2 cyl or 4 cyl opposing brakes piston calipers ?

[Sportymonk]

Was watching Trucks on Spike TV today (first day off in a loonnngg time and was lazy) and they were modifying a Chevy Tahoe with larger tires and wheels. They said they wanted larger brakes to handle to increased wheel and tires.

They installed brake calipers with four pistons two on each side. Don't think the Pilot needs that but wonder if calipers with two pistons on opposite sides would (1) provide better braking - not the Pilot's strongest point; and (2) eliminate the warping rotors that seem to be so prevalent. Know that calipers with opposing pistons provide a more even braking on both sides where single piston systems don't.

They also installed larger rotors.

How would larger rotors affect the ABS and other systems?

Seemed like an interesting idea. Don't know what costs would be. What do you folks think?

[N_Jay]

Opposing pistons (2 or 4) do not necessarily produce more breaking force, nor more even braking or wear.

They allow the use of a fixed caliper rather than an floating caliper.

[xGS]

Originally posted by Sportymonk
Was watching Trucks on Spike TV today (first day off in a loonnngg time and was lazy) and they were modifying a Chevy Tahoe with larger tires and wheels. They said they wanted larger brakes to handle to increased wheel and tires.

[snip]

How would larger rotors affect the ABS and other systems?

Seemed like an interesting idea. Don't know what costs would be. What do you folks think?

[http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakekits.shtml]

Also, the first step in a brake upgrade should be a tire upgrade because you need to optimize the grip of the tires on the road.

[http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...lections.shtml]

[Sportymonk]

Originally posted by xGS


[http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakekits.shtml]

Also, the first step in a brake upgrade should be a tire upgrade because you need to optimize the grip of the tires on the road.

[http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...lections.shtml]

Thanks for thee references. Didn't realize that larger brakes impact the systems the way they do. Think I will leave well enough alone. Curiosity satisfied. Thanks folks.

[ctobio]

Originally posted by N_Jay
Opposing pistons (2 or 4) do not necessarily produce more breaking force, nor more even braking or wear.

They allow the use of a fixed caliper rather than an floating caliper.

Most high performance applications I've seen use a fixed caliper rather than a floating caliper. The main disadvantage I see with fixed calipers is the manufacturing cost- the calipers themselves are somewhat more complex.

As an academic discussion, I find fixed calipers an overall better design than floating calipers. I personally believe them to be more consistent insofar as you're less likely to have a caliper "stick" and apply greater force on the inboard over the outboard caliper. In short I think they work "better" and are more foolproof.

Early brake calipers were generally fixed- my '73 VW has fixed calipers- the design was essentially unchanged from the '67 model when the disc brakes were introduced. ('72s and up got bigger brakes in the front, but essentially the same design)

[jimmyhauser]

I think the reason to go with larger brakes is obvious in this picture