Disc Brakes with Drums in Rear

[Fordication]

I was wondering. With todays technology is there any reason to convert the rear drums to disc and if so, do I really need to change out my master cylinder?

[blue65coupe]

Not all cars today are built with 4 wheel discs.  That tells me something.  Not that 4 wheel discs don't have a benefit.  I think it's more of a personal preference unless you're racing or even dd'ing it.

[Fast68back]

Nah, they just look cooler behind cool wheels than drums

[Fordication]

That is what I was thinking.

[Starfury]

There isn't a huge benefit from rear discs on a street car.  The auto industry started doing that as a performance improvement a while back, then realized that it doesn't really help that much for a lot of street vehicles, especially econoboxes and trucks, so now we're starting to see rear drums return to a lot of vehicles.  Rear drums are much cheaper, and for the rear they generally work just fine.

That said, if you plan on tracking the car, rear discs are probably a good idea.  Discs give a more linear braking quality and they don't fade like drums do.  You'll likely never encounter fade on rear drums while street driving, but on a track you're more likely to see a little fade in the rear.

[Fordication]

Thanks. That is what I expected and since one of you already posted pics on how to paint and restore the rear end I will be doing that soon.

[Havok1]

Glad to see this up here 'cause I was contemplating the same thing, rear drum or disc.  Still not decided, but the fact that discs look better weighs heavy...

[Fast68back]

Look how sexy that looks.........

 

[Fordication]

It does look good but my money goes toward real performance and stability before I spend it on brakes. I will probably go that route eventually though but first I need to make the car as modern as possible but still keep it looking original.  Just my 2 cents.