Yeah, but it seems that one thing you don't want to compromise on is brakes. About $600 for a pair of NEW and improved calipers from a reputable manufacturer hardly requires a rich man's bank account to afford. I'm in the process of a full frame off restoration on my '69 vert, but one thing I don't mess with is brakes.

My time and piece of mind is worth more than squabbling over that kind of money. Had my replacement rolling chassis not been fully rebuilt, I would have bought the entire set of Wilwood calipers and replaced all four corners. In fact, that is how I found out my frame was worse than originally thought. Passenger side front caliper blew out, and I bought that pair of Wilwoods to replace both while I was at it. When it was on jackstands, the door gaps got so wide, you couldn't even close the doors. The car looked like an accordion fully extended.

The forum is full of folks who won't think twice about dropping a couple of grand or more on engine, transmission, or suspension upgrades, but scoff at a few hundred dollars on brakes? What's up with that? I understand each person has their priorities, but brakes really should be at or near the top of everyone's list.

Buying rebuilt brakes or rebuilding them yourself is like stepping over a quarter to save a dime. For a little more, you get piece of mind without having to worry about how this reman sux, but that other one should be better, etc etc. Small price to pay for said piece of mind. Just my opinion.

 

Cutting corners on safety to save $1 on a high end car like a Corvette shouldn't even appear in the same sentence !!

 

I agree, everyone knows that the highest quality piston paints are only used. Absolute highest resistance to brake fluid known to man. They infact painted the Columbia Space shuttle heat tiles with it...

 

Way to completely skirt a logical rebuttal that makes good sense, fellas. C'mon, you guys generally offer up great input, so I'm a bit shocked at the sarcasm on such an important topic.

I don't think there is anything funny about minimizing the fact that brakes should be one thing you don't compromise on, period - Especially, since it's a relatively cheap replacement for quality parts. I suppose the reason being is that you have no response other than sarcasm, because you understand that what I wrote DOES make good sense, of to which there can be no logical rebuttal to the contrary.

I'll quote one of my favorite lines from Jaws:

Hooper: Quint, that doesn't prove a damn thing!
Quint: Well it proves one thing Mr. Hooper. It proves that you wealthy college boys don't have the education enough to admit when you're wrong.

 

Okay. Non-sarcastic mode engaged.

If you have the calipers apart, SS sleeved, clean smooth bores, an in good shape, you'd be a fool not to buy a high-heat CSSB Inc o-ring kit and rebuild them yourself.

The Wilwoods look nice, but don't shorten stopping distance on the street. Their big advantages are they are much lighter, heat tolerant, new and well made, and come in red.

If you are going to move to 18" wheels and big brakes someday anyway, money spent on stock replacement Wilwoods is WASTED.