Topic: Caliper rebuild suggestions
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
Hey all, I am looking to tackle my calipers next. What's the general consensus on this one, buy the O-ring rebuild kit or just get 4 new ones and be done with it? VB&P had a complete kit that looked ok. I haven't taken the pistons out yet so I don't know what kind of shape they are in. I know knothing about corvette calipers so I'm a little cautious about the rebuild.
Thanks!
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well, if the piston bores in the calipers are not excessively pitted/rusted, I would go with new pistons and the o-ring set-up. IF they are pitted to where a hone won't clean them up, then I'd have to go with stainless sleeved rebuilts.
Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Real easy to rebuild. Just did mine. Got the O ring kit from VB&P. Purchased a hone and was easy to do. Also installed new brakes pads. Would be a good winter project!
Also was a good time to clean and "detail" the wheel wells, frame, etc. for me.
Steve, Lifetime Member #129
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
I purchased new pistons, springs and seals. They honed up well. The brake fluid had crystallized. Make sure you clean all the interconnect passages.
I must have done a good job. You can ask anyone that was at the NCM gathering. The car stopped quickly, in a straight line and generated a lot of tire smoke. Make sure things are right. Ask the 05 that was in front of me.
I also did the calibrator paint. They look good.
Good luck
Jason,
I took the lazy way and sent mine to Ken Lone Star Caliper & got correct sleeved calipers for $69 each.
Good luck,
Anthony
I screwed around and rebuilt my old ones a couple of years ago - started leaking again and so I went with the lonestar SS sleeved calipers. Went ahead and put in new SS brake lines while I was at it. I'd recommend getting the SS calipers and be done with it.
C3: 1979 Corvette Coupe, Auto, L-48, Red/Doeskin (my wife's fave);
C4s: 1986 C4 coupe (SCCA road race car), satin black, 4+3, Z51 package, L-98; & 1993 C4 coupe, white, 6-speed, LT-1.
I'm doing that right now on a '76. I took the easy way out and got the rebuilts .
Former Member
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Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
Good Input Thanks!
I haven't run the numbers yet but it's looking pretty close. The 4 O-ring caliper set from VB&P comes with pads, lines-hoses, clips and fuid for $429, awful tempting and gotta love the one stop shopping. My hoses are rotten and pads are junk so it will all depend on what my calipers look like on the inside I guess. Do you all have any preferences for pad composition, semi metalic, carbon fiber etc... noise vs perfromance vs price?
Organic is the easiest pedal pressure and are the quietest, but have a short life.
SemiMetallic are much more durable and heat resistant, and are the next cost step up, but are harder on the rotors and require more pedal pressure. They do hold up better under heat.
Ceramic holds up to heat very well, but require a bit more pedal pressure yet. They do not leave any annoying dust on the wheels. The drawback is they don't stop as well until they warm up a bit. The first few stops are a bit less responsive the later ones, or the first stop after a long run without braking. ALso hard on the rotors.
Carbon Fiber is the king of the hill. Best heat resistance, best stopping power, easier on the rotors than all but organics, best wear life. Granted, they can be a bit dirty on the wheels. These are a bit more costly than most others, but not always more than ceramics. The C6 and the UPS trucks both use carbon fiber.
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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