My brake drums are shot and not turnable. I want to replace the front shoe brakes with disc brakes. I have found a disc brake installation kit with Hot Rods and Brakes but it is unclear what additional parts I would need to complete the conversion. Hot Rods and Brakes offers 2 kits for 51 Studebakers, SB1 and SB2. Does anyone have suggestions about a better approach? What do I need as far as wheel rims to apply the disc brakes? How do I connect to the master cylinder and are there additional parts for that? Thanks for any input!!
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I have had very good luck with the Turner Kit on the Avanti. They have a kit for your Champion if I am not mistaken. Jim is very service oriented and is a pleasure to deal with.
Neil
Proud owner of 63R1406 (63 Avanti) and G311048 (47 Champion Convertible - It will look like a car someday!) -
See the "search" button..!
I just bought the Hotrods and Brakes kit for my 54 wagon.
It fits fine and no other parts are required.
I've had the LeVesque (spell?) kit. Not sure it's still available.
I've had the Turner kit.
I've had the Hotrods and Brakes kit.
The Levesque and the HR&B kit's are very simillar.
The HR&B kit is "much" nicer done thAn the LeVesque.
The HR&B caliper bracket is simple and clean, an easy bolt on.
They all use the larger G.M. or the metric caliper (depending on the rotor diameter you choose, they all use Ford rotors.
While both the HR&B and Turner kits will get the job done in fine fashion, to "me", the HR&B kit is the nicer way to go. Why, it doesn't weigh a ton. The Turner bracketry will withstand stopping a MAC truck. It doesn't "need" to be nearly so heavy. Another bad thing about the Turner kit, it has two extra fasteners per bracket to come loose. Don't know of any that have...but the possibility is there.
On the extra weight thing, it's just more work for the shocks, anti-sway bar and springs to control (suspension in general). It's that "unsprung weight" thing that make the car work harder to control the front suspension with the extra weight.
If you drive your Stude a lot or on longer distance trek's, Id get the HR&B kit.
If you drive shorter distances or less miles...it's coin toss which to buy.
Again, just my opinion from owning all three kits.
Mike
P.s. - All nuts, bolts, hoses, etc. come in the kits (both). Also, the parts in both kits are easilly available when/if required for replacment down the road as required. Just keep the instructions.Last edited by Mike Van Veghten; 01-10-2013, 11:57 AM.Comment
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Hi Dave,
I used that kit on my daughter's 50 Champion. I just bought the brackets and spindle adapters and sourced the rest of the parts locally. The parts are nicely made. Since the 50 front end parts are different from the 51 I had to modify the brackets to make them fit, but am very happy with the outcome.
As this car is destined to be a daily driver for my young daughter, I replaced the master cylinder with a Wilwood dual unit with remote reservoirs and split the system. Since the car won't be legal to drive on the road until next week, I've only driven it a little bit, but the brakes feel really nice so far.
For wheels, this car has 14" Ford wheels and there are no clearance issues.
Good luck with your project!
Mike1950 Champion Sedan - Kid CarComment
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Hi Neil - I have read on the Turner Brake website that their kits apply only to cars from 1953 on . I would like to contact Jim and ask him questions. Can you give me an e-mail address or phone nbr? My e-mail is
davemanus@yahoo.com Many thanksComment
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Turners products work on 1951 & upComment
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