Brake Calipers paint or get new?

**Sadie2** · 03-18-2014, 12:04 PM

So as of now I dont have the huge itch to dump tons of money into my car yet. However I do want to spend a little money on the small things that can really make a car stand out. I have drilled and slotted rotors ( look great) but just stock calipers ( looks not great) im debating whether i should just give them some TLC and paint and refurbish them or maybe spend a couple bucks on some newer ones.

So heres my question for all you, what calipers would you prefer that dont cost 700+ dollars and have a million pistons ( i dont drive that hard). would you choose for your car if your just in it for looks at this moment. ( maybe later on when im in it for speed ill no question spring for the million piston brakes

**theorangeguy** · 03-18-2014, 12:36 PM

if you are just in it for looks and dont need any performance out of it, I would just paint them...if you want to do something really cool I would do the CTSV brake conversion. Its only for the front 2 wheels but its worth every penny.

**Sadie2** · 03-18-2014, 12:53 PM

I'll look into that thank you

**pajeff02** · 03-18-2014, 03:11 PM

I kept the stock calipers on our car, but painted them. Swapping for some R1 Concepts rotors, Hawk pads and installing stainless braided hoses fixed our braking woes.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 03-18-2014, 07:32 PM

If you want to know about the CTS-V brake swap I have done it so feel free to ask questions. I personally would do the CTS-V brake swap but I am biased.

Here's some eye candy:

**pajeff02** · 03-19-2014, 02:14 AM

That looks nice, but no way they would clear my track wheels. I take it the spacer on the hub is required with the shallower rotor hat? Or is that simply to adjust the bolt pattern?

**98TransAmWs-6** · 03-19-2014, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

That looks nice, but no way they would clear my track wheels. I take it the spacer on the hub is required with the shallower rotor hat? Or is that simply to adjust the bolt pattern?

The spacer was because the wheel spokes came in too far and rubbed against the caliper but I have a smaller one I am going to try with my 17s since I discovered that they fit with pretty much no modification. I know Weld 17" RTS wheels fit with no modification if you get the right offset and pad height but those are pricey. I have R1concepts stuff to put on with it as well once I get the 17s fitted to it.

**Sadie2** · 03-19-2014, 10:52 AM

will this clear the stock alloy wheels? idk what it is about those stock wheels but i love the way it looks and wanna keep them on

**98TransAmWs-6** · 03-19-2014, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Sadie2

will this clear the stock alloy wheels? idk what it is about those stock wheels but i love the way it looks and wanna keep them on

Mine fit definitely with a spacer but it is real close so I am going to grind them a tad just to have a little more clearance. I haven't tried stock wheels without a spacer though but due to the offset I don't think they'll fit without a 15mm spacer.

**0rion** · 03-19-2014, 04:18 PM

if you wanted something in between you could always have the calipers powder coated. That will last much longer than paint although I did brush on paint last time and it's held up awesome compared to the first time I did them with hi temp rattle can paint. I painted them in 06 and they still look like new.

**cammed goat** · 03-19-2014, 07:03 PM

I agree on painting the calipers. Might be doing that this spring.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-20-2014, 02:58 PM

Just a question for some of you - are the calipers on a regular Camaro/TransAm/Firebird bare metal? The calipers on my 35th LE came powder-coated from the factory. They are gray.

**Sadie2** · 03-20-2014, 03:15 PM

Trans am ws6 and they are bare metal

**pajeff02** · 03-20-2014, 03:56 PM

Mine were bare aluminum.

**0rion** · 03-20-2014, 04:11 PM

yep...bare. I actually polished mine before I painted them the first time. There was just some areas like the back of them that would've been a shit ton of work to get to a mirror finish so I just went ahead and painted them.

**4get gto** · 03-25-2014, 03:49 PM

I got the nuts sucked right off of me on TECH with these.....hhttp://www.calipercovers.com/_e/1998_2002_Chevrolet_Camaro/product/14027-S-CUS/1998_2002_Chevrolet_Camaro_Firebird_Pontiac_Trans_ am_Custom_Caliper_Covers I have them .......