SSBC Disc Brake Conversion Kit

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JTG

JTG

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I was contemplating on purchasing one of these SSBC disc brake conversion kits (W153) for the front of my 68 Cuda. If someone has already installed one of these kits on their ride maybe you can please tell how straight forward it is. I want to keep the small bolt pattern and also drive it with the original 14" steel wheels. The steel rims on the front of my car have been widened to 6 inches, but the tech at SSBC is informing me that the rims will probably need to 7 inches wide in order to provide enough space for the calipers. I really don't want to buy this product to find out that a bunch of parts need to changed or modified to accommodate this kit.
 
I can’t believe no one replied to your post so hopefully not to late??

I did this swap a couple of years ago. It was very easy, just removing the old drum, hub, backing plate and put the new stuff on; bleed the system and your Good To Go. It was one of the best upgrades I have done. I can’t comment on the wheel though as I went to the large bolt pattern at the same time and had new wheels. Not sure how wider wheels would create more space for the calipers though, maybe taller (like 15”)??? But again I did not stay with the sbp.
 
JTG, I'm running that kit on the Demon. I have 14 X6 front ralleys and they clear no problems. I am also running the small bolt pattern on mine.
 
Thanks Keith Mopar and Swinger71 for the reply, this will help with my decision to go forward with this kit. It really didn't make much sense what the tech at SSBC was saying.
 
I installed ssbc set up on my 67 barracuda last year. I have 2 sets of wheels and tires. My original wheels will not fit over the calipers, which stinks because I just bought 4 new radials for the original wheels.
 
i have them on my car also i love them they look great and was really easy to install as far as the wheels go im sorry i cant help i am running 17x7s with no trouble
 
Hi 67 Baccaruda, I'm now curious since your car would be the same as my 68 Barracuda, which kit did you purchase from SSBC? The one with the cast iron calipers or the kit with the aluminum ones. The pistons in the cast iron setup are smaller which should make for a smaller caliper then the aluminum. The clearance problem you had with the original rims was it do to the width or the height of the rim? I've had my original 14" steel rims widened to 14x6 on the front and 14x8 on the back.
 
My question would be : Why would you want to go to an aftermarket solution which means you have to buy replacement parts from the aftermarket vendor, when you can do this for less money with factory parts?


If you plan to stick with the SBC wheels, then this solution makes a little more sense, but even with SBC, you can buy the SBC rotors, calipers, brake hoses, lines, master cylinder, wheel bearings and seals, for relatively cheap?
The only item you may have to look for, and I believe these are now available, are the SBC Kelsey - Hayes spindles. The SBC rotor hats also can be a bit of an issue - in terms of locating - but if you try Moparts, and Ebay you will not have any trouble locating theses two parts.

If you have a factory drum setup, moving to the LBP is an even better move.
 
JTG said:
Hi 67 Baccaruda, I'm now curious since your car would be the same as my 68 Barracuda, which kit did you purchase from SSBC? The one with the cast iron calipers or the kit with the aluminum ones. The pistons in the cast iron setup are smaller which should make for a smaller caliper then the aluminum. The clearance problem you had with the original rims was it do to the width or the height of the rim? I've had my original 14" steel rims widened to 14x6 on the front and 14x8 on the back.
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Hi JTG,

I have The cast iron A-153 kit http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SSB-A153/ I have the clearance problem with the origional steel wheels. I was able to use my 6" Ansen Sprints after massaging the cross over tubing slightly. The joint between the bolt flange and the rim section of the stock wheels interferes with the outside upper edge of the caliper.
 
Hi Baccaruda, are your Ansen Sprints rims 14" or 15" diameter? Your original steel rims were they the 14x5.5?
Thank you for your continious replys
 
Hi Vs29H1B, I do understand your option would be cheaper, what size diameter would the factory rotors be? With the SSBC kit I can still use the existing spindles, if I go with the factory setup your saying I will require to change the spindles? My car is 10inch drum brakes all the way around at the moment, I 100% agree going to the LBP is better and going with 15" rims is probably better also. Its just my SBP steel rims are brand new and I spend the exact money to get them widened, and I have the original 14" wheel covers from 68 brand new still in the sealed packages. These are the reasons I want to keep my SBP and 14" rims.
 
My Ansen Sprint's are 14x6 SBP Not sure what my stock wheels are but i'm sure they are 6" or smaller.
 
