Looking for brake upgrade advice

[FLFrank35]

Hi All,

Looking for opinions. I've got about 600 miles on my truck now and it's a blast, but I think I would like to upgrade the brakes and I'm not sure which route to go. I currently have the 8.8 Moser axle with the 3-link setup and the standard brakes that came with the kit. Without doing a complex/major refit, which would be the best way to go? And how much more effective braking would each option offer?

- Get the Wilwood brakes from FFR?
- Convert to power brakes?
- or one of those add-on boost pump-motors?

Thanks in advance!

[mkassab]

Well... given you said.... "Without doing a complex/major refit...." I'd suggest going with a tried and true easy bolt on Wilwood kit from FFR.

My $0.02
Mark

[Jim1855]

Pads make a huge difference. Maybe something a bit more aggressive. This is easy and shouldn't break the bank.
But you don't describe how you're using the car.
Jim

[RoadRacer]

I’m using HP+ pads which make a difference. Bed them in. Then adjust bias correctly. I find the brakes sufficient on many fast road and autox miles.

But if you’re tracking the car seriously and combating fade, yes there’s no substitute for bigger brakes.. and I’d speak to Gordon Levy about that.

[FLFrank35]

Maybe I didn't word my post properly. I want more effective brakes for sporty street driving (no racing) but I don't really want to completely rip out my entire brake system.

I'm trying to find out what's involved with converting to power brakes. Would I remove my master cylinders, reservoirs and install one of those conversion kits I see at Summit Racing? And then would I need/want to upgrade my pads?

The Wilwood kits look like the easiest solution, although pricy. Are they worth it? Are they noticably more effective than the stock brakes that came with the kit?

Thanks again for the input! Really appreciated!

[RoadRacer]

Maybe I didn't word my post properly. I want more effective brakes for sporty street driving (no racing) but I don't really want to completely rip out my entire brake system.

I'm trying to find out what's involved with converting to power brakes. Would I remove my master cylinders, reservoirs and install one of those conversion kits I see at Summit Racing? And then would I need/want to upgrade my pads?

The Wilwood kits look like the easiest solution, although pricy. Are they worth it? Are they noticably more effective than the stock brakes that came with the kit?

Thanks again for the input! Really appreciated!

If you want more effective street brakes, you just need better pads. That's it.

I get that bigger brakes are sexy.. but the biggest benefit of them (lack of fade) is not seen on the street. So, no, they aren't worth it.

[edwardb]

Unless you've planned ahead and left room on the firewall, adding traditional vacuum or hydroboost power brakes will be challenging. The firewall for the truck and hot rod isn't huge and space is easily taken up by other things including what engine you have which may intrude into the space. I did put power brakes in my truck build because it was part of my theme for an easy to drive street cruiser. But I didn't use the Wilwood pedal box. Automatic trans so didn't need the clutch. So several frame mods during the build and at least how I did it would be difficult on a finished truck. My brakes work fine. But the way I'm driving it not stressed at all.

I'd recommend you go the more aggressive pad for starters. Might make the difference you're looking for. I've used Wilwood brakes on my last few builds. Not because I need them. Just what I wanted. But they are expensive and service parts (pads, rotors, etc.) are also pricey. I agree for street driving they're not really necessary.

[FLFrank35]

If you want more effective street brakes, you just need better pads. That's it.

I get that bigger brakes are sexy.. but the biggest benefit of them (lack of fade) is not seen on the street. So, no, they aren't worth it.

Good to know. I don't necessarily want bigger, just better. Sounds like the consensus is focused on the pads.
Thanks!

[FLFrank35]

Unless you've planned ahead and left room on the firewall, adding traditional vacuum or hydroboost power brakes will be challenging. The firewall for the truck and hot rod isn't huge and space is easily taken up by other things including what engine you have which may intrude into the space. I did put power brakes in my truck build because it was part of my theme for an easy to drive street cruiser. But I didn't use the Wilwood pedal box. Automatic trans so didn't need the clutch. So several frame mods during the build and at least how I did it would be difficult on a finished truck. My brakes work fine. But the way I'm driving it not stressed at all.

I'd recommend you go the more aggressive pad for starters. Might make the difference you're looking for. I've used Wilwood brakes on my last few builds. Not because I need them. Just what I wanted. But they are expensive and service parts (pads, rotors, etc.) are also pricey. I agree for street driving they're not really necessary.

I did't plan to upgrade the the brake system when I was building it, so no, modifying the pedal box/frame is not possible. And I don't know anything about vacuum or hydroboost...still learning.
Thanks!