Lighter Brakes
#1
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Athens, Tn
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Lighter Brakes
In the search for lighter brakes is my best option the 1LE brakes or does aftermarket brakes offer lighter kits? I have the PBR's on the rear and i would really like to get rid of the old iron front calipers for a lighter better brakes. The car is mostly street driven. Thanks for all the help.
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: Lighter Brakes
In the search for lighter brakes is my best option the 1LE brakes or does aftermarket brakes offer lighter kits? I have the PBR's on the rear and i would really like to get rid of the old iron front calipers for a lighter better brakes. The car is mostly street driven. Thanks for all the help.
Statically lighter?
or
Rotationally lighter?
From a static weight point of view the 1LE is likely lighter than OEM. But the larger rotors kills the rotational weight advantage. If lightness is what you are going after, I would just stick with OEM.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Athens, Tn
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Lighter Brakes
If you the 1LE brakes or any other after market kits are lighter then the OEM brakes it should have the same effect moving or non moving?
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: Lighter Brakes
It is much easier to spin something (human or rotor) if the weight is in the middle. By increasing rotor size, you are moving weight further away from the center of the hub. This concept is called moment of inertia.
I made sure to keep this period correct,
#5
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Athens, Tn
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Lighter Brakes
So your saying jus because the total weight is lighter, moving weight is more due to bigger rotor? Weight reduction cant be found in brakes if i move up in rotor size? I was jus trying to lighten up the nose of the car, since the common things have already been done or in the process of being done. I'm not trying to sacrifice brake performance over have lighter brakes, I was jus hoping to upgrade while saving a little weight if that was possible. I like the period correct theme lol.
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Double Bratville
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes
on
31 Posts
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Lighter Brakes
Light weight performance parts get expensive.
Keeping your wheels? - fitment questions, $$$ could save a lot of #
4 or 6 pot calipers? - oem takeoffs might not fit your rims, lightweight narrow FSL can get pricey
2 pc rotors w/alum hat?
alum hubs?
John gives good advice. Maybe, experimenting with different pads and Koni yellows to stay planted will satisfy you.
If you want to ditch the stockers and still fit your wheels, John can you give you a ballpark figure for an upgrade --> certain upgrades aren't worth doing so there is a bang for the buck threshold to even consider it.
Brian
#7
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: Lighter Brakes
So your saying jus because the total weight is lighter, moving weight is more due to bigger rotor? Weight reduction cant be found in brakes if i move up in rotor size? I was jus trying to lighten up the nose of the car, since the common things have already been done or in the process of being done. I'm not trying to sacrifice brake performance over have lighter brakes, I was jus hoping to upgrade while saving a little weight if that was possible. I like the period correct theme lol.
If your desire is merely to drop weight, I would stick with the OEM stuff.
If your desire is to have better brakes while adding the least amount of weight, I would look at 1LE, LS1. If you go this route, figure out what you want your pedal to feel like. Because these two kits are wildly different.
If you are a drag racer only, Wilwood and Aerospace both make brake kits with stock sized, but lighter rotors.
John
Trending Topics
#8
Re: Lighter Brakes
How about just simply removing the heavy iron Delco-morraine caliper and replace it with a bolt-on Wilwood GM/metric aluminum caliper that uses the same 154 pad? those calipers are stronger in rogidity than the iron ones AND less than half the weight @ 2.93 lbs. They use the same 1" rotor so as stated they are a direct bolt on replacement.
Thumb down on this link to Wilwoods GM/metric single floating caliper. part # 120-7197
http://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/Cali...temno=120-7197
Thumb down on this link to Wilwoods GM/metric single floating caliper. part # 120-7197
http://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/Cali...temno=120-7197
#9
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Athens, Tn
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Lighter Brakes
I don't mind spending money on something that will benefit my cars performance and my safety. I would like to keep the GTA wheels but I'm not attached to them. TEDS who is John your referring too? Also, I'm already running Koni's.The car is mainly street but doesn't pass up a track either.
#10
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Double Bratville
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes
on
31 Posts
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Lighter Brakes
87350IROC is John.
The problem with stock wheels is lack of good rubber options. Any serious option will be 17". You can barely fit the 16", then go to 17" after you recover from the expense and they'll still look good under 17's. If you go to 18's, you'll have to do all at once, plus significant additional rotational weight going that big - but it's the new fad.
My advice is to fit 13" 2 PC rotor behind 16's and go to 17's when you need new rubber. Read through John's thread on CCW wheel fitments. It will give you a basic idea
Brian
The problem with stock wheels is lack of good rubber options. Any serious option will be 17". You can barely fit the 16", then go to 17" after you recover from the expense and they'll still look good under 17's. If you go to 18's, you'll have to do all at once, plus significant additional rotational weight going that big - but it's the new fad.
