corvette stock discs
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
If you're talking about something like the Wilwood direct replacement D8 calipers, I'm going to tell you there is little to no advantage to them on the street.
To start with, the Wilwoods use the same size pad as the stock calipers, even their 6 piston ones, so there is no change in the brake pad surface area. The Wilwood calipers are aluminum, so they weight about half as much as a stock cast iron caliper (6 or 7 pounds verse 11 for stock), so they do reduce un-sprung weight. Being aluminum, they also cool a little quicker than the stock iron calipers. Reduced unsprung weight and improved brake cooling are an advantage if you're autocrossing, doing track days, or racing, but in normal driving, I doubt you'd see any real difference.
Going to aftermarket calipers and larger rotors, will improve braking, but will require larger 16", 17" or 18" wheels.
The best improvement you can make for brake performance on the street, is a switch to a better grade pad from someone like Wilwood or Hawk.
To start with, the Wilwoods use the same size pad as the stock calipers, even their 6 piston ones, so there is no change in the brake pad surface area. The Wilwood calipers are aluminum, so they weight about half as much as a stock cast iron caliper (6 or 7 pounds verse 11 for stock), so they do reduce un-sprung weight. Being aluminum, they also cool a little quicker than the stock iron calipers. Reduced unsprung weight and improved brake cooling are an advantage if you're autocrossing, doing track days, or racing, but in normal driving, I doubt you'd see any real difference.
Going to aftermarket calipers and larger rotors, will improve braking, but will require larger 16", 17" or 18" wheels.
The best improvement you can make for brake performance on the street, is a switch to a better grade pad from someone like Wilwood or Hawk.
Last edited by gbvette62; Sep 3, 2019 at 09:39 AM.
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 585
From: Anaheim Hills California
If you're talking about something like the Wilwood direct replacement D8 calipers, I'm going to tell you there is little to no advantage to them on the street.
To start with, the Wilwoods use the same size pad as the stock calipers, even their 6 piston ones, so there is no change in the brake pad surface area. The Wilwood calipers are aluminum, so they weight about half as much as a stock cast iron caliper (6 or 7 pounds verse 11 for stock), so they do reduce un-sprung weight. Being aluminum, they also cool a little quicker than the stock iron calipers. Reduced unsprung weight and improved brake cooling are an advantage if you're autocrossing, doing track days, or racing, but in normal driving, I doubt you'd see any real difference.
Going to aftermarket calipers and larger rotors, will improve braking, but will require larger 16", 17" or 18" wheels.
The best improvement you can make for brake performance on the street, is a switch to a better grade pad from someone like Wilwood or Hawk.
To start with, the Wilwoods use the same size pad as the stock calipers, even their 6 piston ones, so there is no change in the brake pad surface area. The Wilwood calipers are aluminum, so they weight about half as much as a stock cast iron caliper (6 or 7 pounds verse 11 for stock), so they do reduce un-sprung weight. Being aluminum, they also cool a little quicker than the stock iron calipers. Reduced unsprung weight and improved brake cooling are an advantage if you're autocrossing, doing track days, or racing, but in normal driving, I doubt you'd see any real difference.
Going to aftermarket calipers and larger rotors, will improve braking, but will require larger 16", 17" or 18" wheels.
The best improvement you can make for brake performance on the street, is a switch to a better grade pad from someone like Wilwood or Hawk.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Excellent advice....
Even though the C2/C3 cars were built with 1950's designed frame and suspension, the braking system in the car was 'light-years' ahead of anything else on the U.S. roadways. Was it adequate for doing circuit racing? No, but it could be readily upgraded to get it there. Same with the suspension....changing springs, shocks, and sway bars could make a pretty snappy road car out of a good-lookin' street machine.
Not nearly enough credit is given to the Chevrolet design engineering group for how much went in to this car's construction. It is still viable after more than 50 years (since 1963)!!
Even though the C2/C3 cars were built with 1950's designed frame and suspension, the braking system in the car was 'light-years' ahead of anything else on the U.S. roadways. Was it adequate for doing circuit racing? No, but it could be readily upgraded to get it there. Same with the suspension....changing springs, shocks, and sway bars could make a pretty snappy road car out of a good-lookin' street machine.
Not nearly enough credit is given to the Chevrolet design engineering group for how much went in to this car's construction. It is still viable after more than 50 years (since 1963)!!
Last edited by 7T1vette; Sep 3, 2019 at 11:02 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
I changed the stock rotors to drilled cryo-treated rotors on my 68 convert only for appearance. The stock rotors had zero wear on them.....excellent quality steel used back then. One upgrade that was worth it- mentioned by Crimson Thunder- was changing to Goodrich braided stainless steel brake hoses.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Just think. High performance aftermarket calipers are 4 and sometimes 6 piston designs. Corvette went to 4 wheel 4 piston calipers in 1965 so they are plenty up to the task today unless you are considering reducing unsprung weight. As 7T1 said, our brakes were light years ahead of anything of it's day and that still holds true today so a certain extent. My manual brake equipped 1971 Vette is the best braking car in our stable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,713
Likes: 1,372
It was worth it to me. Got them on group sale here about 7 years ago. Haven't had to do a bleed since. No leaks. Came with braided SS hoses. I'm glad I did it. Got the 6-piston fronts and 4-piston rears on that sale for like $1k and they came with the braided SS hoses......
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