I'm still going to disagree. When comparing apples to oranges, disc is superior but apples to apples, a stock drum is better than a disc brake conversion.
I'm not suggesting anyone convert them...
Significantly more surface area of friction material. Disc typically needs 2-3x more friction material changes than a drum.
Yep, that and the nearly instant full-engagement thing is the reason they're probably so prone to locking up.
Drum brakes don't drag like discs so better mpg.
extremely negligible when maintained properly, probably won't notice a difference in MPGs (unless we're talking a coast to coast roadtrip you might save 2 bucks) but what you WILL notice is the lack of take-up, disc brakes engage as soon as you hit the pedal there is no dead zone.
Parking brakes work better. The manufactures have long struggled making an effective parking brake until the advent of electric parking brake pull
People use parking brakes? Huh, weird idk if any of mine even work, never tried 'em (kinda kidding, but seriously that is at the bottom of the list of importance, what a stretch). But yeah you're right they're better in that regard, that's why most rear disc brake vehicles use little brake shoes on the inside surface of the rotor that fits over the hub, works exactly like a drum brake when you apply the parking brake (because it is a drum brake), but then when you're out on the road it works like a disc brake, because it's better.
have you ever warped a rotor, cracked a rotor or had a pad fall apart from heat? You probably have. Have you ever had a drum crack or warp? No, They take the heat and fade but keep on going.
Brake fade is basically the worst thing that can happen on a track OR highway. I'll take a severely warped rotor that needs to be turned or replaced any day, even when all wobbly it stops like a SOB, under NO circumatances is it okay for brakes to fade.
It's ok to disagree with me but I rarely see an advantage to conversions, and I've done probably 25+. Yes. I do have 4 wheel disc on my '63 Nova but it was $7500k for the conversion, parts only. 15" Baer Rotors, 6 piston calipers, FF conversion. On my C10, I stayed with oversize drums. On my C30, I'll definitely stay with drums, on my K5 w/ a 14bolt FF I switched to discs as they were lighter than the big drum and I didn't need the stopping power of a 1T drum.
Once again, I never suggested anyone convert them. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I was merely stating that drum brakes are basically inferior to discs in any scenario besides cost savings and since you mentioned it, parking brakes (wooooo...)
I've never spent $7500 on brakes. I've only ever spent that much or more on an entire vehicle once in my life (the wife's grocery getter and kid hauler, better be new and safe and fancy), and I have only ever spent more than that on an engine build once, and I have
maybe $800-1000 into the brakes on that vehicle max, stops great with its nearly stock 4 wheel disc setup (just upgraded parts, all stock calipers and rotor size, etc) even at 150+mph. If I warp a rotor, I go home and throw another one on for like 100 bucks...
To each their own, I really don't want a fight here. But man, you will not convince me ever. As I said before, if it's rear drum stock, go ahead and leave it alone, maybe use upgraded components. But there is nothing on God's green earth that will make me think drum brakes have better road manners than discs, they just don't...
