Wilwood Question: 120-8001-RS applications

[gordonr1973]

Hi guys,

quick question on a set of 6 piston callipers I picked up.

The boxes that they came in say that they are for race use only, is that correct?

I'm not finding too much info online, they would be on a car with a PT suspension, but would be 99.5% of the time just street driven. Thanks!

[gordonr1973]

Will load pics tonight

[-SS454-]

That's their narrow Superlite caliper. Keep in mind it is a radial mount. I'm quite sure you can buy street kits with that caliper, but in any case I would have no problems running that on the street. I don't see that as a "race only" piece at all. Also note that those calipers have a rather small piston area of 4.04 sq in, so their stopping performance may be a bit of a let down with anything but some 13-14" discs.

[dontlifttoshift]

All of their calipers ship with that note.

[79-TA]

Some people think the "race only" notes are cool, but it's just the easy way out for the manufacturer to avoid any kind of liability if the car has a problem on the street. Does this particular caliper have dust boots? If not, then there is a bit of practical warning to the label.

[iadr]

Some people think the "race only" notes are cool, but it's just the easy way out for the manufacturer to avoid any kind of liability if the car has a problem on the street. Does this particular caliper have dust boots? If not, then there is a bit of practical warning to the label.

Actually it's a DOT "thing" that calipers have to have dust boots to be sold as street. Wilwood do make some "street" calipers.

I'm not personally sold on the fact dustboots do any good. In salted road conditions combined with high pressure washing, locally, I have to wonder if they don't keep moisture and chlorides (sodium, calcium, others) in at the outsides of the pistons...

[79-TA]

Actually it's a DOT "thing" that calipers have to have dust boots to be sold as street. Wilwood do make some "street" calipers.

I'm not personally sold on the fact dust boots do any good. In salted road conditions combined with high pressure washing, locally, I have to wonder if they don't keep moisture and chlorides (sodium, calcium, others) in at the outsides of the pistons...


What regulation do aftermarket brake kits fall under that prevents the exclusion dust boots for use on US roads?

[dontlifttoshift]

Yep, the DOT thing was marketing from a company that had dust boots on their calipers.