Hello, Been doing some research and planning to get my Buick back to a rolling chassis and wanted to run my plan of attack by anybody willing to read in the event I missed something or assumed something wrong. Vehicle: 69 Skylark Convertible Future Intended Engine: 455 Application: Street, Strip, Cruise Current State: See Attached Pic at bottom Situation: Might be moving soon, need it back to rolling chassis by Summer 2022 For the sake of this read let’s just assume I threw away all stock suspension and power drum brake components. Brakes Going to convert to Disc, in the front at least and would like to keep it OEM. If I’m looking to order everything I need as a “kit” which would include; booster, MC, PropValve, Spindle, Rotors, Calipers, Lines, hardware) then I have multiple suppliers to pick from who charge around $600 - $900. Inline Tube – DBK6807 - $670 CPP - Part# M1790DX - $600 CPP - Part# CH21234 - $672 The Right Stuff - AFXDC06C - $660 The Right Stuff - AFXDC06CS - $774 MP Brakes – DB1741P - $900 If I went with anybody other then MP Brakes I should assume many components will be made in China and I should inspect every component for quality issues. You get what you pay for applies to all these kits. 15” ralley wheels (not procured yet) will be used on the car. Shouldn’t be a problem with any of the above brake kits UNLESS I plan to switch over to big brake kits further down the road. If I choose to lower the vehicle from stock height I plan to do this via springs, not a drop spindle. Question: Is there any space claim benefit in using a 9” booster knowing that a 455 will be there? Vehicle originally had a 350 with an 11” booster and would like to keep an 11” booster there if I can as I believe all my brake pedal linkages/ratios don’t have to be messed with. Suspension Unless an old college buddy of mine who works at QA1 can get me 50% off one of their kits I am leaning towards UMI’s Power Tour Package PN abf803-2 (~$2,800). If I chose UMI’s kit referenced above I don’t believe I should have any issues with the spindle/brake gear from the kits referenced above. Also shouldn’t have any major issues with stock OEM steering components. If I wanted to save some coin I could opt to go the OEM route incorporating some good springs/shocks. Being that I have to source everything (sway bar, upper lower control arms…ect) I might have to piece all of these components together from multiple venues. Sourcing/Lead Times I live in MN and we’re getting close to entering the deep freeze. My garage is not suitable for winter work so I have until spring to procure all required parts. With supply chain being supply chain these days that’s probably in my favor as I know some of the brake kit suppliers have long lead times.
Hey Paul, Really like the UMI stuff as well, You might check out the front Corner Max kit Part# 406502-B , I went with that because I wanted Coil-overs up front & drop-spindles, In the rear I went with the 4051-R 2" drop springs & the 401417-B Adjustable rear control arms. On that Corner Max front kit UMI offers 650 or 850 lb/in springs, I went with the 650 lb/in . You will like the UMI stuff no matter what you get but wait until the Black Friday sales & you can get a better deal from UMI or Summit.... Good Luck....
Appreciate the feedback and recommendation! Good call on waiting until Black Friday for some potential deals, every dollar saved is another dollar for more buick parts : )
Will be doing a semi- Resto my 68 including converting to power front disc from non power drum . I see CPP being the bargain MP brakes being on the high end . Would CPP be more along the lines of OEM ? I have stock 15” wheels and car being a cruiser? Are these kits including all components ?
On my 69 skylark custom, I went with all QA1 up front, non-adjustable ball. Replaced all ball joints with Moog, OEM front disc with wilwood dual piston calipers. Coil overs, sway bar, street upper:lower control arms. I went with ridetech in the rear because their coil overs came with brackets. I love the ride and handling. I’m sure others are just as good but this is the route I took. I didn’t get a kit I just purchased parts when I saved the money so I wouldn’t feel it as bad.
Rich, I've been under the impression that all the disc conversion kits are as OEM as possible. That is if you're in a pinch and need a part you'll have a fighting chance of procuring it from a standard auto parts store. All the kits doing a pretty good job outlining everything included, and from what I can tell include everything one would need. Guess I'll have some feedback on how true that to be come spring of 2022.
