Junkyard brake upgrades...stupid person asking questions

They can pretty much be rebuilt forever too. Long term, they're probably dirt cheap.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

There aren't many around anymore, but 20 years ago, parts stores still used parts catalogs.  They were these huge racks of binders about 3 feet wide.  Those parts catalogs helped me greatly.  They list every spec.  It's old-school and tedious, but if you can find a mom-n-pop store that still has some, ask for their last-year's catalogs.

I used that to help me find brake upgrades by comparing master cylinder and wheel caliper volumes and surface areas, offsets of rotors, etc.  It's analog, but I found it to be kinda zen.

I was able to put 3/4 ton 8 lug brakes on a 66 Bonneville that way, and was able to choose the right master, booster, and calipers to make it work.  I also discovered that Dodge Dakota shocks were a good match for the rear which had been upgraded to a 10.5" floater.

This is exactly the kind of thing I would like to do. There's only one place in town I can think of, he might have Parts catalogs in paper but the guy is such a douchebag. I would have thought this would be something easily found on the internet but I guess not. I was hoping I could just put in some parameters on the internet and have info pop up. Mind you I can't even get someone to give me a piece of information in an actual group related to specific car. Where does one get these catalogs today? Are they even printed anymore?

wvumtnbkr said:

1991 Nissan 300zx calipers are under $100, 4 piston, aluminum, and fit under a 16 inch wheel at least.

I know 2nd gen rx7 calipers are 4 piston, aluminum, and fit under 15 inch wheels, but they are hard to find.

 

Edit to add:  willwood probably ARE the answer here.  They are cheap and have YUGE support.

 

I super appreciate the info. I looked up the master calipers on RockAuto but they claim to be cast iron even though four piston sounds overboard, the Nissan one sound perfect. Super annoying since I walked past one not that long ago at an auto wrecker. I didn't even think to check. I know the little woods sound great but I'm hoping to find something that a bunch of people can use and find parts for easily, especially if there's a problem if you know what I mean. What's really annoying, is I checked on a rock to see what the Porsche Boxster calipers were like. They don't show front ones available. And 16 in the maximum I need.

Keith Tanner said:

Spicshaft said:

ShawnG said:

For aluminum calipers, the easy button is probably Wilwood calipers and an adapter plate.

As mentioned, I'm trying to do the junkyard upgrade instead of going for something ultra niche. Thanks.

Thing is that Wilwood calipers aren't really niche. You won't find them in junkyards, but you do find used ones being sold by racers which is kinda the same thing. As a bonus, you can get every possible brake pad compound for them and they come in whatever combo of pad size and piston area you might want.

Adapter plates can sometimes be made out of plate steel. They're not necessarily difficult. I fitted a set of Wilwood calipers to a VW Vanagon using a grinder, belt sander and a welder. 
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/make-the-bus-stop-custom-vanagon-brakes/159030/page1/

Then I did a second version. 
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/making-the-bus-stop-part-2/173971/page1/

I totally hear what you're saying. There was a Wilwood kit that was put together by an owner. He had brackets made. There was an issue with the lack of dust seals that drove a lot of people crazy. That's all I remember. I really have a bit of a bent on doing the junkyard upgrade. It's been done once, I'd like to see if it can be done again. Especially when considering the just in case I need a caliper today type of situation, where you can literally go to your local parts store. I'm trying to check out Porsche calipers, and some look promising, unfortunately the series one Boxster calipers are not available on a RockAuto for me to have a look.

You are placing a lot of faith in your local parts store's inventory of old obsolete calipers :)

Theres a lot of FUD about the lack of dust seals on Wilwood calipers, but we've been selling them for street brakes for over a quarter century and they need rebuilding about as often as stock ones. There are "extra seal" variants available if you're concerned. 

Keith Tanner said:

You are placing a lot of faith in your local parts store's inventory of old obsolete calipers :)

Theres a lot of FUD about the lack of dust seals on Wilwood calipers, but we've been selling them for street brakes for over a quarter century and they need rebuilding about as often as stock ones. There are "extra seal" variants available if you're concerned. 

I just wish people would answer the questions asked instead of the one not asked

Spicshaft said:

Keith Tanner said:

You are placing a lot of faith in your local parts store's inventory of old obsolete calipers :)

Theres a lot of FUD about the lack of dust seals on Wilwood calipers, but we've been selling them for street brakes for over a quarter century and they need rebuilding about as often as stock ones. There are "extra seal" variants available if you're concerned. 

I just wish people would answer the questions asked instead of the one not asked

There is a lot of experience on this forum.

I understand the want to do the junkyard upgrade.  However, I'm not sure there is much more info to throw your way.  You are doing it properly by using rock auto and whatnot.  I just don't think anybody has the exact experience you are looking for.

I know you don't want to hear it, but the wilwood option is probably cheaper in the long run.  They also have a much bigger support aystem than any stock calipers.  There is even a number you can call and ask questions.  Parts are readily available.

Hopefully you can find a stock type caliper to solve your issue.  If not, Wilwood is a fantastic choice.  

We probably don't know because none of us have done this swap, all we can do is tell you where to look.

You could very well be the person who knows the most about this conversion.

I'm in the process of doing a junkyard drum to disc swap. The car is a 1955 Ford Customline. The donors were a 71 Ford LTD for the discs and knuckles a 70 Comet for the Master and proportioning valve. I used Rockauto for much of the research. If you want to know more let me know.

wvumtnbkr said:

Spicshaft said:

Keith Tanner said:

You are placing a lot of faith in your local parts store's inventory of old obsolete calipers :)

Theres a lot of FUD about the lack of dust seals on Wilwood calipers, but we've been selling them for street brakes for over a quarter century and they need rebuilding about as often as stock ones. There are "extra seal" variants available if you're concerned. 

I just wish people would answer the questions asked instead of the one not asked

There is a lot of experience on this forum.

I understand the want to do the junkyard upgrade.  However, I'm not sure there is much more info to throw your way.  You are doing it properly by using rock auto and whatnot.  I just don't think anybody has the exact experience you are looking for.

I know you don't want to hear it, but the wilwood option is probably cheaper in the long run.  They also have a much bigger support aystem than any stock calipers.  There is even a number you can call and ask questions.  Parts are readily available.

Hopefully you can find a stock type caliper to solve your issue.  If not, Wilwood is a fantastic choice.  

I got it, I've just heard Wilwood so many times I don't need to hear it again lol. It's in the back of my mind. A bunch of us just don't want to Fork out that much cash for calipers and rotors, especially since replacement parts aren't things we can pick up locally same day so to speak. I'm just asking questions. Nissan 300 sounds good, Cadillac looks somewhat promising.

L5wolvesf said:

I'm in the process of doing a junkyard drum to disc swap. The car is a 1955 Ford Customline. The donors were a 71 Ford LTD for the discs and knuckles a 70 Comet for the Master and proportioning valve. I used Rockauto for much of the research. If you want to know more let me know.

Any ideas where I can get information on the distance between mounting holes for calipers? That's the big one right now. Thanks for the reply. I really really appreciate it

Spicshaft said:

L5wolvesf said:

I'm in the process of doing a junkyard drum to disc swap. The car is a 1955 Ford Customline. The donors were a 71 Ford LTD for the discs and knuckles a 70 Comet for the Master and proportioning valve. I used Rockauto for much of the research. If you want to know more let me know.

Any ideas where I can get information on the distance between mounting holes for calipers? That's the big one right now. Thanks for the reply. I really really appreciate it

I didn't have to deal with that measurement since the donor gave me everything from the knuckle out. I did measuring confirmations the old fashioned way - at the wrecking yard.