I'm planing on restoring my Camaro next spring and one of the things I would like to do is upgrade from standard brake system to a powerbrake system. I have standard drum brakes now and would like to keep the drums but upgrade to power. What parts are needed to be replaced and added for the upgrade?

I upgraded my manual drums a couple of years ago. It is no big deal smile.gif

you need to buy..

booster - make sure you use the lower hole on brake pedal.
POWER DISC master cyl. Do not tell them you have drums!
You may need some additional lines from the brake block to the master due to different sized line nuts on a power disc master cyl.

That is it. BUT, I would inspect all you rubber lines and metal lines. Any weakness or rust and they may pop.

Also you should clean and rebuild all your brakes.

I replaced my entire system, lines, hoses, wheel cyls shoes. Used my homemade power bleeder and they stop on a dime with no spongy pedal. I can lock all 4 up :eek:

Here it is
http://www.fototime.com/CDBFA2046658CFE/standard.jpg

Home made power bleeder? Please, tell us more.

Here is a previous post about it

http://www.camaros.net/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/7/5233.html?

Originally posted by KevinW:
POWER DISC master cyl. Do not tell them you have drums!Why? Drums need RPV's in both outlet ports, and a disc/drum master only has one in the rear port. :confused: graemlins/thumbsup.gif

KevinW,
Thanks for the info, it is a big help. Two questions, why use a power disk master cylinder in place of a power drum master cylinder and what and where is the RPV?

Roger

Well, the parts place (old school place) did not have a listing for a power drum master. so we went round and round on what I needed. I had tried a manual master with a booster on a previous car, disaster! Way too touchy. So since I could not get a power drum master, I opted for the power disc.

I figured to keep the parts counter discussion to a minimum.

JohnZ, I have not noticed any problems with my disc front master not have a Residual Pressure Valve. I would think the a manual system needed it, but with the booster to help bring line pressure up quickly, it would not be really needed. The front brakes still work really well with this master.

Originally posted by rogerh:
what and where is the RPV?

Roger Drum brake systems use RPV's (Residual Pressure Valves) in the outlet ports of the master cylinder; they maintain about 10 psi line pressure in the brake system so the shoes don't have to travel all the way from the inboard stops out to the drum every time you step on the pedal - also reduces initial pedal travel. Disc brake systems don't use them, as caliper pistons don't have to travel anywhere near as far for the pads to contact the rotor.

With a disc/drum master cylinder on a drum/drum car, on light application, you'll always get rear brakes before you get front brakes, as the front shoes will have to travel further (more fluid displacement) than the rear shoes before contact is made with the drums. This is troublesome on light application on snow or ice, as the rears will lock up before the fronts, and the car will tend to yaw or spin.

ALL OEM brake systems (except ABS) are designed so the fronts lock first under max-effort braking, so the rear tires will continue to roll and track the front of the car; if the rears lock first, they no longer track the front, and the car will spin.
graemlins/beers.gif

John, Thanks for the explanation. Since my car will not see snow/ice :D I am not too worried about it.