multi-piston vs. single piston calipers
09-25-03 | 03:34 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
multi-piston vs. single piston calipers
Hello friends,
I was wondering if you could enlighten me. I have searched the web and haven't been able to answer the question myself, so I need some guidence.
How are 2, 4 or 6 piston calipers better for braking than a 1 piston caliper?
Please enlighten me.
I was wondering if you could enlighten me. I have searched the web and haven't been able to answer the question myself, so I need some guidence.
How are 2, 4 or 6 piston calipers better for braking than a 1 piston caliper?
Please enlighten me.
09-25-03 | 08:32 AM
#2
trying to build a racecar
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 580
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Tx.
Well the differences are minor IMO, but here are some reasons.
1. An caliper with opposed pistons, compared to calipers with the pistons on just one side, is less likely to bind since the caliper or disk doesn't have to be of the floating variety.
2. For a given master cylinder, a caliper with more pistons (assuming that translates into more piston area) will have more feedback at the pedal since it will have a longer travel. This sort of "comes out in the wash" if the brakes are boosted. Depepnding on driver preference and car setup this could be called a negative.
3. More pistons means a longer caliper which means a longer pad. A longer pad has more area and therefore usually better bite, more friction. It also means there will be more "pad stability", ie no pad "knock-back".
4. A larger pad and caliper also has more surface area for heat absorbtion and disipation. So you are less likely to experience brake fade.
Good luck
1. An caliper with opposed pistons, compared to calipers with the pistons on just one side, is less likely to bind since the caliper or disk doesn't have to be of the floating variety.
2. For a given master cylinder, a caliper with more pistons (assuming that translates into more piston area) will have more feedback at the pedal since it will have a longer travel. This sort of "comes out in the wash" if the brakes are boosted. Depepnding on driver preference and car setup this could be called a negative.
3. More pistons means a longer caliper which means a longer pad. A longer pad has more area and therefore usually better bite, more friction. It also means there will be more "pad stability", ie no pad "knock-back".
4. A larger pad and caliper also has more surface area for heat absorbtion and disipation. So you are less likely to experience brake fade.
Good luck
09-25-03 | 07:35 PM
#4
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 8
From: Dallas
The reason a multi piston caliper is such an advantage is because a larger clamping force is applied across the disc. This force is also much more evenly distributed and keeps the leaeding and trailing edges of the pad from literally flexing away from the disc as the backing plate distorts under high loads. More pistons make the entire pad able to do more work along with wearing the friction material more evenly.
A step further is a multi piston caliper with different sized pistons. The leading edge of the pad always runs hotter. By making the leading piston a little smaller than the trailing one(s), a more even temperature can be maintained across the entire pad surface as opposed to the leading edge running hot.
A fixed caliper with opposing pistons also tends to not vibrate through the pedal as much since it is not sliding, and both the inner and outer pads do the same amount of work. Ever notice how sliding calipers always wear out the inner pad against the piston first?
A step further is a multi piston caliper with different sized pistons. The leading edge of the pad always runs hotter. By making the leading piston a little smaller than the trailing one(s), a more even temperature can be maintained across the entire pad surface as opposed to the leading edge running hot.
A fixed caliper with opposing pistons also tends to not vibrate through the pedal as much since it is not sliding, and both the inner and outer pads do the same amount of work. Ever notice how sliding calipers always wear out the inner pad against the piston first?
