Hi,
I'm upgrading from '73 style front disc's to 11.75 rotors and wondering whether it's worth the effort to also swap out the calipers for the slightly bigger piston/calipers that would have come with the big rotors? Not sure if the difference be noticeable on a street-driven a-body, or maybe I'd be better off just swapping in Firm Feel semi-metallic pads on the existing calipers? I'm not doing auto-cross with this car but I drive it year-round and want to stop as fast as the Acura in front of me in traffic. Appreciate any advice, thanks!
Bill
'69 cuda
Hillsboro, OR

Bill,

The 11.75" rotors alone will move the brake bias forward. If you still need more front brake bias then go with the larger piston calipers. The Firm Feel pads are alright, but for pure street use Raybestos PG Plus is probably going to do just as well and last longer. For severe service the Rabestos Super Stop pads are better than the Firm Feel pads. My race car proved it! And don't forget that the tires actually stop the car!

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Joshua

Great advice, think I'll try keeping the same caliper with new pads and see how that goes. Thanks Josh!

Hey guys, the smaller (10.87) 73 up brake calipers (sliders) bolt on to the larger (11.75) caliper adapters, correct? ie: 2.60" piston diameter slider caliper bolts on to either adapter as the 2.75" piston caliper

I am considering Wilwoods for lighter weight but the simplicity of the Mopar stock calipers and parts availability might be of validity here.

Great points on the pads Josh, thanks for that info.

Yes, the passenger car sliding calipers interchange. There are bigger sliders on trucks and vans, C-bodies, etc.

I have Wilwood calipers and 11.75" rotors on my Valiant, but only because I got a good deal on a complete, but used setup. Also, the car spends most of it's days in a dry garage.

Trying to race with sliding calipers was, uh, interesting. Raybestos Super Stop was the King of off the shelf pads.

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Joshua

Ok cool. I'm trying to stick with some lower budget stuff here.

When you say the sliders were 'interesting', were they just sticking?

No, the sliding calipers themselves never posed a problem. It was getting good pads that was the problem.

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Joshua

Got it... Rock Auto lists these:

RAYBESTOS Part # PGD84M - {Professional Grade #SSD84} $35
Front; Semi-Metallic; Originally Equipped With Organic; Integrally Molded

My guess is that the 'ss' signifies the super stop version.

PGD84M will do for probably 95%+ off all slant six drivers.
The Super Stop SSD84 doesn't stop as well when dead cold, but is more fade and wear resistant.

Looking at the Rock Auto listing I'm thinking that maybe the SSD84 Super Stop pads have been discontinued.

Yep, found this in the Raybestos catalog: "Super Stop;Except Police Car Or Taxi;Semi-Metallic;Originally Equipped With Organic;To Be Replaced By PGD84M"

That's a bummer. Glad I have a set on the shelf.

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Joshua

I'll try a set of the 'professional grade' PGAD84M's and see what they are like. I'm sure they will be fine for street app. as you stated.... and will accomplish what Bill mentioned in his first post regarding being able to stop as well as the Acura in front.