Brakes- Number of pistons ?

[Dirty Harry]

Just for info... this month's edition of Kit Car Builder magazine has an article discussing brake choices. Size, # of pistons, pad selection, differences in brake fluid...all are discussed. Not an exhaustive detailed explanation, but a pretty good overview. Swept area is well explained, as is master cylinder diameter choice, machining to the rotors, pedal geometry, etc.

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

Just for info... this month's edition of Kit Car Builder magazine has an article discussing brake choices. Size, # of pistons, pad selection, differences in brake fluid...all are discussed. Not an exhaustive detailed explanation, but a pretty good overview. Swept area is well explained, as is master cylinder diameter choice, machining to the rotors, pedal geometry, etc.

Hey Dirty- I will see if our locl Barns & Nobile has this issue. I just suscribed but I won't receive that issue.

Tommy- "safety and convenience above maximum performance and cost. In other words, you'd rather not be buying and installing expensive light-weight rotors on a regular basis".

Exactly.

Jason- looks very tight. What do you mean by, "IMO, for the money, there are brake packages than the the SSBC deal".

You mean like lower cost of other company's ?

When I speak with SSBC again, I'll let him know your rotor size and 6 caliper.

Thanks for the photo.

[Jerry Clayton]

Altho heavy rotors are more difficult to accelerate and decelerate---the quickest way around a track (TIME---TIC<TIC<TIC) or being able to set up a pass is the ability to OUTBRAKE others at some corners that can be approached at a high rate of speed----over the years the biggest increases in performance has come from brakes----------now while your discussing rotor weight, don't forget the flywheel-----------rotates 4-5 times higher rpm and also has to do it on every up/down shift---------

[D-CEL]

The advantage of multi piston brakes is the ability to control pad taper. You tailor the clamping force with piston diameter.

Contrary to popular belief, Yes, a 6 piston caliper and larger rotor can be packaged to fit inside our common 15” wheels.




This is a Wilwood SL6R on a 12.75X1.25 Rotor inside a front Trigo.
So long as you keep the rotor near the spindle, there is no problem with clearance.
However I will say, for all but the extreme high speed open track cars, few need parts this big. Ultimately, you would want the smallest, lightest system the can repeatedly stop the car from its highest speed, without fade. Obviously, a 300 hp street car that sees a little open track time, has a much smaller requirement than 3170.

Imo a 4 piston caliper and 12”x.810 rotor would be more than enough to deliver all the braking performance you could want with less weight and at a lower cost. Just get your pedal ratio and M/C bore size correct and you’ll be happy.


IMO, for the money, there are better brake packages than the the SSBC deal.

JASON

[undy]

I've got the 12.19" 4 piston Wilwoods on the front of my Lone Star and the 1" or 3/4" MCs just didn't stop the car adequately. I ended up with the 5/8" MC. It stops like it should now and the additional pedal travel was minimal. I installed the 3/4" MC in the rear for it's Exploder 11" rear discs/calipers. Adjusting the balance beam got everything working well together.

[D-CEL]

Sorry! Better brake packages for the money. I have been a Wilwood fan, employee and now supporter for over 20 years (my stock car days).
So they are always my first choice. Mainly because of the price point, they offer high end performance at a lower cost. Replacement parts are far less expensive. Brembo, AP, Bear, etc. all make a gresat part, they are just more expensive.
I have a little experience with the SSBC line (the sliding calipers) and it wasnt great. so i carry a little bias.
However if SSBC is taking care of you, no reason not to try them out.

Jason