, shoes) are now broken in, I stabbed the brakes hard. WHOA Nellie! no pucker factor at all. They seem to work better under pressure. I have to say they slow my Chevelle down quicker than my friends 68 Camaro with the disc/drum setup. My car is 400 lbs heavier. (?)

They work GREAT. And seemingly better the more you need them. Consider this an unequivocal recommendation. You really should try these before you run out and do a conversion. BTW, all the rest of my system is brand new and I'm running DOT5.

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 09-12-99).]