Camaro Performers Wilwood rear disc kit w/ Floating Caliper

[carguy502]

Ok guys (perhaps more specifically Steve Rupp),

Ever since pad knock back has become such a noticable issue on road courses among many forum members, I have been following the floating caliper upgrade that has been part of the solution for many. I thought that Wilwood had such a part/kit, but after speaking with Wilwood tech (pretty helpful, if I might say so) they said that they are not making a kit or parts like that.

If so, then where did the rear kit from this recent Camaro Performers article?

http://www.camaroperformers.com/camaro-tech/brakes/camp-1110-wilwood-big-brake-small-package-upgrade/index.html

Is this something that is sufficently new that the tech guy might not have been aware of it? It is even made by Wilwood (Rotors, parking brake & backing plate appear to be Wilwood) or perhaps a custom part? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a million,

Don

[Vegas69]

Don, I converted to the floating D52? caliper and Wilwood does not make the bracket to mount this caliper from the parking brake assembly to the caliper. It's available in the aftermarket. Unfortunately, I can't tell you who makes it. It does fix the knock back issue.

[carguy502]

Does anyone know who makes that adapter? I really don't want to spend 700 bucks on a 4 piston rear brake setup that I have to pump twice going into a corner.

[Skip Fix]

That looks like a slick adapter. You could even go cheap and use "metric" iron calipers instead of the 154s. Wilwood does have numerous piston options for them though big single or small duals. Should be a big improvement over the old factory TA ratchet D154 calipers.

[Matt@BOS]

Don, that kit is brand new. At the time that the article was written a few bugs were being worked out to ensure that the calipers had sufficient clearance for 15" wheels. If the kit isn't out now, it should be soon, I would think.

Matt

[carguy502]

Thank you, guys. I can't wait for it to come out, but I still don't know who makes it. Wilwood knew nothing about it and no other manufactures have been named...

Anyone want to claim this bit of engineering?

[Matt@BOS]

Thank you, guys. I can't wait for it to come out, but I still don't know who makes it. Wilwood knew nothing about it and no other manufactures have been named...

Anyone want to claim this bit of engineering?

It's all Wilwood stuff. If I remember right, the brackets used in the article were essentially pre-production pieces. I know Steve is busy, but hopefully he will chime in at some point. I'm just going off of what I remember D!ck at Best of Show saying. They had to re-tool a couple things, and if they're not on sale yet, it's possible not everyone at Wilwood is aware of the kit.

Matt

[carguy502]

Thanks Matt! I do hope Steve will chime in here. I could imagine this kind of kit attracting lots of attention from the folks running c-clip axles that have a bit of play to begin with...

Don

[Skip Fix]

I agree this kit could be a really big seller for alot of the GM folks from A bodies to F bodies.

[MoparCar]

Don, I converted to the floating D52? caliper and Wilwood does not make the bracket to mount this caliper from the parking brake assembly to the caliper. It's available in the aftermarket. Unfortunately, I can't tell you who makes it. It does fix the knock back issue.

Todd,
Really appreciate all the build info and knowledge, but why al the secrecy on the brackets? After all they are just metal brackets...... Liability, promises, future products?

Thanks-Wes

[davidk68]

Maybe I missed it in the article, but does anyone know what diameter the rear dics are?? I even have a hard copy and still can't find it.

David

[Vegas69]

Todd,
Really appreciate all the build info and knowledge, but why al the secrecy on the brackets? After all they are just metal brackets...... Liability, promises, future products?

Thanks-Wes

Simple, I promised the vendor I wouldn't disclose the source as they don't normally sell the bracket separate. Once I open my big mouth, they will have 20 calls a week for a bracket they don't care to sell. Wilwood knows there is a demand, they'll have it out soon enough. Larry and I are both running this setup and have been for a while.

[Skip Fix]

Heck even adding a separate bracket to the E brake setup to use other calipers would be a slick deal. So is it just their normal "in hat" E brake setup with a bracket for a floating caliper vs a Dynalite?

[MoparCar]

Simple, I promised the vendor I wouldn't disclose the source as they don't normally sell the bracket separate. Once I open my big mouth, they will have 20 calls a week for a bracket they don't care to sell. Wilwood knows there is a demand, they'll have it out soon enough. Larry and I are both running this setup and have been for a while.

Todd,
Got it! Thanks for the reply. I'll wait for Wilwood's solution.

