Light weight front brake kits

[boostedLC2]

Anyone have experience with the light weight front brake kits out there for the G cars (i.e. Wilwood, Strange, or Aerospace)? How difficult was the install and how do they perform on a car that is mainly used at the track but once in a while on the street? How much weight did it save?

Thanks for any feedback.

Jim

 

[Turbo6inKY]

I have the Wilwood kit. I didn't measure the weight savings with a scale, but I can attest that the box the brake kit came in was very easy to pick up. I put all the stock parts that came off into the same box, and I can barely scoot it accross a smooth concrete floor, let along pick it up.

As for stopping power, I can easily take the first return turn-off at the track. With the stockers, I was taking the last one every time.

They also survived a very rough weekend in the mountains of North Carolina/Wester Tennessee.

Pics (BIG)
http://www.andrewdscott.com/mig/albums/Car_Pictures/Buick/011_15.jpg
http://www.andrewdscott.com/mig/albums/Car_Pictures/Buick/024_2.jpg

 

[boostedLC2]

Thanks for replying Turbo6.

Do you modify the spindles (cutting off the caliper ears and retapping the holes) on the car or did you take them off and have a machinist do it? I'm trying to understand how precise the modifications need to be.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Turbo6inKY]

Cut 'em off with a cutting wheel, and groun the sharp edges off.

They don't need to be ultra-precise. Enlarging and countersinking the mounting holes for the caliper mount plate was actually more tricky.

You'll have to take the spindles off the car to do it, regardless.

Take the opportunity to replace your ball joints. My car only had 28,000 miles on it when I did the brakes, and the front ball joints were already shot.