I am always looking to upgrade brakes, as well. My suggestions are:
1. Do not buy aftermarket brake caliper systems. Stick with the GM calipers. I have tried several aftermarket systems for other cars, and have found something major wrong with each. For example, some of these systems do not come with the metal water/dirt shields. When it rains, the lack of these shields often causes erratic braking performance. Some of these calipers also allow the pad to rattle around and make noise. The most frustrating thing was that they were ALL expensive, a headache to put in and didn't work any better, sometimes not as well as stock! Save your money.
2. Stay away from slotted/drilled rotors. I have asked about these ad nauseam, and NO ONE I have spoken with has actually tried them, or, if they have says they are better. Instead, everyone gives you the theory of why they should be better. Your best bet is to buy an American manufactured pair of standard rotors.
3. As to pads, I have had good luck with Hawk standard pads---if you drive your car in the real world you want the pad which stops best when an emergency situation crops up on the freeway in front of you. Many of the deluxe pads are NOT the best in this situation, as they need to be warmed up before they work well. In the real world you are not interested in the tenth hard stop but the first one. Something to beware of is a pad that is advertised for both street and track (this means that it has to be warmed up and will not do well on the street in an emergency), or that "may" give "some" noise, etc etc. This means that it will screech unmercifully.
4. As to calipers, I have had so-so luck with Vette brakes. They are o.k. but several have developed leaks. There is a company in Dallas or thereabouts called "Lonestar caliper". They are on the net, and many people swear by them. I replaced two leaking Vette Brakes calipers with them, and they feel a bit better than the Vette Brakes ever did.
The best piece of advice I can give, though, is to drive the car regularly to keep the brakes exercised and in shape and to get the brakes bled often (at least once a year), and also everytime that you disconnect the calipers from the suspension. This will keep a firm pedal.
I was at a local Corvette show this weekend and really came away liking my own car best. It's my only car, and driving a car regularly seems to keep everything in a smoothly operating condition, whereas, the trailer queen crowd has cars that look perfect but suffer from the automotive equivalent of arthritis. These brakes get better if used.
--Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas
