Brake upgrade

[LilJohn72]

Hey everyone, I'm not positive that this is the best place to post this or not but I've got a brake predicament. I've got a 72 lwb C10 with front disc brakes, as you would expect, and I use the truck at the drag strip pretty frequently, it is just for fun though it isn't very fast at all, it is my weekend driver, but I've run into the problem of my brakes not holding at the line. When I go to power brake it at the line they seem to slip. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I could do to fix this? Upgrade to an after market kit, replace shoes or rotors? Anything at all? That's for any advice you have!

[LilJohn72]

Sorry I guess it would be brake pads not shoes.

[BR3W CITY]

Changing over to Wilwood D52s was nice for me. I'm on rear drum still and its just starting to become the weak link.

I also run hydroboost, which isn't needed, but is enjoyable.

[LilJohn72]

Is switching to the D52s good enough without switching out rotors?

[ranger danger]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Changing over to Wilwood D52s was nice for me. I'm on rear drum still and its just starting to become the weak link.

I also run hydroboost, which isn't needed, but is enjoyable.

I'm in the process of converting to disc front on my 69' C20 Suburban. Im using all the parts from a 72'. I have not purchased the calipers yet. I was planning on getting a set of OE remans from Napa for about $40 each. The Wilwoods are about $400 retail. Are they really worth the difference in price?

[Valarius_Starchaser]

The dual piston setup of the wilwood D52s offers better pad contact area with such a large pad and a single piston the pad will "banana" or flex under hard braking and can prematurely bow out and cut your braking power in half very quickly.

In short the dual piston will reduce premature wear and stop faster/harder and should hold you at the line

Only other thing that's better is a line lock

[ranger danger]

Originally Posted by Valarius_Starchaser

The dual piston setup of the wilwood D52s offers better pad contact area with such a large pad and a single piston the pad will "banana" or flex under hard braking and can prematurely bow out and cut your braking power in half very quickly.

In short the dual piston will reduce premature wear and stop faster/harder and should hold you at the line

Only other thing that's better is a line lock

This is not a race truck but I do haul a RV trailer in the mountains on a fairly regular basis. I'm switching to disc because I get overheated drums and bad brake fade

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Valarius_Starchaser

Only other thing that's better is a line lock

Line locks don't have a "release" force,so actually trying to leave off one will drag your brakes the first 20-30ft or so. Guys have tried using them as an alternative to the trans brake but it really isn't ideal. You can use it as an anti-lag for boosted cars much the same way, but it'll drag the pads no matter what.

[Custom 68]

Welcome to the site. I too am from the Springfield area. We will need to meet up at the track sometime. It is a fun time.
I did swap to the Wilwood D52 swap on mine and the hydroboost. They look great and I am pleased with them. Currently I have a manual in my truck so not much power braking at the line for me. I will be swapping back to an automatic and then it might pose more of a problem. I used the disks I already was running as they were fairly new. I am using a Hawk pad. I don't remember which set.
good luck
Dave

[Mike C]

Before you dump a ton of coin, look into some more aggressive brake pads that don't require a lot of heat to work.

It sounds like you don't have enough pressure on the front or at least enough grip. The factory brake setup is pretty powerful with all the right parts. Flush the system for some good high performance fluid and buy some good brake pads.

The rears do more work when towing, but they still are not responsible for the lions share which happens in the front.

[LilJohn72]

I definitely like the wilwood idea simply based off of looks, even though my wheels wouldn't show them off. But before I do go and dump that kind of money into it I do think I'll try out what Mike C said and throw on some new pads and flush the brake system to see what that gets me. And thanks for the welcome Dave, it's good to see other people on here from the Springfield area. Your 68 sounds awesome and I am all for meeting up at the track sometime although, it wouldn't be anywhere close to an even race.

[Custom 68]

We just go put and have fun. There seems to always be somebody faster... I have a friend with a 68 Camaro and we go hit it on occasion. Its almost car show season so there will be more spots to stop and look. I will keep my eye out for yours and you do the same.