Can anyone tell me if it is possible to swap the rear drums on my '03 sxt for rear discs and if so how hard should it be??
Thanks

 

its possible. You just have to dissassemble the disc system and run break lines to the rear. I have heard, however, that rear discs didnt perform as well as the rear drums did on project cars. Up to you though.

 

Rear discs do perfrom better, but marginally so in the rear. Roughly 80% of the braking is done by the front discs, so "upgrading" the rears to discs will reduce your 60-0 braking by maybe 5 feet. The rear discs are also close to 15 pounds heavier. I will say that maintenance on discs is tons easier though. If I wasn't 4-lug, I'd have done the swap years ago for that reason alone.

All you have to do is get the rear spindles, caliper assemblies, and parking brake cable from a 2nd gen R/T or ACR. You don't need to change out the proportioning valve or the master cylinder. You'll want to get an alignment when done, as you've disassembled pretty much eveything that affects it...

Best of luck!

 

It is rather expensive to buy the conversion kit. Figures I have seeen are over $1000 for a kit (all new parts). However, contrary to what radarlove has stated, I was also informed that you must change the master cylinder / valves to accomodate 4 brake lines????? honestly dont know anything about that other than what i have been told on other forums. Honestly I backed out of converting to rear disc on my sxt becuase, as stated above, the majority of braking is done with the front. The only benefit would be the coule extra feet you save on your stopping distance and maintanence will be much easier imo.

 

I was only thinking of this for the look of the car but if it is going to be that big of a hassle forget it. Painted drums will look sharp too.

Oh and by the way anybody in the Madison, WI area should stop by Quaker Steak & Lube on sundays from noon to 7pm for our car shows. We accept anyone with a classic, modified or just a really nice car. Or atleast you should stop out and take a look and what other people bring in.