• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Who has used Muscle Car Brakes kits for drum brakes?

TxDon

Well-Known Member
Local time
3:03 AM
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
455
Reaction score
442
Location
McKinney, TX
I'm over on CBBO now but thinking of upgrading my Monaco drum brakes, looking for experience of anyone who has used Muscle Car Brakes parts on their car.
 
Thanks everyone for posting, I have heard all great things about this company, and even called them once asking some questions. I was impressed that the guy I spoke to was not just a phone jockey, he seemed to know his shizz! I’m happy someone who uses these brakes posted! Thanks Dennis H
 
I’m installing my now! Front and back 11”

182126EF-219B-4434-B187-FF5BB6166F9B.jpeg
 
Good modulation and plenty of stopping power. I don’t make 3-4 subsequent high speed stops in a row ever so there has been no fade. Even after driving the Hellcat with the biggest and fanciest (most expensive) brakes i still like and feel confident in the Coronet.
 
What comes in the box? The website is confusing. It looks like you get their "special" shoes and wheel cylinders, and "trick" springs and hardware for $198ea = $400 for whole car. No Drums?

I just bought all that at rockauto.com for less than 1/4 the price, but it's all stock replacement parts.

Is it really that much better? Looks gimmicky to me: "31 LB Heavy Trick Spring Kit".
 
Last edited:
I wish the stuff available through discount parts houses was "stock replacement".
It isn't - and hasn't been in years now. Inferior friction materials abound...
I have replaced all the shoes and such on my GTX with brand name aftermarket stuff and the pedal is good, but there's just no "bite" like there should be.
A lot of that happened several years ago with the banning of asbestos and such, but it goes further than that - the disc brake aftermarket has all manner of very good and aggressive friction materials available, after all.

Why not for our old drums, too? Simple - market is limited for them.

MCB uses proprietary materials in their stuff and when things get "normal" for me again, I'll be fetching their stuff for Fred - based mostly on recommendations like Dennis' as well as the fact that I always try to give my business to companies like them.
I want to encourage such in our hobby so that we aren't just stuck with Rock Auto options...
 
Last edited:
Here's what I bought at rockauto.com:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1624370&cc=1240535&jsn=421

All they say is that the material is riveted on and "Specialized friction formulas for hard working vehicles". I guess you have to take their word for it. But it's only $22 for rear axle, plus $18 for 2 wheel cylinders, and $4 for the hardware kit.

So for $198 vs $44, they need to show me how much better their stuff is. I can't tell anything by looking at their website.
 
Last edited:
Here's what I bought at rockauto.com:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1624370&cc=1240535&jsn=421

All they say is that the material is riveted on and "Specialized friction formulas for hard working vehicles". I guess you have to take their word for it. But it's only $22 for rear axle, plus $18 for 2 wheel cylinders, and $4 for the hardware kit.

So for $198 vs $44, they need to show me how much better their stuff is. I can't tell anything by looking at their website.
Centric, eh? How do they work for you? Perhaps you can write up something for the rest of us in the way of a
review - kind of like others have for the MPB stuff.
If those work for you, more power to ya. :thumbsup:
 
Centric, eh? How do they work for you? Perhaps you can write up something for the rest of us in the way of a
review - kind of like others have for the MPB stuff.
If those work for you, more power to ya. :thumbsup:



What other reviews? Dennis is the only one I’ve read, and he says good modulation and plenty of stopping power. That’s enough for you to pay 4 times more?
I’m sure other brake pads have good stopping power too. If he explained how they were an improvement over the stock equipment I’d be more satisfied.


As far as my brakes, my car hasn’t been registered since 1978. I won’t have any before or after to give you, but if you want, I will review it for you.

All I’m saying is if their product is all they say it is, why not post some proof on their website?
 
Last edited:
Yeah, they are not cheap. The shoes are advertised to be a blend of materials superior to standard. They’ve been on about 10 or more years. Well over 70k miles. Wallet is a big consideration. I splurged and am pleased with the results. I’m not trying to sell them.
 
