Loving life! 2 years since my 67 Imperial GM full-size Disc Brake upgrade!

[regr]

Good morning C body people. Well its been 2 years to the day since I fixed the brakes on my beautiful 1967 Imperial Crown 4dr Hardtop. After many expensive attempts to get the BUDDS calipers to not leak by buying SS modified ones for big money and Yada yada yada I threw in the towel on the Budds and built a slick simple conversion using full size GM , Cadillac, Ambulance, Police, commercial large single piston calipers available in any auto store around the country. Conveient that the full size GM's use also the 5" x 5" bolt spacing. I never posted about this upgrade I did to my Imperial back then as I thought I would do it later after I knew how it was working. Well the car stops amazing the last 2 years, no leaks no vibrations, when you put your foot on the brakes at highway speed the nose of the car comes right down and stops this be heave beautiful car like a dream. Anwyay a few pics for you below and if any of you have questions post here or PM me. All the best guys and galls. Reg Riemer.

 

[regr]

Photos contiuned

 

[regr]

Photos Continued 2

 

[Mr C]

Does the Mopar Imperial rim clear? Or are you using GM rims...very interested in the shim and caliper bracket specs so that I can duplicate for my 68.

 

[67ImpCrown]

Excellent work! Double points for a creative solution to the Budd brake issue. For now, I'll go the OE route since I've spent way too many dollars on acquiring parts, but it's nice to have a backup plan should (or maybe when?) things go wrong. Thank you

 

[regr]

Yes factory Imperial wheels and all fits stock !

 

[regr]

Does the Mopar Imperial rim clear? Or are you using GM rims...very interested in the shim and caliper bracket specs so that I can duplicate for my 68.

Yes all original wheels and tires

 

[regr]

Excellent work! Double points for a creative solution to the Budd brake issue. For now, I'll go the OE route since I've spent way too many dollars on acquiring parts, but it's nice to have a backup plan should (or maybe when?) things go wrong. Thank you

Yes, I hear ya. I spent a fortune on Bud's calipers and everything. I could never get it to work properly. Real frustrating waste of time and money. My new set up works very nice OEM look as well, and the car stops like a dream now. If you want to get a kit from me later, I'll do that for you.

 

[crv]

How much difference in price are we talking about here?, does this type of conversion work on later Imperials?

 

[regr]

Does the Mopar Imperial rim clear? Or are you using GM rims...very interested in the shim and caliper bracket specs so that I can duplicate for my 68.

you can pm me anytime.

 

[regr]

How much difference in price are we talking about here?, does this type of conversion work on later Imperials?

This upgrade will work on 1967 to 1973 Imperials only.

 

[live4theking]

This is interesting. How did you determine this would work or did you see it somewhere else?

Did you change the spindle too?

 

[3175375]

Great job! Do you have a complete parts list of what you used?

 

[fury fan]

Not to steal @regr 's thunder, but some thing's I've learned:

Those are the GM D52 calipers (D52 is the industry # for the brake pad).
D52's are in use in lots of aftermarket brake kits, there are even new/aftermarket castings available (Jegs, Summit, etc).
Wilwood even makes a drop-in 2-piston version (but they are pricey).
The reman market is full of them, too.
There are some vendors that sell special-compound pads for them, too.

D52s were in use from around 1969 thru 2002.
One must watch the application, these calipers are made for 1.03" and 1.28" rotors.
You really must verify all the details on the donor vehicle to ensure getting the right caliper part#s for the rotor you have.

The piston dia on the GM units is 3.1", C-body is single-piston is 2.75".
So they should give better braking (although there are other variables involved with that which must be reviewed).

The design of the caliper allows it to mount to a simple flat adapter plate. No 3D geometry required there.

 

[regr]

Hello guys , I have the 1.28’” rotors and matched callipers off the shelf at local O'Reilly auto parts store in Bullhead City , Az. Car uses stock Imperial spindle with custom bearings and spacers, d52 rotors 5x5 “ bolt pattern , stock wheels etc.
I had these D52’s on fleet vehicles I worked on for years and just thought that it would be a great upgrade to the 67-73 imperial which so badly needed better brakes . I love my 67 but not having brakes made it scary to drive.
I have not been on the internet as I have closed my home in Arizona and am now arriving at my lake cabin in northern Saskatchewan Canada. Pm if you have questions but I’m only randomly in cell and internet service all summer, back to Arizona in October 2024.
Reg