Brake Systems — Disc Brake Conversion Kits, Power Boosters & Brake Parts for Classic Cars & Hot Rods
Stop with confidence. At Regal Boats Marine BV, we stock a comprehensive range of brake systems for classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, and custom builds. From complete disc brake conversion kits that transform dangerous drum brakes into modern stopping power, to power brake boosters, dual master cylinders, proportioning valves, stainless steel brake lines, and high-performance calipers — every component we carry is engineered to bring your vintage ride safely into the modern era. Fast EU shipping from our Netherlands warehouse.
Why Upgrade Your Classic Car Brake System?
Factory drum brakes were adequate for the speeds and traffic conditions of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. But today’s highways, modern traffic densities, and significantly more powerful engines demand far more stopping capability than vintage drum systems can deliver. A quality disc brake conversion kit provides shorter stopping distances, better fade resistance, improved wet-weather performance, and dramatically reduced maintenance compared to aging drum hardware.
Whether you are building a Pro Touring muscle car, a traditional hot rod, or a restomodded classic truck, upgrading your brake system is quite literally a lifesaving investment. Modern disc brakes dissipate heat faster, self-adjust, and provide consistent pedal feel — even during repeated hard stops.
Disc Brake Conversion Kits — The Foundation of Modern Braking
A disc brake conversion kit is the most popular and impactful upgrade for classic car owners. These kits replace factory drum brake assemblies with modern disc rotors, calipers, pads, brackets, bearings, and hardware — often using original spindles for a true bolt-on installation. cite🛠web_search:37#3:~:text=Bolt On Disc Kits are designed to use your original spindles and require no major suspension modifications
Bolt-On Disc Brake Conversion Kits — Designed to use your original spindles with no major suspension modifications. Each kit includes rotors, calipers, pads, brackets, bearings, seals, hoses, and all necessary hardware for a straightforward installation that maintains original ride height and geometry.
Spindle Upgrade Disc Brake Kits — Include everything found in a standard front disc kit plus brand new spindles supplied when factory drum spindles are not compatible with disc brakes. These kits also let you select your stance, with stock height or drop spindles that lower cars 2 inches without affecting suspension travel.
Complete Front Disc Brake Kits — Combine a front disc brake conversion with power assist components including a power brake booster, master cylinder, proportioning valve, and pre-bent brake lines. These matched packages deliver improved pedal feel, increased stopping power, and a clean factory-style installation.
Front & Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kits — The most comprehensive upgrade available. These packages include all components from the complete front kit plus a rear disc brake conversion matched to your vehicle. This creates a fully modernized braking system with improved balance, shorter stopping distances, and consistent performance from all four corners.
Rear Drum-to-Disc Conversion Kits — Specifically engineered to replace rear drum brakes with modern disc systems. Kits include solid or drilled/slotted rotors, new calipers with pads, heavy-duty mounting brackets, brake hoses, hardware, and parking brake cables. Available for Chevy 10- and 12-bolt, Mopar 8.75-inch, Dana 60, and Ford 8- and 9-inch rear axles. cite🛠web_search:36#0:~:text=Summit includes solid or drilled/slotted rotors with a pair of new GM-single piston calipers including the pads. Heavy duty mounting brackets are included along with brake hoses, hardware, and parking brake cables
Master Cylinders, Power Boosters & Hydraulic Assist
The master cylinder is the heart of every brake system. It converts mechanical pedal effort into hydraulic pressure that activates your calipers or wheel cylinders. Upgrading to a modern dual-reservoir master cylinder separates front and rear brake circuits for safety — if one circuit fails, the other remains operational. cite🛠web_search:36#0:~:text=The master cylinder is the heart of your brake system. It serves as a reservoir to hold the brake fluid and it converts the mechanical effort from the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure to activate the brake calipers or drums
Dual-Reservoir Master Cylinders — Available in common bore sizes including 7/8-inch, 15/16-inch, and 1-inch diameters. A larger bore creates more fluid displacement but requires more pedal force, while a smaller bore produces more line pressure. Selecting the correct bore size depends on your caliper piston area, vehicle weight, and pedal ratio.
Vacuum Power Brake Boosters — The most common form of brake assist for classic cars. Single-diaphragm boosters work well with drum or disc/drum systems, while dual-diaphragm designs are recommended for four-wheel-disc setups. Most engines need to produce a minimum of 17–22 inches of vacuum for optimal booster performance.
Hydraulic Brake Assist Systems — Use fluid pressure from the power steering pump to aid braking effort. Originally developed for diesel engines with low vacuum, hydraulic assist has become popular in the hot rod world for high-performance engines that do not generate sufficient vacuum for traditional boosters.
