Single Piston Brake Calipers on non-SS models? 4 piston calipers on SS

[Ken S]

I noticed in the specs, it says single piston brake calipers all around on non-SS models.

That makes me a bit concern about the pad sizes of these brakes. Small pad sizes up front means those pads can heat up quicker and fade faster. Thats a combo I wouldn't want, even in a V6, which is already 300 hp!


Now the SS gets 4 piston calipers all around, which I'm assuming also means there will be 2 pistons on each side. Thats great, it'll probably help improve the brake pedal feel too. IMO, that itself makes the SS worth getting over the other models.

[MetalDragon]

I wouldn't be too concerned. How many cars out there now have four piston brakes on them stock?

[kanys]

Originally Posted by MetalDragon

I wouldn't be too concerned. How many cars out there now have four piston brakes on them stock?

Yeah almost none do, however I think on a car with this much power and weight should at least have the OPTION to upgrade to 2-3 piston (Brembos?) on the V6. Many people will just want a better braking system and not want the SS, so GM should definately make a brake upgrade avaliable for V6's, or at least just the LT. I am not sure how big the calipers on the 2 or 3 pistol brakes are, but if they are anything like those monster 4-pistons then maybe they should make these nicer brakes an option to add on to an LT w/ RS?

[nexus6]

Didnt the 4th gen V8's have single piston calipers ?

i think the single piston for the V6 is just fine

anything else is just piston envy

[JakeRobb]

Originally Posted by nexus6

Didnt the 4th gen V8's have single piston calipers ?

Nope, duals in front.

Incidentally, even my '93 Regal has duals in front.

[kanys]

Lol piston envy, thats funny. Hehe but yeah I know singles would be fine, I just feel that 2 or 3 piston's would help reduce the ricer effect some people might see in this car, and just further prove how wrong they are. And I wouldnt say I am going to drive my V6 Camaro like batman style or anything (TDK rules btw!) but it would be nice to know I have some stopping power at my disposal to keep that 3800 pound monster under control. I know some people don't feel that way at all, but some do which is why it should be optional.

[nexus6]

I bet the aftermarket will have a solution for this and most likely it would be cheaper than an OEM upgrade would cost .

[JakeRobb]

Originally Posted by kanys

3 pistons

I suspect that you'll never see a 3-piston caliper. Typically, if there are more than two pistons, they stick with even numbers. This is because the additional pistons are put on the outside of the caliper, opposing the existing pistons.

[GMRL]

Originally Posted by nexus6

Didnt the 4th gen V8's have single piston calipers ?

i think the single piston for the V6 is just fine

anything else is just piston envy

LT1s did

[93Phoenix]

Originally Posted by JakeRobb

Nope, duals in front.

Incidentally, even my '93 Regal has duals in front.

Hmm, I wonder why they went with singles in 97 then.

[kanys]

Originally Posted by JakeRobb

I suspect that you'll never see a 3-piston caliper. Typically, if there are more than two pistons, they stick with even numbers. This is because the additional pistons are put on the outside of the caliper, opposing the existing pistons.

Ah ok cool thank you for the info, afraid I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to braking systems. So could a big single-piston caliper attain a similar stopping distance to two small 2 piston calipers? Maybe that is why they are going with single piston? And so maybe just upgrading from 1 to 2 pistons would not be that much of a difference so you might as well go up from 1 to 4? If that is the case, then make 4 pistons an option please!

[JakeRobb]

Originally Posted by 93Phoenix

Hmm, I wonder why they went with singles in 97 then.

I would guess that LT1 Camaros had single pistons, and that LS1s had duals.

Originally Posted by kanys

So could a big single-piston caliper attain a similar stopping distance to two small 2 piston calipers? Maybe that is why they are going with single piston? And so maybe just upgrading from 1 to 2 pistons would not be that much of a difference so you might as well go up from 1 to 4? If that is the case, then make 4 pistons an option please!

It's not so much about total braking power. Assuming a competent engineer takes the time to design it, it's possible for any reasonable number of pistons to generate any reasonable amount of braking force. It's entirely possible for a single-piston setup to outperform a six-piston setup.

Going with a single piston saves money, pure and simple.

The most significant advantage with multiple pistons is that the braking force is distributed over a larger pad area. This improves pad heating and wear characteristics.

[93Phoenix]

Originally Posted by JakeRobb

I would guess that LT1 Camaros had single pistons, and that LS1s had duals.

wuz talkin 'bout da regal foo

[kanys]

Originally Posted by JakeRobb

It's not so much about total braking power. Assuming a competent engineer takes the time to design it, it's possible for any reasonable number of pistons to generate any reasonable amount of braking force. It's entirely possible for a single-piston setup to outperform a six-piston setup.

So I guess the question becomes how nice are the single-piston calipers going in to the V6, anyone know?

[JakeRobb]

Originally Posted by 93Phoenix

wuz talkin 'bout da regal foo

My guess would be that they discovered that the previous generation Regal's brakes sucked ass (), regardless of the number of pistons, and so they went with something different.