Hey guys, I'm looking into getting a big brake kit for my 98, but I have issues and was hoping someone could help.
I've read a ton of threads on this issue, but most were from last year and earlier, and I figured things have changed since then, so I'd ask again.
What I know... I could get the Corvette big brake kit, which has the front & rear calipers, rotors, braided hoses, pads, and brake fluid. If I purchased this kit, I would need to upgrade my front & rear rims. (I currently have chrome Z06 style rims... 17" up front and 18" in back.)
The tires are in excellant condition, and I have brand new slotted/drilled rotors installed.
I don't want to replace my current rims/tires/rotors because all are in brand new condition. (I also want to keep the parking brake installed. Some kits are extra with the parking brake...)
That being said, I need to find a big brake kit that WILL WORK with my current rims/tires/rotors, but won't brake the bank.
I saw that Wilwood makes a caliper that fits my "stock", but it seems that when you compare the pricing for the Wilwood front and rears, the cost is almost at where I would be if I purchased the Corvette kit and replaced the rims and tires.
Can anyone please offer any suggestions? I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to do this. If anyone has found something that works, with a good price, and has installed them, could you also post some pics to give me an idea how they look?
Thanks in advance!

 

There are a lot of big brake packages on the market. Are you looking
for a 6piston caliper on the front and a 4 piston caliper on the rear??
Or something alittle smaller?? Do you want the C-6 ZO-6 big brake
package only??

 

1)What is your motivation to add a Big Brake Kit?
2)Do you need more braking power?
3)Do you just want the look of a big brake kit?
4)Is there something wrong with your present brakes?
5)Are you looking for bigger rotors and calipers.

For some people " Big" means physical size. For others it means greater stopping power. Meaning a small 6 piston caliper might give you big brake stopping power but would not look bigger than what you already have and would provide a small enough foot print to keep your present wheels.
If you can provide this information we can better serve your concerns.

For example; if you are just looking for the " Look " of a Big brake kit. Then you are extremely limited by those little 17 inch wheels in the front.

 

I'm not looking for more braking power. My current brakes are fine for the amount of driving I do. I really love the look of the larger brakes.
I'm looking at the 6/4 piston calipers.
I know I'm limited with options since I want to keep my original rotors/tires/rims.
I've always loved the look of the larger calipers om the newer vets. (I have the fake "big brake' caliper covers on my car now.)
Upgrading to the big brakes gives me the look that I want to achive. (to help you understand where I'm coming from, I once had those "non functioning" rear brake duct screens on my car. I loved the look of them, but it bothered my they were not the real deal. So, this past spring, I ordered the rear brake duct kit from GM Parts Direct, sent the screens out to be painted the color of my car, and then installed them. I now have functioning rear brake ducts on my car.)
I know there are options to install the big brakes on my car, but that's a min of $5000 to do that. While I've spent more than three times as much on my car over the last few years, $5000 seems a bit high for a mod that isn't totally neccesary.

 

Ok. No problem understanding your motivation. Also understand
The need to get rid of the fake brake ducts
Now on to the problem. The best bang for the buck is the C6 Zo6. But you will need C6 Z06 18" fronts and 19" backs. You can't fit a large caliper behind a 17" wheel. To do this project right , you may haveoto do it in stages.
1) buy the correct size wheels and tires with new sensors already mounted and balanced.
2) Sell your already mounted balanced and sensor set up here on the forum. Should be an easy sale. Once sold use that money toward the C6 Z06 package from GM parts house

 

I found a set of 18" x 9.5 & 19" x 11 rims that match my 17" & 18" I currently have. What are we talking about in tire size? (West Coast Corvette spec'd out 275/35-18 and 305/30-19. I called two tire places around by me and no one carries the 305/30-19.)

 

You should be fine with 315x30 if you can find those. What brand/model tire are you looking at?

 

I am running Michelin Pilot Super Sports in the sizes you mentioned. I know Hankook Ventus's come in theat size as well. Tires Plus and Discount Tires had them available.

 

You may want to look at a package deal: Tires, wheels, mounting , shipping and sensors, from places like CCW. or a package from one of the other tire vendors here. I know CCW will offer you different tires to accomplish your mission. The Hankooks are very popular.