Is there any real world testing that proves rear discs stop shorter than a good performance drum set up on a fox body Cougar/Thunderbird? I'm not talking big brake kits,just the TC or SN95s. I know that MM did tests on the 60mm vs 73mm caliper with surprising results. I know discs provide better fade resistance after repeated stops.......or do they?
Let the games begin.
My opinion, well adjusted "rebuilt" drums work just as good in daily driving, are cheap and last forever. Discs are much easier to work on. Rear brakes you hardly have to worry about fade.
On a daily driver drum brakes in the rear are a economical solution that only contribute about 30% or less of the total braking of the vehicle. A daily driver will not experience brake fade from overheating the brakes so that topic of discussion is out the window. With a four wheel drum car adjustment is a huge deal as it affects how the car steers under braking. With only the rear brakes being drum this is not as much of a concern unless the rear brakes are locking up before the front brakes.
Now, rear disc brakes are preferred over rear drum for ease of maintenance, stay adjusted so there is typically not more than a few percent of difference from side to side, more resistant to fade as they dissipate heat faster, and in general look a lot better behind the rim.
ABS is utilized on cars with rear drum and disc brakes so that is not of concern other than talks of the disc brakes handling the modulation of the ABS pump better than the drums. If that is true or to what percentage I cannot find so take it as a it makes sense kind of think with how the two different brakes systems work.
I've already done the 11''/ 73mm front brake upgrade with a wilwood proportioning valve (turned all the way in) and a Town Car master cyl and upgraded to 15/16" wheel cyls in the rear. The bias is "almost" dead on but the linings are showing their age. My plan is to go up to a 1"bore wheel cyl and good ceramic shoes to gain some adjust-ability with the prop valve. I really don't need red calipers in the back too.