Volvo RWD 120-130 Forum

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Wilwood Brakes Installed 120-130

Let's see, where did I put those reciepts. Yes, now I remember - I ate them. All kidding aside, the cost was as follows.

Rotors $30 each, hats were $85, Calipers were $165, Brake pads $100, new bolts saftey wire and hat bolt kit $40, New studs $20, brake lines (hard) $20. So that's around $740 for the parts minus the cost of the brake adapters ($125) and a set of spacers from Dale. So not including the price of the wheels (around $1000 from Discount Tire) that's just the other side of $1000 for the brakes.

This is around the same price that most people are quoting for the brake upgrade kits you'll find on line for other older cars. Also note, these are Forged Superlite calipers, not the Dynalites that are sold in other kits. Larger pad, and no cotter pin holding the pads in place - the FSL's use a proper bolt. It is also possible to go up to the larger 6 pot caliper with this adapter or go up in size for the rotor with a few changes to the adapter (move the mounting holes out a little). I doubt anyone will want that much front brake, but you never know.

I worked with Wilwood's engineering team to get the correct brake balance without the use of a propotioning valve. They were very helpful and when given all of the details about the 122 were able to perform the calculations quickly. I've not drivin the car yet (see photos - it lacks an engine), but will report back when I'm rolling. Dale has much the same style of set up in his car (accomplished with all custom parts...you don't want to know what that cost) and his car stops on a dime and gives you a nickel change - no reason mine wont as well.

Just on the cost of the rotors alone this is worth doing...Volvo ones are hard to find and are around $225. Wilwoods are between $30 and $80 (now that I remember, mine were the $80 variety) and a new set of pads costs between $40 and $100 depending on compound. Rebuild kits for the caliper are $16 per side. So a complete front brake rebuild would be $60 for rotors, $100 for pads, and $32 for caliper rebuild - less than the cost of a single rotor.

The thing not factored in is time. Working out the adapter took half a day or so, the painting was an evening, putting the rest of the parts together took some time, and getting it all installed for the last time took an hour...now I have to pull them and bleed them straight up - so another hour gone. Doing things for the first time means there isn't a manual.

I'd rate this swap about a 2/5 - if you can change a brake caliper - this swap is in your wheel house. If you paint everything and have to worry about chipping paint or getting brake fluid on anything...the rating goes up.






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New 1 Wilwood Brakes Installed [120-130]
posted by  122_Canadian  on Sun Sep 28 14:21 CST 2008 >


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