Disc brake conversion (70 Dart)
If NASA needs anybody to design a brake system for the next generation Martian Rover, you guys should apply for the job.
Who in the real world gives a s*#t about all this technical bs that is being thrown out here in this guys posting in just wanting to put disc brakes on his car.
The common Joe Blow, enthusiast, just want's to get rid of the drums.
Ok, my rant is over.
Jim I totally agree. StPaulSwinger can use the 73+ parts he has with some new and reconditioned parts and he'll have excellent brakes, and he doesn't even have to worry about considering significantly more expensive options.
I think
some of the discussion about actual braking force is worthwhile though, because people incorrectly believe that more expensive aftermarket brakes are always somehow inherently better, without even considering the actual physics at work.
So, yeah, I think showing that the Wilwoods will actually generate
LESS braking force at the caliper is important. Now, the opinions can fly about whether or not the Wilwood design can make up for the 24% disadvantage they have in piston area. But I think a
reasonable person can look at those numbers and realize that, at best, the Wilwood Dynalites are realistically in the same ballpark as the 73+ Mopar calipers for stopping power. The margin in performance between the two is likely small, probably only a few percent in either direction.
Bottom line..buy WILWOOD when you can afford them...leave the old crappy factory design to those who want to be CHEAP!!
Actually, the bottom line is that the Wilwoods are mostly just more expensive, and that even an optimistic interpretation of the physics would put them in about the same performance ballpark as the 73+ brakes.
So they're a great choice if you have money to burn and like bragging about performance you don't understand, but not nearly as great where the rubber actually hits the road.