Single Piston vrs 2 piston calipers
 

I have single piston front calipers on my '91 NA. I assume the 2 piston calipers are a better design and probably bolt-on to the existing spindle. Does anyone know if they require a larger rotor and/or different master cylinder?

Thanks!

i believe theres only single and four piston calipers on our cars

As long as it's 5 lug you can bolt on the 4piston calipers.

i think your best bet is to get used 5 lug wheel assemblys including the spindles and a used master cylinder

S5 cars with single piston calipers use the same rotors hubs etc as single piston in the front. In the front all you need to change is the caliper, in the back to go to vented rotors you need the rotor bracket and caliper.

I have 5-lug wheels w/ single piston calipers. The brakes go away quickly at open track events, so I am looking for a better system.

thanks slo, I will change my front calipers. The rears are allready vented.

I actually just did that swap. The 4 pot calipers bolt right up to the same holes, and you can re-use the single piston caliper brake lines.

I doubt that changing the calipers will help with fade. Better ways of preventing it are to use higher temp brake fluid, full race pads, and add some ducting. If it's not competetive racing you can just be a little more gentle on them too.

The advantages are bling, and caliper stiffness for better pedal feel.

Which models have the 4 piston calis and where can I find a pic of one. Because I thought both of my 7's had them. I have a 91 n/a and a 90 GXL, do either of these have them. Thanks

It's incredibly easy to tell just by looking...

To keep it simple, the 4-piston calipers are big and say MAZDA on them (plus they look like they have four pistons in side them... you can tell from the shape, with two circle shapes sort of molded together on each side).

The single piston brakes are small and only have one big circle shape, indicating the single piston.

The GXL has them the 91 coupe doesn't

I also recently changed mine on my 91 na. I think it's better to go with the 4piston hardlines as well for the front.

I really don't think it makes much difference what lines you use, as long as they're in good condition. If you've already got new 1 piston lines, then use those, if all you've got is old stock lines, then get some new 4 pot SS lines, or new stock 4 pot lines. I had just bought 1 pot SS lines when I decided to go 4 pot, so I used them, and it's fine, no leaks, no tension, no problem.

4 piston calipers
 

I use good pads & fluid and should have ducting in place before next event. I find it real hard to be gentle. All I see is red mist in front of my eyes when there are Corvettes to catch. Those 4-piston calipers look pretty good, I don't like floating or sliding calipers - especially if they only have one piston, so this looks like an easy upgrade.

Anyone know a good source for rebuilts w/o cores?

Ebay is were I got the picture from.
Type in "jdm fc brakes"

They're at $20+shipping

has anyone ever picked up a four piston in one hand and a single in the other?

huge weight difference.

I would strongly recommend rebuilding any calipers you get that are used due to the lack of knowledge about the use and age/mileage on them. Its a fairly easy thing to do, just takes some patients and the FSM and a couple special tools.

That's a good point. It's a good idea to rebuild your stock calipers even, as they're old and you probably don't know the full history on them.