63 Racing Brake Conversion

[andy pilsworth]

Hello.
I am build a 63 for rally racing and would like to change the brakes to a safer 4 wheel disc brake system. Do you recommend something??

[Clem Z.]

Re: 63 Racing Brake Conversion

contact carl bush at wilwood engineering, 706-864-0312. carl should be able to fix you up with what you need. tell him i said HI!

[Mike Cobine]

Re: 63 Racing Brake Conversion

You could simply bolt on a Corvette '65-82 disc brake suspension. However, '63 does not have the frame indented at the rear over the trailing arms and you may have an interference problem with the calipers hitting the frame. A lot depends on how low you allow the frame/body to sit when driving and how much camber you have in the rear.

The suspension stop for the rear trailing arms was moved inward on the disc brake cars. As such, you will need to cut the one on the '63 frame off and move it inward to work with '65 up trailing arms and calipers.

If the car is one that you don't was to cut up the frame on, you could consider a later frame with the disc brake suspension, and then mount your body on a newer chassis. Also a lot of work, but complete undo-able in the future should you decide to.

Odds are you may have a problem like this with the Wilwoods as they are usually intended to bolt to the existing or a replacement caliper bracket. Wilwoods are often wider that the Chevrolet caliper to improve rigidity. Be sure to specifically ask about rear frame clearance for a '63 and point out the frame is straight and not indented for factory calipers.