Wes

[davidk68]

Still curious about the rotor diameter? Todd??

[Wilwood Tech]

Wilwood is in fact bringing out the kit mentioned in Camaro Performers and it will be available next week. The part numbers range from 140-12208 thru 140-12216 and 140-12235 thru 140-12236. It incorporates the D154 caliper with a 12.19" rotor. We have a prototype that has been on a 700 HP Camaro for the last eight months, which has proven to be very effective in helping to eliminate knock-back. Be safe.

[Vegas69]

Right from the gift horses mouth. Mine is also a 12.19.

[Skip Fix]

I'm assuming one for staggered shocks for us Second gens?

[Flash68]

Wilwood is in fact bringing out the kit mentioned in Camaro Performers and it will be available next week. The part numbers range from 140-12208 thru 140-12216 and 140-12235 thru 140-12236. It incorporates the D154 caliper with a 12.19" rotor. We have a prototype that has been on a 700 HP Camaro for the last eight months, which has proven to be very effective in helping to eliminate knock-back. Be safe.

This is excellent. I am sure this will be a nice little hit for the pro-touring crowd that take them to the track.

[TheBandit]

Wilwood is in fact bringing out the kit mentioned in Camaro Performers and it will be available next week. The part numbers range from 140-12208 thru 140-12216 and 140-12235 thru 140-12236. It incorporates the D154 caliper with a 12.19" rotor. We have a prototype that has been on a 700 HP Camaro for the last eight months, which has proven to be very effective in helping to eliminate knock-back. Be safe.

In the article above, the Camaro appears to have a stock rotor size up front (11"?) with a D52 caliper. Will any of the kits mentioned include something larger for the front? 12.19 in the back with 11 in the front seems backwards. I really like the idea of performance brakes with 15" wheels, not that I can't appreciate a huge pizza disc behind 18s, I just prefer the "classic" look of taller sidewalls.

*EDIT* Looked at your site and I assume you could use any of the Wilwood front kits for 15" wheels. What is recommended for a street & occasional autocross car?

[Skip Fix]

Those part numbers don't pull up on the Wilwood site.

[davidk68]

I'm also interested in this set-up. Does Wilwood have a price for the rears with 12" rotors yet??

David

[MCB Matt]

We are planning on offering a SWEET deal on these kits as they will fix MANY fixed caliper issues on c-clip axles. We are getting details worked out with Wilwood and will lock in part#'s and forum $$$ too.

Its a win - win deal for forum members, save a ton of $$$ not changing axles and save on the kit which will include free shipping!

PM if you want to get in line forma kit or more details, we are here to help!

[Vegas69]

It's not just a c clip problem. It's happening to a slough of guys with big Ford ends as well. Just to fix my post. It's a D154 caliper.

[MCB Matt]

Wow, torino ends too? How much end play?

[Vegas69]

Mine was unmeasurable when the bearings were new. They loosened up and it got worse. In my opinion, a fixed caliper doesn't belong on any application unless it's a floating axle OR a bearing pack.(Corvette Hub)

[MCB Matt]

Makes sense to me. I just picked up a 01 vette z06. Cheapie car but rides and handles well, easy to DD

Suspension is great out of the box at a bargain price, rear hubs, ect...it all makes sense.

[CTX-SLPR]

Well this certainly adds some new info to my hunt for rear calipers. Was planning on 4 piston fixed units with Ford housing ends on a 8.5in 10-bolt but if I'm going to be fighting them like this I might start looking for floating options instead.

How significant of an issue is this for a car that really doesn't drive at 9/10's often if ever?

[GrabberGT]

I've got a big ford rear end and am experiencing this problem when doing Autocross events. Double pumping the brakes just before the end is a must. I'll be upgrading to this floating caliper soon.

[Vegas69]

It's a bigger problem with large offset wheels and a mini tub. You can get away with it on the street but may experience some knockback. Unpredictable brakes drives me CRAZY. You don't need a big caliper out back. It does 25% of your braking. The D154 is a really nice/large caliper that will match a large fixed front caliper nicely. I've said it before, what's on the back of a C5, C5 Z06, and C6 Corvette? A floating caliper.... Look at 95% of your OE applications. Floating caliper.... It's only the high performance sports cars that have been ENGINEERED for a fixed caliper that sport them...... Even Mark Stielow recently adapted a Corvette hub to the back of his car.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/BackBrakes010-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/BackBrakes009-1.jpg

[MCB Matt]

I was just talking to Kim this morn. And she said Wilwood told her the kits are ready for us. Feel free to PM or Email so we can get these things on the way to those who need them!!!!

