front discs and rear discs

[MeekRN]

2 things why did corvette put such a nice disk on the front wheels, and then skimp on the rear discs, the cost of tooling a different disc etc cant be worth the savings and now we are stuck with a man size disc in fromt and a chick disc in back, and second is there an upgrade to match the rear to the front disc?

 

[Patrick]

Hi, MeekRN. Welcome to the Corvette Action Center.

I'm certain if you search, you'll find upgrades for rear disc brakes that you'll judge "closer" the specs of the front breaks. I'm not sure it's necessary to do that kind of upgrade, though.

Remember that in any vehicle, the front brakes will need to take about 65% of the load in breaking (Hib Halverson will likely know the real number). The rear breaks get a comparatively easy time of it. So, why spend money on the rear breaks when it's the front that need the attention?


-Patrick

 

[bluecoupe]

2 things why did corvette put such a nice disk on the front wheels, and then skimp on the rear discs, the cost of tooling a different disc etc cant be worth the savings and now we are stuck with a man size disc in fromt and a chick disc in back, and second is there an upgrade to match the rear to the front disc?

Simple explaination:
When you hit the brakes the wieght of the vehicle shifts forward and the front brakes need to be bigger and better to handle the exrta load. The rear of the vehicle becomes unloaded (lighter). You'd be wasting your money matching the rears to the front. Most brake upgrades use different size rotors (and sometimes calipers) front and rear.

Complex explainations:

http://tarorigin.com/art/Bschmidt/

http://www.iapecc.com/physics.htm

Frank (bluecoupe)

 

[MeekRN]

i understand the weight disribution and transfer, im just saying the brakes look sissy, when they could have just used different size pistons that nobody would see, and leave the disc the same size as front. not everything about the vette is pure function a little symmetry and over kill here and there is nice. just a thought.

 

[silver98]

Another point on the rear calipers, is unneccesary unsprung weight. If the larger calipers, for symmetry, used the same size, the added weight would not be beneficial. Not saying it would slow the Vette down, but whenever / wherever unsprung weight can be shaved, the power / weight ratio can increase, resulting in a faster world class sports car.

IMHO

 

[wishuwerehere82]

You wouldn't want the same size rotors and pads on the back since the transferred weight is in the front of the car. That would cause the rear wheels to lock up long before the front ones do. Swapping ends in a Corvette is more than just embarassing, it's dangerous.

 

[mqqn]

i understand the weight disribution and transfer, im just saying the brakes look sissy, when they could have just used different size pistons that nobody would see, and leave the disc the same size as front. not everything about the vette is pure function a little symmetry and over kill here and there is nice. just a thought.

Hi MeekRN -

One of my friends from another forum put front calipers on the rear of his C5 vert.

It looked cool, but he had some small hassels modifying them to fit.

You can make out the larger front caliper mounted on the rear in this pic

You would have to use a proportioning valve to set the system up so the rear braking would be in harmony with the fronts.

The stock rear calipers are good looking units IMO - particularly when painted torch red, as on the Z06.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[jrose7004]

Since 80% of your stopping power is on the front I think the rears are adequate!

 

[bluecoupe]

i understand the weight disribution and transfer, im just saying the brakes look sissy, when they could have just used different size pistons that nobody would see, and leave the disc the same size as front. not everything about the vette is pure function a little symmetry and over kill here and there is nice. just a thought.

I like the symmetry thing too. It gives me an idea. How about pop-up tail lights? Hmmmm? How about a "rear" rearview mirror? Then you can look back and see ahead? Maybe 6 reverse speeds instead of only one.

I'm just kiddin'

PS: OCD?

 

[MeekRN]

glad everyone is having fun at my expense right bluecoupe,.


be right back, i have to wash my hands i think someone might have touched my keyboard.

 

[bluecoupe]

glad everyone is having fun at my expense right bluecoupe,.


be right back, i have to wash my hands i think someone might have touched my keyboard.

 

[thesurvivor]

And the rears are 18 inch wheels while the fronts are 17 inch....that makes them look smaller also.