Anyone installed a Wilwood front brake kit?

[Bandit]

Anyone have experience installing a Wilwood front kit which requires modifying the stock spindles? The kit comes with pretty decent instructions, but the procedure has me nervous because it calls for cutting off portions of the spindle.
I am just wondering if any of you guys have done this, had success/problems in certain areas, and could give me any tips to help me with a clean install.

Also, Wilwood says to use Dot 5 fluid--will this be OK with my stock system? (I will drain all the old Dot 3 fluid of course)

Wilwood 12.19" crossdrilled/slotted
4-piston calipers
Going on 1980 Trans am

Thanks
Paul

[6'9"Witha69]

No problems with either. Just make sure ALL old brake fluid is blown out of the system. When cutting off the ears, try to cut as little as possible while still allowing the clearance you need.

[$Mike70Z-28]

no problem very easy to in stall i have that set up in my 70 camaro

[Skip Fix]

Their older 10.75"s were pretty straight forward, I think the new 12.19 should be the same, it just used a different bracket to space the caliper out for the larger rotor. Please keep us posted.

Intersting they say to use DOT5 now they used to not recommend it.

[parsonsj]

they say to use DOT5 now they used to not recommend itThey still don't recommend it as far as I can tell. I'd like to see more information about this.

jp

[BonzoHansen]

Wouldn't you have to flush the system with something (when changing dot types)?

[parsonsj]

You can mix DOT 3 and DOT 4. Wilwood's own fluid is DOT 3, and most racers use some sort of version of that. Brake fluid is changed frequently, so water buildup is not an issue with such cars.

But you can't mix DOT 5 (silicone-based) fluid with DOT 3/4. A complete flush is required to get all the old 3/4 fluid (which will continue some water) out.

jp

[JoshStratton]

That is a good idea on using the Wilwoods. I had a set of Baers for my 79 but sold them because I didnt want the dropped spindles and liked the fact the Wilwoods were about half the price because of it. Let us know how it works out.

[BonzoHansen]

JP, flush the system with what?

[parsonsj]

I'd get a power (or pressure) bleeder, and run the new fluid through that way. If you're lucky, it will be a different color so it is easy to see when you've gotten all the fluid replaced. Some high end racing fluid (DOT 3) comes in more than one color for that reason.

jp

[BonzoHansen]

Oh, so no other cleaning substance like alcohol or something.

[Bandit]

I need to make a correction...parsonsj is right, Wilwood does NOT recommend Dot 5, they recommend their high-temp 570. I misread the instructions...sorry about the confusion.

Paul

[parsonsj]

Hey Bandit,

Thanks for clarifying that. Wilwood's 570 is good stuff, but it absorbs water very quickly (it is DOT 3). It is designed to be changed often, so water absorption is a non-issue as far as Wilwood is concerned.

jp

[parsonsj]

Swapping to DOT 5 fluid is tricky, especially if you have already filled it all up with non-DOT 5. I wouldn't put alcohol in my brake lines (who knows how much water it has in it).

Maybe somebody else has an idea? But listen to Carl Casanova: DOT 5 is really only designed for show cars or cruisers, not for high performance. I wouldn't use it, and I'd put in new brake fluid at least once a year, and more often if the sees any tracks.

jp