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ResIpsa · 06-13-2013, 07:47 AM

This is a repost, but I think it is relevant. I was answering a question about mounting front base brakes on the rear.

Here is a dirty secret on Big Brake Kits. They don’t create more braking force than a normal/stock caliper. I doesn’t matter if you have 4, 6, 12, or 64 pistons per calipers.

Now to get a little technical. The force that a caliper exerts is purely based on the total surface area of the piston (or pistons). You can have one large piston or 6 small ones (take a look at the size of the pistons on a six piston caliper compared to your single or double piston stockers) if they total up to the same amount of surface area they will exert the exact same force.

Sorry guys, a Brembo or Stop Tech sticker does not increase braking force.

Now let’s talk about brake bias. The front brakes are handling a disproportionate amount of the force in slowing a car down. This is because the car is generally moving forward (transferring weight), has more weight in the front (i.e. the engine), and the suspension is pushing the front wheels down and lifting the rear wheels under braking. The manufacturers know this and this is why every vehicle on the road has disproportionate brakes (i.e. piston surface area) front to rear.

Wow, this really is a long winded answer… But I digress. What is the harm in mounting the front brakes (i.e. more piston surface area) on the rear? Well, on a normal vehicle when you exceed the available traction under braking (pretend we don’t have ABS) your front wheels lock (now you lose steering because you have no available traction) and your car follows the path of the unlocked rear tires and slides forward in a predictable straight line. Hopefully into a gravel pit and not a tree.

Let’s change that scenario. This time you exceed the available traction to your rear tires under hard braking. All your weight and momentum is still moving forward but with your front tires (still having available traction) acting as a pivot point causing your car to spin uncontrollably.

Here is the second dirty secret on Big Brake Kits. The ones that actually shorten braking distance exert LESS braking force than the stock brakes! I may explain that later…

06-13-2013, 07:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
ResIpsa Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 564 Drives: 09 RACING HEN Rep Power: 338	This is a repost, but I think it is relevant. I was answering a question about mounting front base brakes on the rear. Here is a dirty secret on Big Brake Kits. They don’t create more braking force than a normal/stock caliper. I doesn’t matter if you have 4, 6, 12, or 64 pistons per calipers. Now to get a little technical. The force that a caliper exerts is purely based on the total surface area of the piston (or pistons). You can have one large piston or 6 small ones (take a look at the size of the pistons on a six piston caliper compared to your single or double piston stockers) if they total up to the same amount of surface area they will exert the exact same force. Sorry guys, a Brembo or Stop Tech sticker does not increase braking force. Now let’s talk about brake bias. The front brakes are handling a disproportionate amount of the force in slowing a car down. This is because the car is generally moving forward (transferring weight), has more weight in the front (i.e. the engine), and the suspension is pushing the front wheels down and lifting the rear wheels under braking. The manufacturers know this and this is why every vehicle on the road has disproportionate brakes (i.e. piston surface area) front to rear. Wow, this really is a long winded answer… But I digress. What is the harm in mounting the front brakes (i.e. more piston surface area) on the rear? Well, on a normal vehicle when you exceed the available traction under braking (pretend we don’t have ABS) your front wheels lock (now you lose steering because you have no available traction) and your car follows the path of the unlocked rear tires and slides forward in a predictable straight line. Hopefully into a gravel pit and not a tree. Let’s change that scenario. This time you exceed the available traction to your rear tires under hard braking. All your weight and momentum is still moving forward but with your front tires (still having available traction) acting as a pivot point causing your car to spin uncontrollably. Here is the second dirty secret on Big Brake Kits. The ones that actually shorten braking distance exert LESS braking force than the stock brakes! I may explain that later… __________________ The Reed Law Firm; Michael Fasano VA Attorney and Counselor at Law: A Virginia Traffic, Criminal, and Family Lawyer.https://reedlawva.com/