MN80Vette

I've been reading the Wilwood Forged Dynalite Big Brake Front Kit while I wait for it to be shipped(5weeks so far, an estimated 3 weeks more). The installation instructions don't include the brake caliper shields.

Should I install them, or leave them off like the diagram shows?
Will they interfere with the Wilwood calipers?
What are the downsides of leaving them off?



Thanks.

zwede

I used my stock shields due to my theory that GM wouldn't have spent even a few pennies on shields unless they had to. I did have to modify them to clear, though.

dugsgms74

If you can make them fit install them. If not, leave 'em off and don't worry about it. Downside is that w/o them mud and snow can pack-up back there, do you ever drive in the mud or snow?

Richard454

I went w/ the 14" Wilwood Forged Narrow SuperLite Big Brake Kit- and the was no way the shield would fit.

Looked around and could not really find a definitive answer on the real purpose...

Zwede has a very valid point- as GM would save every penny it could.

What are they good for? Read from keep water out-to as a heat shield to keep from heating up rubber boots on the ball joints. Yet most who track their cars - say w/o the shields they cool better but drive different in the rain....

DSCN4854 by Richard Hayes, on Flickr

0Todd TCE

Well said. I can't think of any good reason to keep them. Customary remove them on about any BBK build I can think of.

MN80Vette

Just looking at the caliper mounting bracket, it looks like the caliper will be mounted in a different position than the stock calipers. I'm not surprised the caliper shields need to be modified because the Wilwood calipers mount in a different location than stock calipers.

I agree. GM wouldn't have invested in an elaborate plated shield if there wasn't a need for those shields. I'll wait to see what it takes to modify the shields or even put them on at all.

BOOT77

My 86 c4 didn't come with them, so I guess GM stopped caring about c4 owners!

You want em make them fit and if you don't them leave them off it's as simple as that. You can argue GM this or GM that and sometimes GM did stuff because. Arguments can be made about heat, stones, water, cats, dogs, aliens or the effect of the pull of the moon when you brake at night!

HAIL GM!

BOOT77

Oh snap, I just remembered that actually the rear only had them on my 86, so maybe the pull of the moon affects the rear and the pull of mars is the front?

edit2: I also forgot to mention I think when they changed to bigger rear brakes they stopped using shields in 88

edit: HAIL GM!