Question about big calipers and braking pressure.

[derekf]

Welcome aboard, 68 D88 (What's your name?).



I'm still contemplating doing a best-of-both-worlds thing... the JD7 Suburban calipers on a 13" rotor, but I'm so far away from doing brakes that I just glance at topics that relate to it.

Downsides I've heard mentioned about going that way are (at least as far as I can recall reading):

• Caliper weight = unsprung weight as Dennis mentioned
• Changing piston size changes the amount of fluid pressure/volume needed, which will affect master cylinder selection
• Master cylinder, front caliper pistons, and rear caliper pistons need to be proportional or your braking won't "feel" right.

Upsides:

• Huge piston = huge braking pressures
• Suburban calipers are what - 14$ rebuilt?
• Standard pad size = big selection
• Cast iron calipers flex less than billet aluminum

You may want to do some more research - mainly on front/rear balance and MC sizing... I haven't done enough research to be certain about anything, and some of my "facts" may be the result of a faulty memory.

Dennis, you know more than I about this, is there something fundamental that I've left out? It would seem that JD7 on 13" rotors would be a pretty cool setup.

68 D88, again, welcome aboard.