Full Brake System Replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Dirty Jerzey
Full Brake System Replacement
I know there are multiple threads about C3 brakes, but I am looking for some guidance in selecting what's best for my application. My car sees very little use, sits in the garage most of the time. I do take it out for some spirited driving, but I am not racing it. Maybe someday I will do some autocross, but that will be the extent of track time it will see. The suspension and steering has all been upgraded with VB&P items. The motor is pushing about 350HP with a recent rebuild, so it's not really a performance car. I want to keep the parts around 1K including rotors and lines.
My options:
-VB&P kit SS with o-rings
-Vansteel kit SS with o-rings (comparable cost to VB&P)
-Ecklers kit SS with lip seal (about $100 less than the others)
-Cheap route Autozone etc...
All have a core charge, will any of them make good and give me the refund?
Any suggestions what might work best for me?
My options:
-VB&P kit SS with o-rings
-Vansteel kit SS with o-rings (comparable cost to VB&P)
-Ecklers kit SS with lip seal (about $100 less than the others)
-Cheap route Autozone etc...
All have a core charge, will any of them make good and give me the refund?
Any suggestions what might work best for me?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Have you miked your existing rotors? If they are still in spec, there is no need to replace them.
Have you contacted Willcox to see what type of brake package they offer?
Have you contacted Willcox to see what type of brake package they offer?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Dirty Jerzey
The rotors are in rough shape, I can see grooves that have been worn into them. That, and I want to complete the performance wheel look with drilled/slotted rotors.
To further my confusion I looked on Summit, they have kits by SSBC that are comparable to what I would be paying with the core deposits. Has anyone used these?
To further my confusion I looked on Summit, they have kits by SSBC that are comparable to what I would be paying with the core deposits. Has anyone used these?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I know there are multiple threads about C3 brakes, but I am looking for some guidance in selecting what's best for my application. My car sees very little use, sits in the garage most of the time. I do take it out for some spirited driving, but I am not racing it. Maybe someday I will do some autocross, but that will be the extent of track time it will see. The suspension and steering has all been upgraded with VB&P items. The motor is pushing about 350HP with a recent rebuild, so it's not really a performance car. I want to keep the parts around 1K including rotors and lines.
My options:
-VB&P kit SS with o-rings
-Vansteel kit SS with o-rings (comparable cost to VB&P)
-Ecklers kit SS with lip seal (about $100 less than the others)
-Cheap route Autozone etc...
All have a core charge, will any of them make good and give me the refund?
Any suggestions what might work best for me?
My options:
-VB&P kit SS with o-rings
-Vansteel kit SS with o-rings (comparable cost to VB&P)
-Ecklers kit SS with lip seal (about $100 less than the others)
-Cheap route Autozone etc...
All have a core charge, will any of them make good and give me the refund?
Any suggestions what might work best for me?
For calipers that don't leak, it doesn't matter the current stock of rebuilt / new units all have higher failure rates than those built before 2000's. Your original stock calipers will be the longest lasting units. Any replacement units you buy now, you would be lucky to get 5-7 years before they leak again.
There are a lot with the 2-3 years and no problems but that doesn't help a car that sits most of the time.
If you want "bling" you can look at wilwood kits (expect to pay for this) I dont know if there calipers are any better for leaking problems but I gave up on the corvette suppliers and I am on year 1 for wilwoods.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Of the companies you mentioned, there are only two that have continued to engage in R&D for the C2 and C3 Corvettes. In my view this is important, not just for the products they sell, but the work necessary to see what works together and what is best for our cars. The other two sell products (and kits) that have been proven to work, by those that did the R&D.
Of the two that sell products that they have done R&D with, both have had excellent customer service in the past and offered excellent tech service when you call them on the phone and are looking for advice on what works and what doesn't. Unfortunately one of them has recently received mention here on the Forum for having difficulty with their previously stellar customer service. I wish it weren't so, but I've watched this progress over the past few years and hope they can correct the problem.
I personally have purchased from all of them, and probably will continue to in the future when necessary. But one of them will always be my first choice.
If you have any questions, just PM me.
Good luck... GUSTO
Of the two that sell products that they have done R&D with, both have had excellent customer service in the past and offered excellent tech service when you call them on the phone and are looking for advice on what works and what doesn't. Unfortunately one of them has recently received mention here on the Forum for having difficulty with their previously stellar customer service. I wish it weren't so, but I've watched this progress over the past few years and hope they can correct the problem.