I will post in a few hours once i have talked to Wilwood to confirm, i'm not trying to sell anything that won't ship lol!!

[MCB Matt]

Even though i am NOT a fan of group purchases i am wondering how many would be interested? We could move this to the advertisers section and see if I can cut a deal with Wilwood on a 5 or 10 kit deal? I will respond here with kit info then move over to the advertisers section so we play by the rules!

[carguy502]

I'd be interested depending on price.

[MCB Matt]

Ok, good news, i am posting the details of the kit over in the advertisers section, they are avail NOW for non-stag shock cars, stag shock kits ready in about 4 weeks and we CAN do a group buy.....

[GrabberGT]

what is needed to convert a 12" dynalite setup to this floating caliper?

[MCB Matt]

The complete kit is needed. It only works with the D154 2 piston caliper and the 12.19 x .810" rotor.

If you are interested in a kit post over in the advertisers section and I can PM you pricing

Thanks

Matt

[WICKED_SS]

Hey Todd, with a set of 14" 6p set up front how dose the floating 12" look from the side? Didint know if it looked odd with this huge caliper up front and a little one in the back. I know its all looks but thought I would ask.

[CTX-SLPR]

For those of us who're still setting up a rear end, how does this compare performance wise with say the C5/6 setup with the 325mm rotors?

[Vegas69]

I don't have a side profile photo yet but it's a big caliper. The actual application is for a front caliper. It's just been adapted to work in the rear or high performance applications. I have a 18" step lip wheel so it's plenty. On a fat lip 19-20 it may look a little small.

[Skip Fix]

Original apllication for the calipers were late 70s early 80s mid size like Malibus on the front with a single piston called a "metric" caliper. Pretty common on the dirt track side. Wilwood has added dual pistons in different sizes for front or rear applications, still have single piston ones for it also.

[davidk68]

How well will the calipers match up with C5 Corvette front calipers? I'm running an adjustable proportioning valve so I can tune it - just wondering how the bias would be?

Thanks,
David

[WICKED_SS]

The pics looked like it was a good size, Im running a 18 but dont have a step lip. Im sure it would look fine in there. Are you running the 2 piston or 3?


I don't have a side profile photo yet but it's a big caliper. The actual application is for a front caliper. It's just been adapted to work in the rear or high performance applications. I have a 18" step lip wheel so it's plenty. On a fat lip 19-20 it may look a little small.

[Vegas69]

I think they have a large bore one piston design and a couple two piston designs. I have the smallest but would opt for the middle if I was you. I'm moving to a more agressive pad to get more rear brake. With a regular street pad, it won't achieve lock up with all the rear brake dialed into the car.

[MCB Matt]

Its a good size caliper, matches well with most Wilwood Fronts and if you look at cars like mentioned...C5 vette, look at the front caliper compared to back, BIG size diff. but it stops FINE.

This is the best floating rear caliper option we have seen. Its becoming very popular even over the weekend with many kits sold by us in the advertisers section, discussing a lot with customers too about it.

I still think its the ONLY option for cars that will see racing time/Autox ect...

Street driven cars can get away with fixed calipers but will every now and then feel knock back and have to pump the pads back out.

[Skip Fix]

Wilwood caliper options.

http://www.wilwood.com/calipers/CaliperList.aspx?subname=D154%20Single%20and%20Dua l%20Piston%20Floater

Factory "metric" front 2.5 piston diameter-same as the TA rear disc calipers were from 79-81.

[davidk68]

Thanks for the link Skip Fix. I looked at that before but didn't really notice the differences in pistons. So I have a couple questions. I'm running a C5 front caliper and would think I would want to match the C5 rear caliper piston size as much as possible. The C5 single piston caliper is 45 mm diameter. That's 1.77" and 2.46 square inches. The dual piston calipers available from Wilwood are 1.98 square inches and 4.12 square inches. Whick one would be better for me to run?? It sounds like Todd is suggesting the 4.12" calipers. Also, I will probably be running a Wilwood 7/8" manual MC with no power assist. Todd: thanks for your OM responses.

Matt - which 2-piston caliper(s) are included in the kit that you have in the advertisers section, 1.98 or 4.12

Thanks for your help,
David

[Vegas69]

Boy David, I didn't realize the next step was that dramatic. I'd think the proportioning valve would be enough to dial out the brake but I'm not sure.

