Do the Wilwood D52 replacement calipers work any better than stock D52's?

[Eric B]

I just upgraded on my 72 GS. Here is my summary:

Well I had pretty much talked myself into taking the new calipers off and going back to OEM D52s due to the fact the wilwood D52s did not fit in my stock 15 inch buick ralley wheels. The wilwoods are slightly larger on the outer edge and the buick wheel is not a true 15 wheel...they use the same center as a 14 inch wheel....and bring the hoop in to match...so I would call it a 14.5 inch wheel...

I was running a stock disc setup in front and a rear disc setup from a 76 Cadillac that used d52s. All used to clear my stock wheels.

I decided to do a performance test before I pulled the wilwoods back off.

Calipers are staying on.

My 30-0 braking distance decreased by 13 feet! It was interesting because based on the seat of the pants test I did not think there was any significant improvement. I did not believe the results at first...repeated 3 times.

Wish I could have done a pre 60-0 test.....but the neighbors frown on 60mph anything and I couldn't drive the car very far before I fixed the sticky rear caliper.

In summary:
Pedal feel improved
Rear bias improved - no more rear lock up
Braking distance improved
Stock buick rally wheels don't clear wilwood d52 calipers. Fronts would clear if 3/16 wheel spacers added. Could not space the rears out enough without causing tire clearance issues.

Parts list: (all purchased through Summit)
Wilwood D52 front calipers with 2 inch pistons 164.99 X 2 - 329.98
WIllwood D52 rear calipers with 1.25 pistons 164.99 X2 - 329.98
Front drilled and slotted rotors (right stuff rotors) - 116.99
Rear drilled and slotted rotors 47.99 X 2 - 98.00
Stainless steel flex brake lines - wilwood front kit for skylark 59.99, summit kit for camaro used for rear 49.95 - 110.00
985.00 total + shipping.....call it a 1000.00 upgrade just for the brakes hardware.

before the upgrade the brakes system was marginal...so your results may vary

I had some wheels off another project car i can use for now. if i buy new Wheels they are probably gonna cost another 1200.00 by the time I have the tires mounted and balanced.
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Happy and relieved to find the 1980 trans am drilled and slotted rotors were the same size as the caddy ones I had on there. They are going to work nicely on the rear set discs.

[Skip Fix]

Are those the D52 or D154 rears? E brake or just caliper no ebrake setup.

[Eric B]

Are those the D52 or D154 rears? E brake or just caliper no ebrake setup.

D52 rears with 1.25 pistons in rear.....no e brake. Planning to install a line lock to use as e brake.

[woody80z28]

D52 rears with 1.25 pistons in rear.....no e brake. Planning to install a line lock to use as e brake.

You will need a constant power to the line lock solenoid to use it as an ebrake. I'm not sure how much it draws, but it could kill the battery fairly quickly.

[MCB Matt]

You will need a constant power to the line lock solenoid to use it as an ebrake. I'm not sure how much it draws, but it could kill the battery fairly quickly.

I was just going to say the same thing!

[Eric B]

Ya, we will have to see how long the battery lasts with the line lock. I don't ever use a e brake for long periods anyway...and if it does not work as a e brake I still have the line lock which is nice anyway....so no big deal.

[Zee]

You will need a constant power to the line lock solenoid to use it as an ebrake. I'm not sure how much it draws, but it could kill the battery fairly quickly.

Follow this link and go about half way down the page for a possible solution (hydraulic line lock): http://www.arizonazcar.com/brake.html

[Nicks67GTO]

Its too bad Wilwood dosent make the eldorado style rear caliper with the mechanical rear parking brake. It would be a nice upgrade for a very common swap. My right stuff eldorado style rear parking brake works great.

[Skip Fix]

Wilwood does use the same mounting sized D154 rear caliper (in single and multipiston) as the Eldo/TA 2.5" piston on some kits that have a better integral E brake. Since it is a floating caliper it is a little better about not having pad knockback in hard corners.

[Jody SS]

That would require a recommended 16" wheel.

[MCB Matt]

The integral drum style Ebrake is a much better unit. They bite much harder and most all OEM's use them now as well.

[Skip Fix]

Not sure the new rear Wilwoods require a 16", Matt might could say.

[MCB Matt]

Not sure the new rear Wilwoods require a 16", Matt might could say.

Skip, you are correct, 16" min wheel size, we do offer the Dynapro Low-Profile 4 piston caliper kit with 11" rotors that will clear a 15" wheel and it has integral drum Ebrake! Great choice in a 15" wheel!

Take a look
Matt

[Nothingface5384]

I just upgraded on my 72 GS. Here is my summary:

Well I had pretty much talked myself into taking the new calipers off and going back to OEM D52s due to the fact the wilwood D52s did not fit in my stock 15 inch buick ralley wheels. The wilwoods are slightly larger on the outer edge and the buick wheel is not a true 15 wheel...they use the same center as a 14 inch wheel....and bring the hoop in to match...so I would call it a 14.5 inch wheel...

I was running a stock disc setup in front and a rear disc setup from a 76 Cadillac that used d52s. All used to clear my stock wheels.

I decided to do a performance test before I pulled the wilwoods back off.

Calipers are staying on.

My 30-0 braking distance decreased by 13 feet! It was interesting because based on the seat of the pants test I did not think there was any significant improvement. I did not believe the results at first...repeated 3 times.

Wish I could have done a pre 60-0 test.....but the neighbors frown on 60mph anything and I couldn't drive the car very far before I fixed the sticky rear caliper.

In summary:
Pedal feel improved
Rear bias improved - no more rear lock up
Braking distance improved
Stock buick rally wheels don't clear wilwood d52 calipers. Fronts would clear if 3/16 wheel spacers added. Could not space the rears out enough without causing tire clearance issues.

Parts list: (all purchased through Summit)
Wilwood D52 front calipers with 2 inch pistons 164.99 X 2 - 329.98
WIllwood D52 rear calipers with 1.25 pistons 164.99 X2 - 329.98
Front drilled and slotted rotors (right stuff rotors) - 116.99
Rear drilled and slotted rotors 47.99 X 2 - 98.00
Stainless steel flex brake lines - wilwood front kit for skylark 59.99, summit kit for camaro used for rear 49.95 - 110.00
985.00 total + shipping.....call it a 1000.00 upgrade just for the brakes hardware.

before the upgrade the brakes system was marginal...so your results may vary

I had some wheels off another project car i can use for now. if i buy new Wheels they are probably gonna cost another 1200.00 by the time I have the tires mounted and balanced.
[/URL]


Happy and relieved to find the 1980 trans am drilled and slotted rotors were the same size as the caddy ones I had on there. They are going to work nicely on the rear set discs.

I have wilwood d-52 dual in front and d152 calipers in rear, they cleared my 15s(non buick ralley) and even cleared 14inch steelies front and rear, no spacers or any tricks

[MCB Matt]

Looks great and stops better! Can't go wrong there! We sell a lot of the upgrade packages like you did...but we beat summit $$$ ;)

Enjoy your new brakes!
Matt

[chocthunder]

I recently put the D52's on my 69 camaro and they work great. More braking than stock and better looking.