C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Front caliper piston area: How big?

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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 06:34 PM
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Default Front caliper piston area: How big?

Looking for the piston size or total piston area (per caliper) for the front brakes used with the 13" rotors.

thanks,
Mike
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 03:33 AM
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I will measure the diameter of a piston and report back tomorrow. It just so happens that I am rebuilding my calipers.
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 12:00 PM
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Pistons are 1.5" dia.; 2*((3.14*(1.5)*(1.5))/4)=3.53 sq in per caliper
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Sidney004
Pistons are 1.5" dia.; 2*((3.14*(1.5)*(1.5))/4)=3.53 sq in per caliper
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. I was guessing it was more area than that, so it looks like I'll have to re-think my brake plans here.

thanks again,
Mike
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 10:59 PM
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Don't forget the PBR-type sliding calipers use BOTH ends of the piston bore to apply grip. Thus the effective piston area - in terms of hydraulic pressure - is double the face area calculated above. HTH
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 01:29 AM
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Kaiser:
That is interesting. Please explain, I was not aware that the effective area was doubled; but I am by no means an expert on the PRB sliding caliper.
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 02:22 PM
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There's nothing to be an expert about. Look at the caliper - each pad is reacting one end of the piston bores, and is constrained by the rotor surface. Thus the clamping force is fluid pressure times double the two pistons' face area. To say it another way, both ends of the piston bores are free to move, so they become double-ended hydraulic cylinders. The total force is the same as if it were a 4-piston fixed caliper.
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Sidney004
Pistons are 1.5" dia.; 2*((3.14*(1.5)*(1.5))/4)=3.53 sq in per caliper
You didn't happen to measure the rears while you were at it did you?

Jim
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 69427
so it looks like I'll have to re-think my brake plans here.
What are you brake plans?
Sounds interesting.
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by kaiser
Don't forget the PBR-type sliding calipers use BOTH ends of the piston bore to apply grip. Thus the effective piston area - in terms of hydraulic pressure - is double the face area calculated above. HTH
Thank you for this very important point. I'm so used to dealing with fixed (four piston) calipers that I didn't think this through completely. Very useful point.

My appreciation,
Mike
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bill mcdonald
What are you brake plans?
Sounds interesting.
I'm working on a hybrid suspension combination. I'm putting a C4 F&R suspension on my spare C3 frame, but continuing to use the stock 15" aluminum wheels (I like the looks of my '69, just not the suspension geometry). I have a set of Wilwood four piston fixed calipers on the back, and am trying to find a rotor/caliper combo in the front that will work well, and still fit under the 15" wheels. The rear was fairly easy, although labor intensive, but the fronts are giving me headaches. There's just not as much room in the front wheel area due to the steering arm (tie rod area) placement. I've got most everything in this conversion either welded in, or calculated for fit. The front brakes are the only holdup at the moment.
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