FC 4 piston calipers, big enough?
06-20-10, 06:52 AM
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Radioactive Rotary Rocket
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FC 4 piston calipers, big enough?
I'm trying to upgrade the front brakes on my '06 GTI. They are single piston with 312mm rotors. I have some 4 piston FC calipers sitting in a box and I was thinking about fabbing up a bracket to mount these. Does anyone know the size of the pistons? I'm trying to decide if it's going to be enough braking power. This car is very heavy (3,100 lbs) and it's all in the front too. So it's definitely going to take a lot more to stop this car than the RX7. The brakes are fantastic for the 7, but do you guys think it would be enough for the GTI? It seems like anything would be an upgrade from the stock single piston calipers, but I know there is math involved for surface area and all that. Hopefully someone here is one of those smart math guys.
06-21-10, 12:26 AM
#2
GGGRRRRRR. I wish you had posted this when i had them sitting in a box in my room. Would have been able to help ya out! I'd estimate 50 cent piece sized.
Pads and ss lines are a good thing to couple these with i think.
Off the shelf oe pads suck imo. Hawk, ebc, project mu....etc.....
Pads and ss lines are a good thing to couple these with i think.
Off the shelf oe pads suck imo. Hawk, ebc, project mu....etc.....
06-21-10, 03:19 AM
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Radioactive Rotary Rocket
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Did the math and got my answer. The 4 piston calipers would actually be a downgrade. Even though they are 4 pistons the total surface area is less and so the clamping force is less. It may be more evenly distributed which would be an advantage, but still the math doesn't lie. I guess it only makes sense though. A MKV GTI has probably twice the weight on the front tires so even though these brakes work great for an FC, they just aren't practical for this car.
06-21-10, 06:06 PM
#4
get better brake pads.
larger/smaller piston area by itself doesnt really mean anything. you can achieve the same effect as larger pistons with a smaller master. either way, the pedal will just be softer (easier to push, but sinks lower). you dont gain any actual braking ability, unless your leg is too weak to hit ABS.
the benefit of multi piston calipers is heat dissipation (better distribution of force on teh pad = better heat distribution, no hot spot in the middle)
larger/smaller piston area by itself doesnt really mean anything. you can achieve the same effect as larger pistons with a smaller master. either way, the pedal will just be softer (easier to push, but sinks lower). you dont gain any actual braking ability, unless your leg is too weak to hit ABS.
the benefit of multi piston calipers is heat dissipation (better distribution of force on teh pad = better heat distribution, no hot spot in the middle)
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