[MCB Matt]

This new kit uses the D154 twin Piston part# 120-12211

I was told by my wilwood rep 1.19" pistons, its the only Wilwood 2 piston floating rear kit i know of? Unless there is something Wilwood left out?

[MCB Matt]

So far we are moving a fair amount of these kits, any feedback yet?

Matt

[pedro]

First auto-x of the year is sunday, but I have put a few street miles on them. I used to get a little knock back on the street, but have not noticed any with the new setup. Real test will be sunday.

Only issues I had:
Had to remove coilovers from the lower mount to get the lower caliper bolt on. ('69 Camaro with Airbar)
Carbotech AX6 pads were too thick to go over the rotor so I ened up using the supplied wilwood pads.

Great service and price from MCB!

Pete

[MCB Matt]

Great pete, sounds like it may have fixed your problem! Let us know how sunday goes. Our auto-x doesn't start until march!

Thanks again for the business
Matt

[Skip Fix]

Matt they still autoX over at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds?

[MCB Matt]

Yes they do at most shows. I plan on running my 01 Z06 vette in march dep. on weather.

They are SMALL tracks though!

[Skip Fix]

Not sure if the area is smaller but around 1980 we used to have some pretty big courses with long straights when there were alot of Prepared Vettes and the Stagnaro's CP Shelby. I used to work down the street from you at a veterinary clinic.

[68camotion]

Just when you thought they had thought of everything.

[LowFast]

I was able to get the Wilwood kit installed late last week. Really nice kit for the rear, especially for a floating caliper. The amazing thing is that this kit is made for the big bearing Ford rear and yet it bolted up to my explorer rear without modifications, like the kit was designed for it. This kit has full parking brake function and uses the 12" rotor with the two piston D154 GM caliper. It matches the fronts perfectly although they do get lost in the deep dish of my rear wheels. Over all I am thrilled with the kit and can't wait to get this thing out on the road and test out the full Wilwood package.:smoke:

Here are a few pictures of the kit installation.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/march102012001.jpg/)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/694/march102012006.jpg/)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/march102012008.jpg/)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/march102012009.jpg/)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/march102012011.jpg/)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/march102012013.jpg/)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/831/march102012016.jpg/)

[1981TA]

I read this entire thread with great interest, and Skip Fix's post really got my attention. I have a 1981 Trans Am with Wilwood Forged Dynalite brakes with 12.19 rotors on the front, and stock WS6 disc brakes on the back. I do not plan on keeping the parking brake setup. Will the Wilwood D154s fit/replace the existing stock rear calipers? or will the entire kit be required?

[Skip Fix]

Yes they should fit as they replace the cast iron front "metric" right calipers-they bolt on the brackets. Brake line placement a little different so may need some engineering. Since you can get smaller dual pistons on the Wilwood that might be a better balance with the front Wilwoods than the single piston iron I'm going to use or the single piston Wilwood.

The Metric front rotors and the stock TA rotors are thicker than the .81 in this kit, but they have calipers for 1.04

[Hugger67RSSS]

I know this thread is super old but getting ready to change out my C6 Z06 brakes because of pad knock back. I have a set of Baer 6S calipers for the front and wonder if the wilwood kit would match up size wise to work for the rear and also get me a parking brake since I don't have one now. I know they have 2 different versions of the 2 piston calipers. I'm hoping the larger 4.12 piston area version could work with my 6S front brakes. Wish I would have bought a floater when i built it but don't want to tear it all down after 1k miles and 2 autocross sessions to install a floater. Thanks for any input

[kevmurray]

I know this thread is super old but getting ready to change out my C6 Z06 brakes because of pad knock back. I have a set of Baer 6S calipers for the front and wonder if the wilwood kit would match up size wise to work for the rear and also get me a parking brake since I don't have one now. I know they have 2 different versions of the 2 piston calipers. I'm hoping the larger 4.12 piston area version could work with my 6S front brakes. Wish I would have bought a floater when i built it but don't want to tear it all down after 1k miles and 2 autocross sessions to install a floater. Thanks for any input

Aarik, start a new thread and include your rotor size and front piston area. I looked at this little floating rear caliper and it actually matches fairly closely with the fronts I was looking at. Bias ends up at about 73% front which is good for my a-body. Too bad it's so small. I tried to find your Baer piston area but couldn't see it on their website.