im rebuilding my calipers (cleaned them and painted tonight)

i bought the o-ring kit from vette brakes..

I am trying to decide whether I want to use the springs or not....

so im soliciting opinions.. leave the pads in light contact with the rotors ?? or not ??

I'm not basing this on any great knowledge of braking systems but I'd say for a daily driver use the springs. For a racer I'd say leave them out.

Seems to me that a racer would want some non-contact time to allow things to cool down a little more when the foot isn't on the pedal.

Use the springs. Without them the o-ring seals won't hold the caliper pistons in place. With repeated braking this is not a problem. But a good high way cruise, or bumpy road, and the pistions can walk back into the calipers. Then the first time you hit the brakes the pedal goes down too far, perhaps all the way to the floor. A quick pump or two returns them to normal. In a quick stop on the highway, you may not have time for the quick pump.

This is not a problem is racing. The brakes are used frequently enough that they don't walk in.