Alright so this is my first post EVER :beers:
I just can't see myself paying $600 for a front disk brake conversion kit. (cheapest I've found and yes I'm a cheap ass) Especially taking into account the fact that THEY LOOK CHEAP!! I'm sure I could source the disk brakes off of another A Body but I really don't want to go through to trouble of refurbishing 40 year old brake parts. Is there something a little more modern, that I can source the front disc brakes from. Maybe something that won't require an engineering degree in order to make it work? What all would I need to change out?? Really appreciate anyone's input.

Background info: 68 307 Powerglide Malibu convertible. (307 is out, have 327 to go in. Looking for 350 or 400 Turbo to replace PG)

It's my understanding any disc brake setup from 70's A body will fit. Hit the wrecking yards they are full of them. Mid 70's MonteCarlos?? They are really simple to rebuild and almost free. Re-think the used setup if your on a budget. :beers:

You can convert your drum spindles to disc spindles then get the dust shields, caliper brackets, and hardware from Right Stuff as well as the rotors, hoses, hose brackets, calipers, pads, bearings, & seals and have yourself disc brakes. Total cost is about $500.

Man you guys are fast! Yes I agree used is probably the way to go for me. Really what I'm asking is if its within possibility that I could get the brakes from something like a Camaro or Trans am or something, you know like a 90s or 2000 or something along those lines. I'm kind of under the impression that the more modern the better, but I really don't know. Are 40yr old brake caliper designs just as good as more recent designs. Is there even a significant difference?

http://www.pozziracing.com/12_corvette_brakes_on_fgen.htm

theres a saying about motorcycles...

you buy a $50 helmet for a $50 head...it applies for brakes too...

$600 now may seem like alot but think of it this way its you new baby sitting in the back seat and you used old junk yard find and your brakes fail....... just to paint a grim picture do the right thing and pay the price to save your "baby" and your pain.
all in one kit with little or no mods not to sound like an A** but people freakin make me mad when they skimp on the brakes most important part of your ride i have seen some pretty shady non safe hardware on some braking systems and it scars the crap out of me knowing this person has been driving around risking others lives to save a penny.
please dont take this wrong just do the right thing and buy new

Hey Drop...Just keep looking on e-bay and craigslist. After looking for a year I found a guy on craigslidt with a 68 firebird set.....he wanted $400.00 so I negotiated him down to $225. I waited about a month and asked if he was still sitting on them.....Yep, I offered $180, and he accepted...
When I got home I could see that they were made by SSBC, and were still new in the box...SSBC was charging over $800.00 for that set up...he had the power booster, master cylinder....now all I have to buy is a proportioning valve, and lines for about $100..... just keep looking, and look for cutlass, skylark, 442, GTO, chevelle, monte Carlo,
67-69 camaro/ Firebird... and a few years of Nova.

I scored big time, you can too, just be patient and ask a LOT of questions

Craigslist, San Jose, Ca.....$295 everything you need ! check it out

Hey now I'm not trying to skimp on my brakes, I just don't think that NEW cheap looking brake parts are any safer than good USED brakes. I don't think that used brake parts should be considered unsafe. My truck has 175,000 mi on it but I trust the brakes that came on it. Again what I was REALLY wanting to know is if there is a modern sports car brake setup that was a popular conversion for our A Bodies. I'm with you on the fact that brakes are #1 most important part on your car so please don't misunderstand me. Thank for the replies everyone.

Check Summit, they have a new line of disk brake conversions that are very cheap. Just bought a set of rears to replace my CPP brakes on a Fab9, They turn out to be made by SSBC, real nice stuff for under $400.

i bought the kit from right stuff, no issues to speak of. happy so far.

So I've read almost every post regarding disc brake conversion and am probably more confused than when I started. Bottom line is, I need to convert the front drums on my '68 Chevelle and don't have the time to go to junk yards or search for multiple parts on the internet. Most complete kits that I have seen at various sites are between $550 and $700. The question is, which one should I buy.

I have a '68 Chevelle Malibu, 350 engine, Powerglide trans. Original P/S, P/B,
A/C.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jim

When I researched a disc conversion, I compared the options of buying a complete kit vs. assembling the parts from scratch and found that it was actually cheaper in the long run to buy a complete kit.

You have to remember you will need a new master cylinder, booster, and prop valve because your drum units will not work. You will also find other problems as you get in to the project, like hard lines, flex lines, ball joints, bushings, etc.. I found a cracked lower control arm on mine. That added $150 to the project.

Bottom line. I bought a kit from Right Stuff Detailing. I paid $1175 for a 4 wheel conversion with a full hard line kit, stainless flex lines, and upper and lower ball joints, shipped to my door. Everything fit. No problems. No trips to the salvage yard or parts store.

FWIW, regarding 4 wheel conversions. When I compared the price of fully rebuilding my rear drums vs. upgrading to discs, the price was about the same when I assumed a worse case scenario on the drums. For the added stopping power of the discs with a heavy car, the rear discs were the better option hands down.

Thanks Jeff, there's so many kits out there now and it's hard to tell if they contain quality parts. Ground Up has a front kit for $595 and includes drilled and slotted rotors and Delco Moraine stamped upgrades. Did you use a 9" or 11" booster?

Thanks Jeff, there's so many kits out there now and it's hard to tell if they contain quality parts. Ground Up has a front kit for $595 and includes drilled and slotted rotors and Delco Moraine stamped upgrades. Did you use a 9" or 11" booster?

Sure thing Jim. I went with the 11" booster for the stock appearance. The 9" will give you more clearance for taller valve covers, but will be longer than the 11".

Also, you might want to check with Ground Up, because chances are they sell Right Stuff kits. A lot of resellers do. If so, you might as well order directly from the supplier. Right Stuff had a discount code "auto 511" that was good for 10% off all internet orders. I think it was good until the end of March.

http://www.getdiscbrakes.com/RSeCommerce/ProductDetails.aspx?mName=AFXDC01C&source=List

Good luck with your conversion.