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replacing brake calipers

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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 09:58 PM
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Default replacing brake calipers

I would like to replace the brake calipers in my 77. Theres already been so much work done to it that there is no need to try to stay stock. Any ideas on high performace calipers that look better than the stock cast iron clunkers
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 10:12 PM
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Willwoods. Light weight aluminum high performance brake calipers. Pricey though.
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 10:18 PM
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Default Wilwoods ...

I have the kit from Keith at Corvette Engineering. Its pretty nice. I am still bedding in the brakes, but as of yet I am not getting alot better performance than stock. IT IS better though. My old system was pretty good even with DOT 5 and organic pads, which stopped great with little heat in them. The Wilwoods do look great!!

I am really thinking my vette is crying for Hydraboost. I wonder how good I would have been with a hydraboost set up. ????

carbster
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Willwoods. Light weight aluminum high performance brake calipers. Pricey though.
not pricey at all. You do have to spring for mounting brackets which makes the price more than stock replacements.


dynalites can be had for around $90

pick up used wilwoods on ebay for $40
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by carbster09
I am really thinking my vette is crying for Hydraboost. I wonder how good I would have been with a hydraboost set up. ????

carbster


I'm VERY impressed with the Hydro I put in mine and I have heard no complaints from anyone that has done that swap.
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by dancntwo
...... Any ideas on high performace calipers that look better than the stock cast iron clunkers
The standard iron clunkers when sleeved with stainless and O ring seals, stop our Vettes far better than the originals. They can be painted in numerous ways to make them look high performance/show car without that high performance price. They also are a bolt up procedure without any modifications.
Eddie
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 10:40 PM
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Ok, I know I am probably in the minority here, but if all you are going for is something that looks better then you should just get some rebuilt calipers from VB and P. They can powdercoat them red, black, or yellow. If you prefer, they will even rebuild your units for you if you send them in. I sent mine to them awhile back and had them use silver epoxy paint, they look real nice.

Point is you are about to drop off alot of cash for aluminum calipers and unless you are competing with your car it is really unecessary.

Just my .02
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Edzred72
The standard iron clunkers when sleeved with stainless and O ring seals, stop our Vettes far better than the originals. They can be painted in numerous ways to make them look high performance/show car without that high performance price. They also are a bolt up procedure without any modifications.
Eddie
Damn, you beat me to the punch.
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Edzred72
The standard iron clunkers
exactly
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Old Feb 26, 2007 | 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by turtlevette
exactly
Ok, well not everybody has a gumball on the side of their car...
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 11:05 AM
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Personally I'm a fan of the $69.99 lifetime warranty S/S sleeved calipers Autozone sells. I usually refer those to anyone with a street car. But, the original posted asked fro a high performance caliper. I think if you race...spend money on the best. If you don't race, there is nothing wrong with the sleeved stock calipers. O-ring seals may be better, but I have heard they CAN leak just like a lip seal.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Personally I'm a fan of the $69.99 lifetime warranty S/S sleeved calipers Autozone sells. .
if you go back and research old threads, you'll find that the autozone calipers can leak when brand new. So you may be returning several before you get 4 good ones.

Normally i'm a fan of Autozone but this may be one of their weak points.

If you have a clunker then nothing wrong with putting big heavy clunky parts on.

Last edited by turtlevette; Feb 27, 2007 at 11:28 AM.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 11:33 AM
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The aluminum Wilwoods are not required for a street car but like everything else on my car they are there because I wanted them, not out of necessity.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by turtlevette
Normally i'm a fan of Autozone but this may be one of their weak points.

I totally agree. Unfortunately the same can be said about most new parts from most local stores. Starters, water pump, ect, ect...quality just goes further down as parts come from over seas.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 12:57 PM
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Aerospace brakes!!


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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 12:58 PM
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Default Bring your own Wilwood

Originally Posted by turtlevette
not pricey at all. You do have to spring for mounting brackets which makes the price more than stock replacements.


dynalites can be had for around $90

pick up used wilwoods on ebay for $40
Thats always an option...
I do sell bracket kits seperately for those trying to save a buck.
Brackets, stainless flex lines, fittings, bolts $100 for the front.
Everything but the calipers.
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Old Feb 28, 2007 | 12:45 AM
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Originally Posted by GrandSportC3
Aerospace brakes!!


Those are some thin rotors...
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Old Feb 28, 2007 | 01:54 AM
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Or a big fenderwell...........
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Old Feb 28, 2007 | 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Those are some thin rotors...

Just like motorcycle rotors.
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Old Feb 28, 2007 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Just like motorcycle rotors.
that's a lightweight braking system for drag racing only. You don't even want that on the street. A little spirited driving will get you into trouble.
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