67 Camaro SS questions
 

Considering the above small block 4 speed. Largely original car. Car has stock non power drums. How well do these stop on a 67 Camaro? I have a 69 Charger RT with non power drums so have some experience but those pads are 3” wide but a heavy car. Any commentary?
The tranny is a M20 with a 3.73. pJ coded and dated to the car. Would prefer a 3.31 gear. I expect first will be a little of a granny gear? Any thoughts around this?
Thanks
Lawrence

Regarding your brake question I'll chime in with my opinion. I had a 68 RS Camaro in high school with a 6 cylinder and non-power drum brakes. I had to put my foot through the floor in order to stop it. I just finished a 67 SS I built for my daughter and there is no way I would have given it to her with non-power drum brakes. It got upgraded to power disc.

Stock drum brakes, regardless of drivetrain: Steer left, apply brake pedal, brakes pull right, stop straight.

I had a 327 2bbl '67 Camaro I bought from the original owner, with original paint and interior. Non power drums and power steering. I put a Muncie 4-speed in it and left the rest stock. I drove it for 5 years as my only car in the late '80s and early '90s. Wonderful car and maybe the best Camaro I have ever had and never once did I have a negative thought about the brakes.

I had non power, drum brakes on my '68 Camaro for 32 years. I don't know what was more exciting, ripping an 11 second quarter mile time or trying to slow the car down after ripping an 11 second quarter mile time!lol
About five years ago, I put Wilwood 4 wheel discs on the car, but kept it non power brakes.

My 67 RS/SS L78 is non power drum. If I need more stopping power with 456 gears I just down shift. I considered converting to power drum, but don't drive it very often.

I've had plenty of C1 and C2 Corvette's with non power drums. When properly serviced, they are predictable and safe. Similar weight to a 1st gen F body, with similar weight bias.

I have two drum brake cars and one is a 396 and don't have any problem stopping them. Most of us don't drag race these cars so we aren't not trying to stop from a 100+ pass.

I upgraded my C1 Vette manual drum brakes with a kit from Praise Dyno Brake a while back and was very happy with how it performed during spirited road rallies. I think they are called Muscle Car Brakes now.

I had non-power drums all around on my '68 Camaro and once you got them a little warm, they were fine. I planned ahead when I drove it as it had manual steering as well. If this is your car and you want that old time feel, drums will be fine. If you want your kids or spouse to drive it, invest in the power discs.