JTG said:
I was contemplating on purchasing one of these SSBC disc brake conversion kits (W153) for the front of my 68 Cuda. If someone has already installed one of these kits on their ride maybe you can please tell how straight forward it is. I want to keep the small bolt pattern and also drive it with the original 14" steel wheels. The steel rims on the front of my car have been widened to 6 inches, but the tech at SSBC is informing me that the rims will probably need to 7 inches wide in order to provide enough space for the calipers. I really don't want to buy this product to find out that a bunch of parts need to changed or modified to accommodate this kit.
Click to expand...


Hmm.... I think ideally you would need at least 15" wheels, dude...
 
67Baccaruda said:
I installed ssbc set up on my 67 barracuda last year. I have 2 sets of wheels and tires. My original wheels will not fit over the calipers, which stinks because I just bought 4 new radials for the original wheels.
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Couldn't you try to use the "optional" 10.87" HD rotors and some "special" adapters?
 
Some early stock rims in the small pattern will not fit over discs (even stock disc's) All ralleys rims will work. So you may have to find some different rims. These old style rims were made to fit over the old drums only.

here is a pic of the 14 X 6 ralley over the SSBC kit. I have the cast iron callipers
 

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I installed some on my 66 cuda easy install only had to open up two bolt holes to accomidate the bolts in the kit.However i bought some steeleys for a fourmula s with disks and they hit the caliper i smoothed out the top of the caliper but still rubbed added spacers and they were fine[i hate spacers]i ended up purchasing rallys and all is well no clearance issues.Also the rotors are drilled for both small and big bolt pattern so if you go to a big pattern rear, just exchange studs in the front.I have had them on my cuda for three years no problems very happy with their product.
 
Keith Mopar said:
Some early stock rims in the small pattern will not fit over discs (even stock disc's) All ralleys rims will work. So you may have to find some different rims. These old style rims were made to fit over the old drums only.

here is a pic of the 14 X 6 ralley over the SSBC kit. I have the cast iron callipers
Click to expand...

Looking at doing this myself very soon, so let me see if I get this right?
When going from manual drums to manual disc you will need this kit,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SSB-A153/ kit fits both SBP & BBP in 14" ralleys only & comes with disc rotors that are drilled for both?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SSB-A153-2/ kit fits 15" ralleys only & must have 10" OE manual brakes to start with, this is due to having aluminum 4 spot calipers.

Do you need to change the spindle's on either of these kits?
Do you need a up dated brake propotioning value?
Are these a genuine bolt on kit?

As living where I'am makes it hard to get all the parts.
 
This is my update since I posted this thread last year, I did purchase the SSBC brake conversion kit part# W153, inorder for me to use my sbp factory original 14" steelies with this kit I needed to use a 1/4" spacer to clear the calipers, as mentioned by lou3500. And had to slightly redirect the line on top of the calipers also, due to clearance issues, with that being said the disc brakes are on and work excellent. Bonus is that the rotors in this kit have the holes for both large or small bolt pattern rims.
 
Do you need to change the spindle's on either of these kits?
Do you need a up dated brake proportioning value?
Are these a genuine bolt on kit?

MR4V

The 153 Kit I installed was complete. It includes an adjustable proportioning valve for the rear to install downstream of your factory valve. Even includes all hoses and brake lines to convert from single master cylinder to dual if your car is 1966 or older. Instructions are also very good. I was impressed overall with installation and performance.
 
67Baccaruda said:
Do you need to change the spindle's on either of these kits?
Do you need a up dated brake proportioning value?
Are these a genuine bolt on kit?

MR4V

The 153 Kit I installed was complete. It includes an adjustable proportioning valve for the rear to install downstream of your factory valve. Even includes all hoses and brake lines to convert from single master cylinder to dual if your car is 1966 or older. Instructions are also very good. I was impressed overall with installation and performance.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, looking for a kit for a 73 Duster & want to retain my 14" ralleys.
By the looks of the above threads you installed the castiron calipers, is there any differance in size on the alloy ones?

Has anyone compared these to Willwood kit?
 
I have them on my Dart

My stock never on the ground 14" spare tire and steel wheel would not clear the caliper, my 14 x 6 Crager SS fit fine

I used DOT 5 brake fluid and it damaged the seals in the calibers. Sent them back to SSBC and they rebuilt them for FREE and even the return shipping on their dime after about 5 years.

Ask the question of what to do if or when I needed pads of anything. He said go to the parts store and get brake pads for a 65-66 Mustang with disc brakes, but their setup for the A Bodies is the same as the factory design used on "A"s with 4 piston setup

The install is very easy. Mine was all new stuff as I was building the car.
 
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