Do a search on them on this forum and you will find lots of horror stories.
Caliper options?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Caliper options?
Anything out there aside from VB&P O-ring calipers & Wilwood's super expensive conversions?
I know VB&P were talking about a C5 & C6 caliper conversion kit.
Any other companies make some conversion kits or bolt-in calipers that offer better performance over the stock but without my future kid losing out on braces? $700 on front & another $700 on rear is insane.
Anyone? anything?
I know VB&P were talking about a C5 & C6 caliper conversion kit.
Any other companies make some conversion kits or bolt-in calipers that offer better performance over the stock but without my future kid losing out on braces? $700 on front & another $700 on rear is insane.
Anyone? anything?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
I bought all four corners, calipers, pads, pins, SS lines from Fast Corvette in Texas for about $650. There's an interesting article on calipers on their site. www.fastcorvette.com - parts-brakes
It's all stock stuff--stops my car fine!
It's all stock stuff--stops my car fine!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
http://www.stainlesssteelbrakes.com/.../Corvette/1972
I'm going with Wilwoods from http://www.corvettengineering.com/brakes.html though
I'm going with Wilwoods from http://www.corvettengineering.com/brakes.html though
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
I know VB&P were talking about a C5 & C6 caliper conversion kit.
I've heard a few forum members have said that the C5 brakes actually perform worse than the stock C3 calipers due to master bore size. If the C5 brakes would be used, the master and all the lines would have to be changed too. I'm not sure but it's worth doing a search on before buying a kit like that.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I've heard a few forum members have said that the C5 brakes actually perform worse than the stock C3 calipers due to master bore size. If the C5 brakes would be used, the master and all the lines would have to be changed too. I'm not sure but it's worth doing a search on before buying a kit like that.
Sort of...C5 brakes do require a new smaller bore Master clyinder to function properly, but then they will work OK.
Wilwood brakes are much better for high performance applications, Stiffer lighter...
As low as $450 front, $465 rear.
A little better fronts are $510.
these are both a bolt on and contain everything you need except fluid (calipers, pads, new brackets, new stainless lines). They use the same rotor as stock too.
Corvette Engineering is my part time business. Al I sell (so far) is C3 brake kits because I didn't like what was out there.
Keith
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I'm very happy with the Wilwood Talledega Fronts and Blackhawk Rears with Wilwood BP-10 pads from Corvette Engineering.
I added Raybestos Brutestop drilled and slotted rotors for good measure.
The sum total equals awesome brakes!
I added Raybestos Brutestop drilled and slotted rotors for good measure.
The sum total equals awesome brakes!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
Wilwood master cylinder and brake bias
I would like to go with Keith's set up, i.e. the Wilwood set up. Is anyone using the Wilwood master cylinder? And what about Brake bias? Do you all reckon an adjustable brake bias vlv is a good idea? I reckon my backs lock up before my fronts ... a little too quickly.
Damn and I only have 1,200 miles on my VBP set too! Maybe I can get some $$$ in the for sale section!
carbster
Damn and I only have 1,200 miles on my VBP set too! Maybe I can get some $$$ in the for sale section!
carbster
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Has anyone upgraded to a larger diameter rotor & brake setup? maybe with a two peice rotor design.
Sort of like the "Big Brake Kits" that you always here the damn F-bodys or Mustangs upgrading to, usually via Baer.
Of course the larger rotor would require a new caliper bracket and larger rims for wheel clearance.
Just thinking long term future projects. Why not nip them in the bud now...now I need to run & get a lottery ticket.
Sort of like the "Big Brake Kits" that you always here the damn F-bodys or Mustangs upgrading to, usually via Baer.
Of course the larger rotor would require a new caliper bracket and larger rims for wheel clearance.
Just thinking long term future projects. Why not nip them in the bud now...now I need to run & get a lottery ticket.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
Bear ... well no ..
Bear doesn't sell stuff for us as the C-3 has a floating caliper design. However there are guys that have systems such as Keith's at corvettengineering.com. Check his site out. Need to upgrade to bigger wheels with some set ups. Also check out SSBC.
I really like the two piece rotors with the Alum center. Less weight!
carbster
I really like the two piece rotors with the Alum center. Less weight!
carbster
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
I bought the Wilwood setup from Keith and I'm pretty happy. My only complaint is that race pads don't work so good when they are cold. I wish I had gone with bigger rear brakes, cause they seem to be along for the ride while the fronts do all the work. I'd increase the bias to the rear, like I did on my Porsche, but you can't on the Vette. The next braking improvement for me is possibly the hydraboost. I've read a couple of times from people on this forum that it was the best upgrade they ever did. When someone says that, I pay attention. It's hard to find information on it though, I need a "hydraboost for dummies" paper, or a bolt on kit. I think the yellow73 kidd was selling something like a kit, but hes been banned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I have hydroboost on my 71 along with the wilwood setup described above. Awesome brakes.
