TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

My stock BW 9bolt is not liking the LS2 swap. On to a Strange 12 bolt.

Since I have the FSL 6pots (narrow) on 13.0 X 1.1 up front, I want the matching caliper on the rear. I see no kits, anywhere. Is this possible to use this caliper (http://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/Cali...subname=FNSL4R ) and use a two piece 12.0 X 1.0 rotor with some sort of e-brake.
I'm hoping to continue to use the stock 16x8 Formula wheels for: longer trips on harder rubber, use used 16x8 R rubber for HPDE's, and continue to leave new 17's for last, budget-wise.

Is this doable, difficult? I plan on using BBF housing ends on the Strange.

Beater79TA

Call Wilwood and talk to them. They've always been very knowledgeable and helpful when I've had questions about fitment, pads, etc.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

I'd really like the matching caliper, but I'm concerned about the fixed caliper on the rear.
The larger problem with semi floating axles is the bearing retainer itself. With a Wilwood brake kit, they supply the retainer and it would be fine on the highway and for light trackday use, but with good tires and hard driving the retainer will deflect and in some cases bend. In reality, it isn't really an issue for the bearing, but with fixed calipers like the narrow superlite, pad knockback will be a problem. I could easily bend the retainer plates. Full floaters would be overkill.

Maybe a floating caliper is better and cheaper. Hmmmm.....Opinions?

I need to come to a conclusion before I order the 12 bolt.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Some ideas.

Wilwood D52 calipers. They are floating calipers but look better than most. Wilwood packages these calipers with e-brake rear kits.

Will you be running bolt in or c-clip axles? I assume bolt in.

If I have knockback issues I plan to try a residual pressure valve inline in the rear brake line.

Other things to think about
- floating rotors
- pad knockback springs behind caliper pistons

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Thanks John,
How do those compare to the D154's?
http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Bra...o=140-12215-DR

Yes, bolt in. I'm still investigating the 12 bolt, but market forces are pushing me towards the S60. Overkill for me, but there's a reason the market is going this way. I've got a week or two before I pull the trigger.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Functionally I would not expect much of a difference considering they are going on the rear. Personally I would prefer the D52 as it is physically larger and therefore more ascetically pleasing to me. The D52 also uses a larger pad. But the D52 is also a pound heavier than the D154.

I thought you were chasing weight? I am surprised you are looking at a S60, especially considering you are not a drag racer. I ended up with a thirdgen Dana 44 which fully assembled with a heavy Torsen T2R is 20lbs heavier than the 9 bolt it is replacing. The thirdgen D44's aren't really that hard to find. What limited slip are you going to use?

John

Kennerz

John(87350IROC) please check your inbox I've been trying to contact you- serious about a purch. Need your brake expertise.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

I'm looking at the Truetrac. Strange now says that their 30 spline fits fine, it's just the 33 spline that fits sloppy. A 30 spline would be fine for <500rwhp and an auto and street tires.
I wish I could find a Dana 44!
I don't see a D52 rear parking kit - maybe the D154 kit can upgrade to the D52 caliper. I'll make some inquiries.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Talked to Wilwood, they do not offer the D52 with an e-brake kit. Asked if I could swap the D154's off that kit, NO.
I could get the D52's and use w/out e-brake till Thanksgiving (I'm auto), then have custom brackets made and retro fit the e-brake over the winter. The e-brake does not use the D52 brackets in any way.

Left Ed an e-mail about possible matching 4pot rears on 12 x 1's. No word, yet. Awfully spendy for rears and may never fully utilize due to brake bias. Padknock is possible with these, too.

Being a 'bird, I'll stick w/multi-spoke wheels. Maybe the D52's will suffice.

I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger on the 12 bolt. I'm thinking that the Big Ford backing plates offer the most aftermarket options. Am I correct in my thinking?

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Hmm maybe I am mistaken. I thought I have seen e-brake kits with the D52.

As far as the backing plate. I will say that the more square GM backing plate is easier for packaging many of the custom e-brake setups that I have played with. The wide Big Ford backing plate is just too wide for some applications. With that said I think the Big Ford plate is very well represented in the aftermarket. I think you can't go wrong either way. I might check out which wheel bearing design is better for you, and go from there.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

I take it you mean what Wilwood calls the, 'Chevy Special'.

I was thinking of the set-20 bearings in a BBF (Big Bearing Ford) housing end, also called Torino style. Has the GM bolt pattern.

Still having difficulty deciding on who can make the rear. Mark Williams hasn't responded, yet. Strange can't do it. Just can't seem to buy a Moser. DTS will make one using Moser axles, meh. Eric at MWC is looking into it. I should be able to pull the trigger in a week or so. Would like it under my car mid-Sept.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Two options for Chevy Special - 2.81 or 2.91 offset. Guessing 2.81? If Big Ford then 2.50 offset

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I am referring to the 12 bolt one here. It is also the same as the 10 bolt, but different than the 9 bolt.

When you say GM bolt pattern, are you referring to the wheel bolt pattern?

I don't understand what the issue is with the manufacturers. My understanding is that a 12 bolt with Big Ford flanges and GM bolt pattern axles is very common.

I got my axles from Mark Williams. I would imagine they can handle this job.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Yes, GM bolt pattern for wheels. When people commonly say Ford housing ends, that would mean Ford bolt patterns. "Style" is more appropriate, just being technical and accurate - I think.

I look at Wilwood's page, and I don't see that exact axle housing flange. Here are the three Wilwood shows. I would need the 3.150 ID, but that could be bored out - just more work.

Strange says their 33 spline axles fit sloppy in the Truetrac. A week later, they said their 30 spline axles fit. A week later they said they don't have 30 spline axles for the 3rd Gen width - they are G-body axles. Eric confirmed this.
Getting tech info on spline cut and diff fitment is worse than pulling teeth! I can't get any info, and receive terms like, "sloppy," or "fit." So far, I know Moser has 3rd Gen width axles for 12 bolt that will fit the Truetrac. Eric is seeing if he will build a Strange housing with Moser axles for me. I asked if he could get MW axles and the Strange housing - we'll see. He's notoriously slow so I'm hesitant to give him my money and wait til the snow falls. I'll wait to hear what he says. Tried calling today.
Strange housing has the better bolt-through TA attachment, but I have read that the web/ridges on the side of the housing are weak and can flex. Not going to try Moser's housing. DTS is not the same as Moser, but they both are bolt-in for TA attachment. With loctite and safety wire, I can manage that.
MW uses DTS housings, so that gives me confidence.
MW will break the bank, but their parts won't break. I have complete confidence in them. Travis is slow in getting back to me, too.
DTS will build me a 30 or 33 spline Truetrac with their housing and Moser axles. I have to decide if I hate Moser axles enough to shell out $800 more to get MW to build the whole thing. Both DTS & MW are a 3 week build time.

I do know this: who and how the rear-end assembly is put together means everything. MW and Eric can do it well, don't know anything about DTS, no reason to discount them, either.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

And the Big Ford

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

It looks like the Chevy special is the GM 10/12 flange but with the larger big ford bearings.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Went with the Chevy special, and 2.81 axle off-set is confirmed.

PM sent