Muscle Car Brake Upgrades : How to Design, Select, and Install

Details how to select, install, and calibrate high-performance aftermarket brake systems specifically for your classic muscle car.

Other brake system books cover all cars and all applications, but this book is dedicated to muscle cars only! With this volume, you can follow detailed, thorough, step-by-step procedures to install systems on a variety of popular muscle cars from Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors. As a result, you will have a car with brakes on par with the handling and horsepower of modified cars today.

Many 1960s and 1970s muscle cars still carry the outdated and rudimentary OEM drum or underpowered stock disc/drum brake systems. These hinder handling agility and stopping performance, and they are a subpar safety system. Muscle cars are meant to be driven aggressively, and the brake system needs to match the performance of the drivetrain.

The fundamentals of system design, operation, and component function are clearly explained so you understand all principles, equipment, and available kits. With this knowledge, you can select the best brake system for your car and application. However, selecting the right equipment is just the first step.

This book delivers detailed step-by-step instructions and photos so you can confidently install an aftermarket high-performance brake system, such as a kit from Wilwood, Baer, CCP, and others on a variety of muscle cars. Covered are aftermarket brake conversions for factory size 14- to 15-inch wheels as well as installs for 16- to 20-inch wheels.

You are shown how to select individual components and install master cylinders, steel-braided brake lines, calipers, rotors, and proportioning valves. Whether you’re driving a high-performance street, Pro Touring, autocross, drag racing, or road racing car, these brake system installs dramatically increase performance and safety.

About the Author

As a senior technical editor at Chevy Hardcore online, Bobby Kimbrough is an authority on Chevy and other muscle cars. Kimbrough proudly served as a helicopter mechanic in the Marine Corps, race car mechanic and builder, and currently serves as editor-in-chief of Street Rod Authority. His strong technical background gives him insight into the comprehensive nuts-and-bolts of the subject.