Re: [Chrysler300] more on modifications

[Bruce Paul <b_paul_ncp@xxxx>]

As someone stated earlier, in normal driving it would
really be unusual to have to worry about brake fade
with the original drum brakes. Stopping the first time
is of utmost importance, but brake fade should not be
a factor. Race track driving is another story. 

I feel that the original brakes on my G do a fine job.
I wouldn't expect a 2+ ton car to stop as quickly as a
1-1/2 ton car with discs and ABS. Have those of you
who don't like the "feel" of your original drum brakes
checked if the power brake booster, vacuum hoses, and
vacuum reserve tank are doing their jobs properly?

Bruce Paul-Cherry Hill, NJ


--- "baker.6pack" <Baker.6pack@xxxx> wrote:
> Hi John,
> 
> Forgive me, but I just got to ask. How well did
> that disc brake conversion
> on your sport 300 keep you from getting in a bad
> accident?
> Just teasing you.
> 
> K. Baker
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Hertog <crossram@xxxx>
> To: <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 5:49 PM
> Subject: [Chrysler300] more on modifications
> 
> 
> > Gang,
> >
> > OK, I can't help myself - gotta butt in ! I don't
> own a Porsche or a
> > Beemer, and nothing built after 1986 or so..
> > I did rent a new Volvo something or other
> recently, and of course I have
> > driven newer cars of all type, here and there .
> They just don't turn me on
> > like my 300F/G's do! But they sure do stop
> "better" . As in more evenly,
> > smoothly, straight, time and time again.
> >
> > My 300L was converted to discs as soon as I bought
> it. It is a pleasure to
> > drive, and to STOP. Again and again and again and
> again at nauseam. And
> even
> > with another 4000 lb. Chrysler sitting on the car
> trailer being towed
> behind
> > the 300L. My other 300's, at this time two
> 300G's, have the original
> > braking systems, and, well, they sure detract from
> the driving pleasure I
> > experience anytime I take one of those cars out.
> The brakes, and only the
> > brakes, make these cars feel old and outdated.
> >
> > It is quite possible to upgrade the handling and
> steering of a 300 in a
> > gentle, non-butchering kind of way. The formula is
> simple: install KYB
> > shocks front and back, and have Eaton Spring make
> you a set of new rear
> > springs, one step heavier duty than stock. Have
> the steering box rebuilt
> to
> > Firm-Feel spec, and install a new steering shaft
> insulator bushing,
> > available from Gary Goers. Make sure ALL of your
> front end components are
> in
> > good shape - especially bushings. Then, get some
> good tires ( I like
> > Goodyear Eagle GT+4's, P235/75R15, V rated to
> about 150 mph. ). If you
> like
> > to show your car, then just get a second set of
> rims and switch back and
> > forth between your "show, bias ply, correct
> WWWidth tires" and your
> > "driving, safe radial" tires. Have your car
> aligned to Mike Laiserin
> specs -
> > max caster while still being able to retain camber
> within spec. You'll now
> > have a 300 that goes round corners and over bumps
> and down the road
> > oh-so-nice !
> >
> > Likewise it is possible to "upgrade" the original
> 413 to run on today's
> > lousy gas - as was pointed out earlier on this
> listserver, lower the
> > compression ratio a bit, back off the timing a
> hair, and, PLEASE, leave
> > those 2903's and 3505's carbs alone ! They're just
> fine. If you crave
> > performance, a little cylinder head porting will
> bring you back to the
> > original HP rating. If you crave MORE
> performance, please don't butcher
> up
> > a 300 letter car. Get a 300 sport, Saratoga,
> etc... and install your
> fuelie
> > / superchargers/ turbochargers on those cars
> instead. Build a 300
> look-alike
> > like Dean Smith's '61 300R and have a lot of fun
> with it.
> >
> > So - all this leads us back to - brakes. Most of
> us will be content to
> leave
> > the original system alone. It's certainly useable.
> It's safe, too, as long
> > as ALL your brake lines have been replaced
> recently and all wheel
> cylinders
> > and brake hoses renewed. Anyone out there driving
> his or her 300 with ANY
> > original brake line ( now 35 to 45 years old) or
> brake hose - you've got a
> > death wish. Replace ALL your steel brake lines -
> including the
> front-to-back
> > one !
> >
> > Good point about the original drums, especially
> for 300's up to 1962. I
> > don't know where to get new ones except for
> junkyards. Quite a few 300's
> > that have come thru here in the past couple years
> have had little or no
> meat
> > left on the drums - they're just plain worn down
> to the cord and are past
> > the safe/usable stage. The only source of good
> brake drums that I know of
> > is salvage yards and / or parts cars. If anyone
> knows any different,
> > please - LET ME KNOW ! I need drums for 300F and
> 300G 's
> >
> > Both my 300G's have good drums, new shoes, new
> lines, new wheel cylinders,
> > hardware and return springs. Shoes have been
> contour-ground to the drums.
> > Much care has been taken in bleeding / adjusting/
> etc. Both cars feel,
> well,
> > inadequate and unsatisfactory in the braking
> departement.
> >
> > So - the one issue at hand is: to convert to
> discs, or not to convert...
> > it's a personal decision, and there's no right and
> wrong - you should do
> to
> > your car what you want to do to your car. Most
> people I know won't need
> disc
> > brake conversions. They don't drive their 300's
> far enough, fast enough,
> or
> > hard enough. Those that do use their cars on a
> regular basis, to travel
> > great distances, and at a high rate of speed
> whenever possible, might be
> > tempted to do so. If that is the case, then
> consider doing it in an
> > unobtrusive and gentle manner - using the original
> spindles and a bracket
> to
> > mount a caliper attached to said spindles. Such
> a modification is not
> > permanent and can be easily reversed, perhaps by
> the next owner of your
> 300.
> > Same story with single versus dual master cylinder
> setup.
> >
> > Dan Reitz has performed such mods to his 300F, and
> it's an impressive
> > difference over the stock setup. And, the car is
> NOT butchered or
> altered -
> > it could probably be returned to 100% stock
> configuration in a
> couple-three
> > hours. Way to go.
> >
> > Please - live and let live. Keeping your 300
> original is always a safer
> bet.
> > It will increase its resale value and you'll be
> able to say " it's all
> > original" to all that may ask. If you drive long
> and hard on today's
> > highways, in traffic, putting on a few thousand
> miles each year, it would
> > seem like common sense to upgrade to disc brakes -
> it might just save your
> > life, and certainly will help to preserve your
> 300, from getting into a
> bad
> > accident.
> >
> > If you must modify, please do so in a gentle,
> unobtrusive and reversible
> > manner. These are rare, very special collector
> cars and should be treated
> > with the respect they deserve.
> 
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