I considered a bias valve to place a little more in the rear but after reading up on the theory and after talking to a local racer, I decided that the factory bias was probably best. If I was a racer with huge rear tires or if I had dramatically changed the front to rear weight distribution, I would alter Zora's design with a different bias.
Spend you time and energy on the hydroboost and leave the bias as is.
I considered a bias valve to place a little more in the rear but after reading up on the theory and after talking to a local racer, I decided that the factory bias was probably best. If I was a racer with huge rear tires or if I had dramatically changed the front to rear weight distribution, I would alter Zora's design with a different bias.
Spend you time and energy on the hydroboost and leave the bias as is.
Last edited by flynhi; Oct 17, 2006 at 08:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Originally Posted by carbster09
Bear doesn't sell stuff for us as the C-3 has a floating caliper design. However there are guys that have systems such as Keith's at corvettengineering.com. Check his site out. Need to upgrade to bigger wheels with some set ups. Also check out SSBC.
I really like the two piece rotors with the Alum center. Less weight!
carbster
I really like the two piece rotors with the Alum center. Less weight!
carbster
Same reason VB&P hasn't done the C5 upgrade.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
Bee Jay;
If you REALLY want more rear brake I can get you calipers with the same pistons as the front, then you can run a proportioning valve and bias it however you want. New calipers would be $125 each, of course they are black and youd have to powder coat them again.
carbster;
I have brackets for 13" rotors then you use Vette Brakes Aluminum hubs and custom rotors from Coleman machine. The 13" rotors weigh the same as the stock 11.75" setup.
I don't stock the parts since I don't get a discount and would have to charge way too much. as it is rotors are about $160 each and hubs are about $190 each from VB and P.
keith
If you REALLY want more rear brake I can get you calipers with the same pistons as the front, then you can run a proportioning valve and bias it however you want. New calipers would be $125 each, of course they are black and youd have to powder coat them again.
carbster;
I have brackets for 13" rotors then you use Vette Brakes Aluminum hubs and custom rotors from Coleman machine. The 13" rotors weigh the same as the stock 11.75" setup.
I don't stock the parts since I don't get a discount and would have to charge way too much. as it is rotors are about $160 each and hubs are about $190 each from VB and P.
keith
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Originally Posted by Corvette Engineering
carbster;
I have brackets for 13" rotors then you use Vette Brakes Aluminum hubs and custom rotors from Coleman machine. The 13" rotors weigh the same as the stock 11.75" setup.
I don't stock the parts since I don't get a discount and would have to charge way too much. as it is rotors are about $160 each and hubs are about $190 each from VB and P.keith
I have brackets for 13" rotors then you use Vette Brakes Aluminum hubs and custom rotors from Coleman machine. The 13" rotors weigh the same as the stock 11.75" setup.
I don't stock the parts since I don't get a discount and would have to charge way too much. as it is rotors are about $160 each and hubs are about $190 each from VB and P.keith
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
HOLY COW...I'll pay you in rusted broken bolts....I have tons of those tucked under my matress.
so lets see at current scrap metal pricing that would be like 50 tons of steel?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
This is a comparison between my 14 inch rotors and a stock rotor
I upgraded to 18 inch rims all around to give extra clearance for the
14 inch rotors.
I modified the stock calliper brackets to allow me to mount the 14 inch rotors
I still believe in a hydroboost and well set up stock sleeved callipers.
The stock callipers are very rigid, large 4 piston design and other then
Weight are a fantastic calliper.
You need to set up wheel bearings and rotor run out and with that set up
You will not have problems or lack brake power.
With performance friction pads repeated stops from 100 mph are absolutely
No problem.
You do need hydroboost . It is the single best mod you can make to any stock setup.
I upgraded to 18 inch rims all around to give extra clearance for the
14 inch rotors.
I modified the stock calliper brackets to allow me to mount the 14 inch rotors
I still believe in a hydroboost and well set up stock sleeved callipers.
The stock callipers are very rigid, large 4 piston design and other then
Weight are a fantastic calliper.
You need to set up wheel bearings and rotor run out and with that set up
You will not have problems or lack brake power.
With performance friction pads repeated stops from 100 mph are absolutely
No problem.
You do need hydroboost . It is the single best mod you can make to any stock setup.