My advice is to fit 13" 2 PC rotor behind 16's and go to 17's when you need new rubber. Read through John's thread on CCW wheel fitments. It will give you a basic idea
Brian
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: Lighter Brakes
Yes, I am John. Sorry I normally sign my name, forgot here. This place is more fun when people know each other. Name is a good start.
If you are set on keeping the GTA wheels, your brake options are limited. It really depends what you want. OEM brakes are functional. But IMO the pedal feel is poor. It is a personal preference. Do you like the feel of the pedal with the OEM brakes?
If you are planning to run road courses, then an upgrade will be necessary.
John
If you are set on keeping the GTA wheels, your brake options are limited. It really depends what you want. OEM brakes are functional. But IMO the pedal feel is poor. It is a personal preference. Do you like the feel of the pedal with the OEM brakes?
If you are planning to run road courses, then an upgrade will be necessary.
John
#12
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Athens, Tn
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Lighter Brakes
I apologize John for not recognizing your signature in your post. You have answered many questions for me in the past so i jus knew you by your screen name. Knowing each other names is a good thing it gives a good community feel. John i would have to agree on the pedal feel, it pretty much sucks. I'm not attached to the gta wheels and i've been looking at some light weight 17's. TEDS do you have a 13in kit in mind that is light weight? Thanks again.
Cory
Cory
#13
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Double Bratville
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes
on
31 Posts
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Lighter Brakes
Cory,
John can put together something, pm him. 2 PC 13" rotors with alum hats and your choice of calipers - 4 or 6. Wilwood forged superlites are an excellent buy. Need to modify your spindles (not difficult). Alum hubs would also shed some weight and tubular a-arms as well. You can shed some significant weight with all that performance. A quality 13" set-up will keep weight down (along with 17" wheels). And financially this is done in two stages. Look at flyenbye's website for some ideas. Ed is slow and John's kits are excellent.
The 2 PC rotor w/alum hat helps to disipate heat as well as weight.
Brian
John can put together something, pm him. 2 PC 13" rotors with alum hats and your choice of calipers - 4 or 6. Wilwood forged superlites are an excellent buy. Need to modify your spindles (not difficult). Alum hubs would also shed some weight and tubular a-arms as well. You can shed some significant weight with all that performance. A quality 13" set-up will keep weight down (along with 17" wheels). And financially this is done in two stages. Look at flyenbye's website for some ideas. Ed is slow and John's kits are excellent.
The 2 PC rotor w/alum hat helps to disipate heat as well as weight.
Brian
#14
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Double Bratville
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes
on
31 Posts
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Lighter Brakes
Here's a thread discussing the rear, but I have my part #'s listed
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...lwood-fsl.html
This one has good discussion info: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...-6-piston.html
Make sure you get curved vane rotors, too.
Attached is a Wilwood C6 Instruction Manual which I used.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...lwood-fsl.html
This one has good discussion info: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...-6-piston.html
Make sure you get curved vane rotors, too.
Attached is a Wilwood C6 Instruction Manual which I used.
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: Lighter Brakes
I apologize John for not recognizing your signature in your post. You have answered many questions for me in the past so i jus knew you by your screen name. Knowing each other names is a good thing it gives a good community feel. John i would have to agree on the pedal feel, it pretty much sucks. I'm not attached to the gta wheels and i've been looking at some light weight 17's. TEDS do you have a 13in kit in mind that is light weight? Thanks again.
Cory
Cory
As for light weight 13" brakes, I would take a look at a Wilwood FSL caliper on the 13" C4HD rotor. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can drop weight further by going with a 2pc rotor. These kits are about the same weight or lighter (with 2pc rotors) than stock but of course still have larger rotational inertia due to the extra diameter.
#16
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Athens, Tn
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Lighter Brakes
Brian, I have ordered a few things from ed but it takes to long for me to order from him. John do you sell brake kits? Brian brakes are you running? What Could you give me the weight of the FSL kit? Will they fit the gta wheels or will i need to upgrade to 17s in the process? Thanks guys.
Cory
Cory
#17
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Double Bratville
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes
on
31 Posts
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Lighter Brakes
Brian, I have ordered a few things from ed but it takes to long for me to order from him. John do you sell brake kits? Brian brakes are you running? What Could you give me the weight of the FSL kit? Will they fit the gta wheels or will i need to upgrade to 17s in the process? Thanks guys.
Cory
Cory
In any case, contact John, he's very technically accurate and might have access to the various wheels.
#18
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: Lighter Brakes
Brian, I have ordered a few things from ed but it takes to long for me to order from him. John do you sell brake kits? Brian brakes are you running? What Could you give me the weight of the FSL kit? Will they fit the gta wheels or will i need to upgrade to 17s in the process? Thanks guys.
Cory
Cory
The 13" FSL brakes are about 3lbs heavier than stock for a 1pc rotor and about the same for a 2pc rotor.
By comparison, the 1LE setup is approx 5.5lbs heavier than stock.
John
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dbrochard
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
6
09-19-2015 08:13 PM