Viper brakes on manual system

[Lazarus]

Anyone here ever used the front viper brake upgrade with manual system and rear drums? Is that a good system by itself or would there be a drastic difference in pedal pressure and/ or braking distance when compared power front disks. It has been my experience that there is a quite noticeable difference between manual drums all around and power front discs but not a drastic difference between 4 wheel discs and front disk/ rear drum setup.
I guess my question is, would the front viper upgrade and rear drums on a manual setup perform about the same as the factory power front disk/ rear drum setup. I've had that and it seemed more than adequate. Thanks, Chris

 

[Budnicks]

since 70% of the cars braking is on the front brakes, it would be better than the manual full drums on all 4 for sure, noting wrong with drum rears, especially if they're 11" drums... I have never used the Viper conversion myself... I have done a few others thou, like SSBC slotted & drilled 11" rotors, w/Force 10 system up front, it was night & day differences over the stock 11"x3" drums, much better braking than the original style Kelsey Hayes disc.'s {65-72} off a 68-69 Satellite, although they were much cheaper... I've done a few Wilwood & Baer Brake set ups too, over the years, for a while they were the only thing out there in the aftermarket... I like the SSBC the best & was the easiest best cost vs value too, truly a bolt on complete kit, of most of the aftermarket installs, I've used & I was able to still use the original "drum brake spindles" too... The manual brakes, took a little more peddle/foot pressure, but not enough to warrant going to a power brake diaphragm or a electric or hydraulic. assist type pump... IMHFO it keeps the engine bay less cluttered looking & you don't have to worry about vacuum robbing big camshafts or valve cover or header clearances etc., on custom apps... good luck, maybe post up some photos of the Viper Disc system, your contemplating, if you end up going that route, I'd like to see & hear how they worked out for ya... nothing better than real world experience, instead of advertised BS or internet BS...

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I am going to use the same SSBC system on my current 68 RR too...

 

[Lazarus]

Thanks for the insight Bud! I think I will give them a shot manual first. If I think I need more after their on I suppose I can always grab the rest later.

 

[bigblock]

You wont need a booster,they work great without it. BTW go with the 98 Grand Cherokee rear discs while you're at it. Well worth the effort.

 

[Lazarus]

Do the Grand Cherokee dishes bolt right up in place of the drums? I can probably source that pretty cheap here locally.