upgrading the brakes

[reid1801]

I'd like to upgrade the brakes on my P3, to disc at the front, and hydraulic at the back. Does anyone know of parts that will fit, possibly from a later model? I am also hoping to add power/vacuum assistance.

(Please forgive me if these are dumb questions. I have only just bought my P3, and it's mostly in pieces. I can't claim to know much about them, but I have just ordered the repair manual!)

with thanks,

Nick (in Canberra)

[47p2]

Hi Nick and welcome to the forum.

I believe that if the rod brakes and the hydraulics are properly adjusted the P3 braking system should be more than adequate to stop the car

[P3Steve]

Never felt the need to up rate the brakes on my P3, when ever I give some one a ride in it the question almost always pops up about how good the brakes are and after getting the passenger to brace them selves and checking its clear behind I carry out a firm brake application. The question never comes up again. True with no servo you need a firm push on the pedal but that’s more adapting to the style of car than a deficiency with the brakes, start changing things and the car losses its character and owning one of these is all about the driving experience.

[lakesrally]

I agree with Steve, properly adjusted the brakes are fine on the P3. Your conversion sounds like more trouble than it is worth to me but at the end of the day it's your car so if that's what you want to do then best of luck.

Regards

[blackredp3]

p3 brakes on my car are better than my cyclops with hydraulics all round

[neil.henderson]

Hi Nick (in Canberra),
I am in Murrumbateman (wine moving feast this weekend ) - and I have bought 2 p3's in the last year - one of which is in pieces (I took it apart), the other is almost ready for roadworthy.
I am no expert on the P3's but have learnt quite a lot already + have the manuals - this forum is one source I have found invaluable.

If you like give me an email & we can talk about how we'll get our P3's on the road!!! I'm not planning a brake upgrade by the way.

Neil Henderson

[chloe]

Hi, I have upgraded the brakes on my P3 to Hydraulic all round, with a P6 brake booster.
I used P5 rear wheel cylinders as they have the mechanics for the hand brake. I extended the shoes 1/2 inch for the differance in length of the wheel cylinders, the P3 are 4 inches and the P5 are 3 inches. And as they say it really does stop on a dime.

Barry

[Bernie Hurren]

Hi Everyone

I purchased a P3 6 light not long ago and when some of the guys from the club came around we noticed it had been upgraded to P4 drums up the front and still has the mechanical brakes up back and it pulls up extremely well

Bernie