Tips to Improve Braking in Your Classic

Car
There has been a radical change in the way cars are made, so driving a classic
care might feel like a totally different ballgame. Learn what upgrades you can
make to your classic car to enhance your driving experience.

One of the most common areas to address when you’re upgrading your classic car is the brakes. The
standard brakes on most classic cars do not live up to modern expectations and tend to disappoint. But,
thanks to a strong aftermarket, you’ll be able to find car brakes for just about any car model without
putting in great deal of effort.

The Brake Theory

Most classic cars originally came equipped with drum brakes and even the best drum brakes of
yesteryear lacked in the performance department. To make sure you select the perfect brake system for
your piece of history, a good understanding of the brake theory is important.

If you’re looking for a disc conversion to improve braking in your classic car, and there isn’t a disc
conversion available for your car model, there are plenty of other options available for you to choose
from. Take a hard look at your existing system in order to determine the best option for your vintage
car.
Most brake kits feature larger diameter drums/disks, larger wheel cylinders and larger calipers. In
addition to improving braking, most brake upgrades also help reduce fade.

Some Other Considerations

Most classic cars models that were built before 1968 came equipped with circuit brakes, meaning a leak
in any part of the system could lead to a complete failure of the system. Therefore, a good brake
upgrade for these car models would be a kit that includes a dual circuit master cylinder that could keep
the system working in case of a leak.

 Brake Pads and Materials

It is a common misconception that larger pads improve the braking efficiency of cars. However, the thing
to know is that, in order to improve your car’s stopping power these need more clamping force that is
offered by larger pistons in the calipers.

Nevertheless, due to their ability to absorb heat and their size, these may offer more fade resistance.
Commonly pad materials are designed to function within a certain range of temperature. For example,
race pads are designed to work when the temperature hits 500 degrees or above, whereas street pads
work well at temperature 300 degrees (Fahrenheit) and below.

 Brake Booster
A brake booster does not increase the stopping power of your car, but it can significantly improve pedal
effort and is often the best upgrade option for car models weighing more than 2500 pounds.

 Disc Brakes
While disc brakes are the most popular braking upgrades today, if you do not want to keep drum brakes,
that’s absolutely fine, provided the size is right. To make sure you’re getting the right parts of your car, it
is a wise option to find a dealer that offer a one stop solution for your classic car.

Follow the tips discussed in the blog and you’ll never go wrong!

Happy upgrading!