I weighed the cost of a Dr Diff disc conversion versus the musclecarbrakes. On paper the Dr Diff conversion is lower cost and you get the big advantage of disc braking and off the shelf pads for replacement at any auto parts store.
I went the Dr Diff route and am quite pleased with the braking.
Having said that if I were to do over again I would go musclecarbrakes. I had several nightmares during the conversion (not the fault of Dr Diff).
My friend has a 68 chevelle SS and I've driven it with musclecarbrakes drums all around. I have also driven Dennis car, and I must say I am impressed with the braking of musclecarbrakes.
 
What other reviews? Dennis is the only one I’ve read, and he says good modulation and plenty of stopping power. That’s enough for you to pay 4 times more?
This site has a handy SEARCH box. Works wonders.
So do Google and other web search engines...
MCB is no stranger to our hobby. Plenty of folks have written about them....
but since you've not so much as tried out the brand you're touting here, I guess
that immediate comparison ain't happening here, eh?

I'm quite serious - if what you've bought suits you, based only on price or whatever, that's great!
You're the only one that has to be happy with your choice ultimately.
We're done here.
 
Yeah, they are not cheap. The shoes are advertised to be a blend of materials superior to standard. They’ve been on about 10 or more years. Well over 70k miles. Wallet is a big consideration. I splurged and am pleased with the results. I’m not trying to sell them.
Holy crap Dennis, I had no idea! That kind of mileage FRONT AND REARS?
Hell, factory stuff didn't do that!
So.... better bite and lasts ridiculously long amounts of time, eh? Sold me.
 
This site has a handy SEARCH box. Works wonders.
So do Google and other web search engines...
MCB is no stranger to our hobby. Plenty of folks have written about them....
but since you've not so much as tried out the brand you're touting here, I guess
that immediate comparison ain't happening here, eh?

I'm quite serious - if what you've bought suits you, based only on price or whatever, that's great!
You're the only one that has to be happy with your choice ultimately.
We're done here.

I think you may have a reading comprehension problem.
What brand am I touting?
I tout NO BRAND!!!!
I bought brake parts for a car, that’s it! I’m just asking what makes MCB product worth 4-6 times more! That’s it!
The OP is asking for first hand experience, and Dennis is the one and ONLY person to post that experience.

I’ve read the article on MCB they posted on their website and it clearly contradicts their own statements.

I am in no way against them, just want facts.

If Google and the search feature has all the answers, why did you even bother posting your opinion?
 
Last edited:
I take it back. I’m probably not a good gauge for normal average use. I don’t brake much. Stick car and cautious distancing contribute too. Not to be confused with slow. At the time of the brake job it got an alignment too.
 
Thanks for the replies. I did run a search here before I posted and MCB is mentioned a lot, which is why I started this thread. The brakes currently on my car, a very large 66 Monaco station wagon, are all very stock with modern replacement linings and work OK but do not inspire confidence! I do hope there are more than two people on here who have actually used MCB and hope they will respond. @Dennis H , you appear to be the main booster so far and have used their stuff the longest. Do you recall your initial impression when you installed them compared to stock?
 
I weighed the cost of a Dr Diff disc conversion versus the musclecarbrakes. On paper the Dr Diff conversion is lower cost and you get the big advantage of disc braking and off the shelf pads for replacement at any auto parts store.
I went the Dr Diff route and am quite pleased with the braking.
Having said that if I were to do over again I would go musclecarbrakes. I had several nightmares during the conversion (not the fault of Dr Diff).
My friend has a 68 chevelle SS and I've driven it with musclecarbrakes drums all around. I have also driven Dennis car, and I must say I am impressed with the braking of musclecarbrakes.
I remember reading the thread about your conversion which is one of the reasons I want to try and stay with drums but improve their performance if I can - thanks.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top