Electric Power Assist Brakes — 12-volt vacuum motors that operate quietly and react fast. These are ideal for engine swaps where vacuum is limited or for custom builds where a traditional booster will not fit.
Frame-Mounted Pedal Assemblies — Complete power brake upgrade kits with master cylinder, vacuum booster, and pedal assembly that mount inside the frame rail or boxing plate. Popular for early street rods with floor-mounted pedals.
Brake Rotors, Calipers, Pads & Hardware
Brake Rotors — Available in solid, vented, drilled, and slotted designs. Vented rotors offer better cooling for daily driving and performance use. Drilled and slotted rotors provide enhanced heat dissipation, improved wet-weather bite, and a modern aesthetic behind open wheels. Rotor diameter and bolt pattern must match your wheel size and hub configuration.
Brake Calipers — Range from single-piston OEM-style units to multi-piston performance calipers. Multi-piston calipers deliver stronger, more consistent clamping force and better pedal feel but may require larger wheels for clearance. Wilwood, Baer, and CPP offer caliper upgrades in multiple piston counts and finishes.
Brake Pads — Three main compounds dominate the market: organic pads for quiet street driving, semi-metallic pads for improved fade resistance and longer life, and ceramic pads for strong durability with minimal dust. The right compound depends on your driving style, vehicle weight, and budget.
Brake Hoses & Lines — Rubber flex hoses for stock replacement, stainless steel braided hoses for improved pedal feel and abrasion resistance, and pre-bent hard lines for factory-fit restoration. Custom line kits with proper fittings eliminate the guesswork when plumbing a new brake system.
Brake Proportioning Valves — Essential for balancing front-to-rear brake pressure when converting from drums to discs. Adjustable proportioning valves let you fine-tune brake bias for your specific vehicle weight, tire compound, and driving conditions.
Residual Pressure Valves — Maintain 2–10 psi of line pressure to keep caliper pistons close to the rotor or wheel cylinders expanded against the drums. Critical for systems where the master cylinder is mounted below the calipers or wheel cylinders.
Brake Fluid, Tools & Maintenance Supplies
Brake fluid is the lifeblood of your hydraulic brake system. It must maintain stable viscosity across extreme temperature ranges while resisting moisture absorption that lowers its boiling point. Using the wrong fluid — or allowing fluid to become contaminated — leads to spongy pedals, corrosion, and potential system failure.
DOT 3 Brake Fluid — The base specification for most classic car brake systems. Suitable for drum brakes and light-duty disc applications with moderate operating temperatures.
DOT 4 Brake Fluid — Higher dry and wet boiling points than DOT 3. The better choice for performance driving, four-wheel-disc systems, and vehicles operated in hilly or mountainous terrain.
DOT 5 Silicone Brake Fluid — Non-hygroscopic and will not absorb moisture. A favorite of hot rodders and show car builders because it will not damage paint if spilled. Not compatible with DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluids — a complete system flush is required before switching.
DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid — Compatible with DOT 3 and DOT 4 systems while offering a higher boiling point and lower viscosity. Ideal for modern ABS systems and performance applications requiring rapid pedal response.
Brake Bleeding Tools & Kits — One-man brake bleeders, pressure bleeders, and vacuum bleeders that make flushing old fluid and removing air from the system fast and mess-free.
Tube Flaring Tools — Professional hydraulic flaring kits for producing consistent single-flare, double-flare, and bubble-flare terminations on 3/16-inch and 1/4-inch brake line tubing. Essential for custom brake line fabrication.
Brake Systems by Vehicle Application
Our disc brake conversion kits and brake components are organized by popular classic car and truck platforms. Use our fitment filters to narrow results by:
Ford Applications: 1932–1934 Deuce, 1935–1940 Ford, 1942–1948 passenger cars, 1949–1951 Shoebox, 1953–1956 F-100, 1965–1973 Mustang, 1967–1970 Cougar, Ford 9-inch rear axles
Chevrolet Applications: 1955–1957 Tri-Five Bel Air / 210 / 150, 1964–1972 Chevelle, 1967–1969 Camaro, 1968–1974 Nova, 1960–1987 C10 trucks, Chevy 10- and 12-bolt rear axles
Mopar Applications: 1966–1974 Charger, 1968–1974 Challenger, 1967–1976 Dart, 1967–1971 GTX / Road Runner, Mopar 8.75-inch rear axles
Universal / Custom Applications: Mustang II front suspension brake kits, four-link rear brake kits, ladder bar setups, and universal master cylinder / booster packages for tube chassis and full-custom builds