Brake Kit Recommneded
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Russellville AR
Brake Kit Recommneded
Hello Forum. I am ready to replace my rotors, pads, and calipers on my 79. I do not do any high performance driving. I would like to purchase an entire brake kit that is better than the original kit without having to spend a fortune. I was looking on the internet and there are a ton of options. I just want a good quality upgrade to what I am using.
Please send your suggestions. Thanks. Sam
Please send your suggestions. Thanks. Sam
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Hello Forum. I am ready to replace my rotors, pads, and calipers on my 79. I do not do any high performance driving. I would like to purchase an entire brake kit that is better than the original kit without having to spend a fortune. I was looking on the internet and there are a ton of options. I just want a good quality upgrade to what I am using.
Please send your suggestions. Thanks. Sam
Please send your suggestions. Thanks. Sam
Why upgrade and waste $? I personally would just buy a set of SS calipers, quality pads, rotors and hoses. You can purchase these parts from some of the sponsoring vendors of the Forum. Just my 2 cents.
Last edited by Jud Chapin; Mar 2, 2013 at 08:13 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Edgewater Maryland
Brakes
I am getting ready to order the o-ringed caliper kit form Corvette Central.
The kit is 699.00 and comes with pads, hoses, rear brakes lines and new calipers that are o-ringed instead of a lip seal. Plus, no core charge. Anybody have any issues with CorvetteCentral, they seemed knowledgeable when I talked to them.
The kit is 699.00 and comes with pads, hoses, rear brakes lines and new calipers that are o-ringed instead of a lip seal. Plus, no core charge. Anybody have any issues with CorvetteCentral, they seemed knowledgeable when I talked to them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Go with stainless steel sleeved o-ring sealed brake calipers. 
If you are not doing any performance driving, then just good quality parts for the rest. Many vendors to choose from.
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...rake-Kits.html
If you are not doing any performance driving, then just good quality parts for the rest. Many vendors to choose from.http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...rake-Kits.html
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Vega Baja Puerto Rico
I got my kit from http://www.cssbinc.com/ if your calipers are SS sleeved already and 98% of all c3 calipers are, then just buy the kits. There about $42 each. Also the cause for all the corrosion is the DOT 3 brake fluid, I flushed my lines and replaces it with DOT 5 Silicon break fluid, its non corrosive.
It's easy and fast to do. What I did was wash, clean and paint the calipers with ceramic caliper paint, mount the kits and bleed, I didn't need the piston retaining tool.
Hope this helps
Joey
It's easy and fast to do. What I did was wash, clean and paint the calipers with ceramic caliper paint, mount the kits and bleed, I didn't need the piston retaining tool.
Hope this helps
Joey
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Unless your rotors have been turned to the point that they are too thin, or are badly scored, DO NOT REPLACE THEM! With the fixed caliper design of the C2/3, very minimum rotor runout is critical. If you replace the rotors and do not set up for minimum runout you will have more problems than you started with.
New or rebuilt calipers, new pads, and perhaps a new or rebuilt master cylinder should get you there. The stock Corvette disc brakes are excellent for all use except all out competition.
Pete
New or rebuilt calipers, new pads, and perhaps a new or rebuilt master cylinder should get you there. The stock Corvette disc brakes are excellent for all use except all out competition.
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Unless your rotors have been turned to the point that they are too thin, or are badly scored, DO NOT REPLACE THEM! With the fixed caliper design of the C2/3, very minimum rotor runout is critical. If you replace the rotors and do not set up for minimum runout you will have more problems than you started with...
Pete
Pete
C3 rotors seldom need actual replacement.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
wilwood D-8
The problem with the stock calipers, even with the stainless lining, is they can eat the iron from behind the lining then start leaking again... not to mention reducing unsprung weight will make your car handle and drive better.
The problem with the stock calipers, even with the stainless lining, is they can eat the iron from behind the lining then start leaking again... not to mention reducing unsprung weight will make your car handle and drive better.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Unless your rotors have been turned to the point that they are too thin, or are badly scored, DO NOT REPLACE THEM! With the fixed caliper design of the C2/3, very minimum rotor runout is critical. If you replace the rotors and do not set up for minimum runout you will have more problems than you started with.
New or rebuilt calipers, new pads, and perhaps a new or rebuilt master cylinder should get you there. The stock Corvette disc brakes are excellent for all use except all out competition.
Pete
New or rebuilt calipers, new pads, and perhaps a new or rebuilt master cylinder should get you there. The stock Corvette disc brakes are excellent for all use except all out competition.
Pete
Wish more people would get over the 'must replace rotors' idea.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
IF you must replace your rotors, you will need to shim them using a dial indicator to within .004" max runout at the outter edge or the oscillation will pump air back into your system. Might want to have them faced "on vehicle" to get them dead-nuts". Yes...even brand new ones.
Stock systems are amazing when working properly.
Cheers
Stock systems are amazing when working properly.
Cheers
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Vega Baja Puerto Rico
I upgraded mine 2 years ago and haven't had a problen sinse, my vette stops straight and fast.
Joey
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
DOT 5 is overrated for street driven cars. It compresses slightly, and tends to form tiny bubbles, both these "features" will give a soft pedal, something a C3 certainly doesn't need given how hard they are for many people to completely bleed all the air out. DOT 5 is specifically NOT recommended for modern cars with anti-lock brakes for the its compressibility. DOT5 is fine for museum pieces that never or very rarely get driven.Pete
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I have had standard lip seal SS calipers in my 78 since 1985 with DOT 3 fluid on a car that is hardly driven and have never had a problem with the calipers-change the fluid ever 3-4 years!
The stock system is outstanding if maintained. I have the OEM rotors, Stainless steel braided hoses and run Performance Friction Z rated pads and the thing STOPS-Straight and true every time. Are they C6 Z06 brakes? NO but pretty darn good for a 35 year old car, even by today's standards for brakes.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Russellville AR
Hey Guys, thanks the advise. I never want to spend more that I really need. I got a question about the rotors oscillating and pushing air back into the system. My old rotors are not scratched or grooved. I was thinking of just having them turned and putting them back on. The reference was to rotor runout. Thanks Sam
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42