Delco Calipers
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 837
From: PA
If you’re talking about using something like Wilwood, quality isn’t an issue and the choice to use them is up to you… I doubt that you’ll hear many complaints if you go this route.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 30
Likes: 7
From: Philly
The aftermarket “Delco style” calipers (most likely made overseas) have a horrible quality control reputation. The original Delco produced calipers, if sleeved and rebuilt correctly, don’t exhibit those problems.
If you’re talking about using something like Wilwood, quality isn’t an issue and the choice to use them is up to you… I doubt that you’ll hear many complaints if you go this route.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
If you’re talking about using something like Wilwood, quality isn’t an issue and the choice to use them is up to you… I doubt that you’ll hear many complaints if you go this route.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 837
From: PA
In recent years, I have used Lonestar (Lonestar Caliper Company) and sleeved original Delco castings. I have never had an issue to this point.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 444
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had the Lonestar re-sleeved callipers on our '78 for many years with no issues. But a couple of years ago one did start to leak slightly and I replaced it. So far all OK, but a couple of friends here had gone with Wilwood items and I confess I did look into those, but the cost turned me off at the time. That said, if I need to change again I think it would be for Wilwoods.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 579
From: Pittsburgh PA
i would not recommend the knock off delcos. i used one once in a bind- i wanted to drive my car, didnt want to wait on shipping a caliper out for rebuild. i only had it on the car for a few weeks, so i cant comment on longevity- however everything about it just looked cheap/low quality.
original delcos upgraded to o rings are my choice now.
original delcos upgraded to o rings are my choice now.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 30
Likes: 7
From: Philly
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,396
Likes: 1,011
From: Various places in Southern California.
If the ones on the car are Delcos it's probably about a 90% chance that they are sleeved. You can buy a full o-ring rebuild kit for about $200. It's easy to do. The sleeves tend to hold up very well, so not much needs to be done besides basic cleaning. I used a brake hone on a couple bores, but just lightly.
Most of the aftermarket calipers I see out there use lip seals. That's a non-starter for me.
Most of the aftermarket calipers I see out there use lip seals. That's a non-starter for me.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
FYI...two of my original '68 calipers were wearing the tops of the pads down to nothing at 56,000 miles.
I removed them and noticed the faces where the cailiper halves bolted together caused the gap the pads & rotor fit into to be 1/8"+ wider at the bottom.
I remachined the mating surfaces and now the pads are wearing evenly top to bottom.
(I wonder how may problems GM parts including brake calipers were prone to because of poor quality control)
(I know for certain my Oem side yokes were defective from the factory because the snap-ring grooves were not deep enough which cause one of the snap-rings to pop aloose
I removed them and noticed the faces where the cailiper halves bolted together caused the gap the pads & rotor fit into to be 1/8"+ wider at the bottom.
I remachined the mating surfaces and now the pads are wearing evenly top to bottom.
(I wonder how may problems GM parts including brake calipers were prone to because of poor quality control)
(I know for certain my Oem side yokes were defective from the factory because the snap-ring grooves were not deep enough which cause one of the snap-rings to pop aloose
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,794
Likes: 1,939
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I Have used Corvette Stainless Steel Brake Inc. in Florida many times. They know their stuff, great customer service, great inventory & great products. 
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CLICK HERE >>>> https://www.cssbinc.com/
