street brake options?
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Joined: Aug 2012
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street brake options?
Hey everyone, I've been looking at getting my calipers and pads changed on my '77 but everything looks so damn expensive. I'd love to do Wilwoods but I don't think they're in the budget at the moment. I was just wondering what options are out there for an OE style caliper that won't hurt my wallet so bad. I've always got the option of going to Autozone ($260ish for calipers pads and hoses, with employee discount) but something about putting autozone stuff on my corvette just feels wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
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From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I would use the OEM Caliper since it is such a good design for the street, then as well as now, 4 piston fixed caliper at each wheel. For pads, lots of choices but I have used now for years Performance Friction Carbon Metallic along with Stainless Steel brake hoses for a firmer, more consistent brake pedal. I have used the Performance Friction pad for years on multiple cars and really like them. They get better the hotter they get and never seem to wear out. I have used PF pads on my Grand Prix 2001, 2004 Impala, 1994 Mustang GT Convertible, and about to put them on my 2008 Chrysler 300-Oh another BIG plus, PF pads are very quiet and make almost no noticeable brake dust!.
Hope that helps!
Hope that helps!
Last edited by jb78L-82; Apr 23, 2013 at 12:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 2
I would use the OEM Caliper since it is such a good design for the street, then as well as now, 4 piston fixed caliper at each wheel. For pads, lots of choices but I have used now for years Performance Friction Carbon Metallic along with Stainless Steel brake hoses for a firmer, more consistent brake pedal. I have used the Performance Friction pad for years on multiple cars and really like them. They get better the hotter they get and never seem to wear out. I have used PF pads on my Grand Prix 2001, 2004 Impala, 1994 Mustang GT Convertible, and about to put them on my 2008 Chrysler 300.
Hope that helps!
Hope that helps!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
if they are already stainless sleeved you have about the best setup you will get for the money. I just keep a few kits of lip ring seals in the garage in case I get a leaker.
for pads I use Wagner, made in USA and inexpensive.
for pads I use Wagner, made in USA and inexpensive.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 65
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That's the thing. They are leaking. The front ones aren't too too bad but the rears are leaking a lot of brake fluid. The brakes on the car are pretty much useless at this point.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Take a look at this site:
http://www.topbrakes.com/searchResults.php/2661
PF Regular pads which I have on my 78, not the Z rated pads, are about $45-$50 per axle-relatively inexpensive compared to some of bigger names like Hawk HPS, EBC, etc. They didn't have the PF Z rated pads at the time I put them on my 78 back in the early 2000's. I would probably use the Z rated now although I have been very happy with the regular PF pads. I plan to use the regular PF pads on the front of my Chrysler 300 (they don't offer the Z rated for the front vented rotors) but will use the PF Z rated rear pads on the solid rear rotors on the 300.
http://www.topbrakes.com/searchResults.php/2661
PF Regular pads which I have on my 78, not the Z rated pads, are about $45-$50 per axle-relatively inexpensive compared to some of bigger names like Hawk HPS, EBC, etc. They didn't have the PF Z rated pads at the time I put them on my 78 back in the early 2000's. I would probably use the Z rated now although I have been very happy with the regular PF pads. I plan to use the regular PF pads on the front of my Chrysler 300 (they don't offer the Z rated for the front vented rotors) but will use the PF Z rated rear pads on the solid rear rotors on the 300.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Apr 23, 2013 at 01:36 PM.