I personally have purchased from all of them, and probably will continue to in the future when necessary. But one of them will always be my first choice.
If you have any questions, just PM me.
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
SS Brakes
Have your calipers ever been sleeved in stainless steel? If so, buy a O-ring kit from Vette Brakes and Products for about $150 and rebuild them yourself. If the calipers are original and not been sleeved, trade them in for a fresh set of sleeved calipers with O-rings. I have done about six cars and all are working well. Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Have your calipers ever been sleeved in stainless steel? If so, buy a O-ring kit from Vette Brakes and Products for about $150 and rebuild them yourself. If the calipers are original and not been sleeved, trade them in for a fresh set of sleeved calipers with O-rings. I have done about six cars and all are working well. Jerry
What kind of warranty do they have for leak free ?
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 11
From: MARSHALLVILLE OHIO
I wished I had bought a kit, ended up I spent as much or more than a kit. If I could have afforded Wildwood that's what I would have done. Just remember the rotors are riveted on the hubs, that was my rookie mistake.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Brakes
I have about 10 years of service on my 68 and over 6 years of service on my 66. The other four cars I worked on are still going strong after years of service. I don't know about a warranty as I have not had a failure. The key to getting a long lasting leak free caliper is prep. I thoroughly clean the calipers with soap and water. I use compressed air for drying. I clean all passages with pipe cleaners with denatured alcohol. I dry again with compressed air. I fill the system with new Dot 3 or 4 brake fluid. Before I mount the calipers, I use a dial indicator to measure rotor run out. I shoot for under .004. Shim if necessary.I also use speed bleeders to bleed the system. If you do this, you will have a happy and safe brake system. Good luck. Jerry
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
looks like this might be your best option... they say lifetime guaranteed delco calipers. Scroll down to the second kit.
http://www.duntovmotors.com/brakes.php
http://www.duntovmotors.com/brakes.php
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Dirty Jerzey
I'm also a rookie with this type of system, I didn't think about this. How did you deal with it, machine shop?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
If I have any problem with the front brakes on my car I may got to these
http://www.kore3.com/proddetail.php?prod=10029-02
with their brackets 10637-01, for anyone trying to find these brackets you have to call or email them to order as they are not on their website.
http://www.kore3.com/proddetail.php?prod=10029-02
with their brackets 10637-01, for anyone trying to find these brackets you have to call or email them to order as they are not on their website.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I have about 10 years of service on my 68 and over 6 years of service on my 66. The other four cars I worked on are still going strong after years of service. I don't know about a warranty as I have not had a failure. The key to getting a long lasting leak free caliper is prep. I thoroughly clean the calipers with soap and water. I use compressed air for drying. I clean all passages with pipe cleaners with denatured alcohol. I dry again with compressed air. I fill the system with new Dot 3 or 4 brake fluid. Before I mount the calipers, I use a dial indicator to measure rotor run out. I shoot for under .004. Shim if necessary.I also use speed bleeders to bleed the system. If you do this, you will have a happy and safe brake system. Good luck. Jerry
Last edited by cagotzmann; Mar 18, 2016 at 06:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Last edited by cagotzmann; Mar 18, 2016 at 07:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Dirty Jerzey
I think I arrived at my solution. I am looking at the Wilwood D8-4s with new pads and SS lines. I will keep the stock calipers. A little over my budget but I think it will give me the results I am after. The car sits a lot. The Wilwood parts seem to be the best solution for this.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 11
From: MARSHALLVILLE OHIO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I think I arrived at my solution. I am looking at the Wilwood D8-4s with new pads and SS lines. I will keep the stock calipers. A little over my budget but I think it will give me the results I am after. The car sits a lot. The Wilwood parts seem to be the best solution for this.
You may run into 1 problem with the wilwoods in the rear when it comes to bleeding the brakes. Because the rear calipers are almost horizontol you may need to remove the caliper and place them upright to bleed properly. The bleeding screw position leave a air gap in the rear.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
I used Aerospace Street/strip nickle plated brakes . Car never stopped so good. With a master cylinder and all rotors , hats , brackets , calipers , pads , bearings ect it was about 1500.00
Saved 88 pounds , and she stops like a super car
Saved 88 pounds , and she stops like a super car
