<VV> brake drums for my Corsa

[kenfran at comcast.net]

I have discovered that the drum is the same as on a lot of larger GM cars
(Chevelle, etc.) at 9 inch diameter and 2 1/2 inch width. I don't know how
well the '65 Corsa stops with stock brakes because I bought the car without
a master cylinder or a fuel pump, so it neither goes or stops yet. Planning
to convert to dual master cylinder (and electric fuel pump) since I gotta
get new ones anyway. I have never been satisfied with the braking on my '66
Monza, even after new or rebuilt wheel cylinders on all wheels, new brake
lines, new shoes, and turned drums. I have never checked stopping distances
on it though, but I can't lock up the brakes, and it just feels like it
should be more. I want to autocross the Corsa, so I wanted the best possible
brakes. The aluminum drums would be great, and I could always switch them to
the Monza if I did something radical (like disc brakes) with the Corsa. I
think there was an article from the Communique about mettalic linings and
the aluminum drums, but I need to access the archives to find it. What
linings do people generally regard as the best stopping power (not
neccessarily the longest lasting) for Corvairs?

> Subject: Re: <VV> BIGGER Brake drums for my '65 Corsa
> 1   If you cannot lock the brakes "at will" on a 65-9 Corvair [ Chevelle
> units]  something is wrong!
> 2   Kelvar shoes will more than suffice!
> Matt Nall / Patiomatt / WCUH / Chairman V V

> From: "Jim Bannister" <jimster1@earthlink.net>
> Subject: RE: <VV> Brake drums for my '65 Corsa
> Ken,
> Instead of going to all the trouble of converting back plates, drums etc.,
> have you checked out the Finned aluminum drums that came on many mid 80's
> car from the General?  If you fish around the www.corvair.org/ web site
you
> should find a list of cars that carried the beloved Aluminum drums.  The
> fronts are fairly plentiful as they were offered on many cars.  The rears
> are more problematic as they were offered on only a couple of cars. They
> look gorgeous through open wheels.
> Jim B
>
Original message:
> I am planning to use 16 inch wheels on my 1965 Corsa and am wondering if I
> could substitute drums, etc. from 14, 15, or 16 inch wheeled cars with the
> same bolt pattern. Are any suspension parts going to interfere? The larger
> drums should give me better stopping power, and I think this would be
> sufficient without converting to disc brakes.I know there are plenty of
> 14-inch choices, from Camaros, etc.and I figure these would be less likely
> to interfere with other parts.  Anyone have any experience converting drum
> sizes on a late?
> Also, I found through the Corvair Technical Index
> (http://www.mkellstrand.com/corvairs/resources/techindex/techindex.html)
> that there are articles about drum choices on the Communique:
>  The Best Brake Drums for Late Model Corvairs, CC V5N5 (January 83), 13
>  Install Larger Front Drum Brakes (late model), CC V5N5 (January 83), 13
> If anyone could get me copies of those articles I would be grateful.
>
> Ken Franson