'73bird
Well-Known Member
So I was thinking of converting my 8 3/4 rearend that sits in my 74 Satellite to disc brakes and was wondering what car is the best to scavenge from in a parts yard for their disc brake set up?
Well, as Richard Ehrenberg says in his 'stop-on-a-dime' article http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html Much has been written about rear discs. Everybody lusts after the early-‘70s Imperial units. In a word, don’t! Chrysler engineers have told me, point blank, that the only reason they went to 4- wheel discs on any car (possibly excluding the Viper) was “competitive pressure”. They feel there’s little performance gain.
1970 Engineering has nearly zero relevance today. Most young EFI tuners have more automotive knowledge than a 1970 Chrysler engineer. We're trapping at 1970 prostock speeds in fat street cars these days. Disc brakes are exponentially better than drums. I swapped on Wilwood rear disc brakes on my Roadrunner. I'll be added Baer dual caliper rear discs on my new build.Well, as Richard Ehrenberg says in his 'stop-on-a-dime' article http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html Much has been written about rear discs. Everybody lusts after the early-‘70s Imperial units. In a word, don’t! Chrysler engineers have told me, point blank, that the only reason they went to 4- wheel discs on any car (possibly excluding the Viper) was “competitive pressure”. They feel there’s little performance gain.
What Fords use this 8.8 and which Jeeps are you referring too? To me most of the kits I see look stock anyways?...well, they are a LOT easier to work on...and less messy.
The way I see it- you're either going to spend a small fortune and end up with a street rod parts look or you're going to spend serious fab time to use marginally stock appearing ford 8.8 or jeep parts.
Some Ford Explorer in the 90s had the 8.8 with rear disc with 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern. Jeeps of the late 90s also had them.
Have both on my car
Scarebird Brackets for both
Rear Brakes
1979-85 Cadillac Eldorado Rear calipers it has a parking brake option
1982-87 Lincoln rear rotors 11-1/4"
Front brakes
1970-72 Ford full size rotors 11-3/4"
1994-99 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton pickup calipers.