Wheels vs front caliper size, any options?

L

lifespeed

Active member
I guess most of us who have looked into the Marauder brake issues and inadequacies have learned the factory wheels are a limitation when trying to switch to an aftermarket brake kit.

I am currently using a 14/13 four wheel kit, but I am spending way too much time and money maintaining the front brakes. Switching pads on the rears to Porterfield R4S seems to have worked pretty well, so I believe the rear brakes and the corresponding lighter load are a reasonable match. But my opinion is the front brake pad and caliper area are simply inadequate for a car this size. I do, of course, understand why this caliper is on the front of the car (wheel limitations).

So, my question is: what could be done to improve the front brakes if an aftermarket wheel were used? Could a TC 6R caliper with the corresponding large pad be fitted? Would the rear caliper have to be changed to maintain the piston area ratio?

Just wondering what is possible to do to fix the maintenance nightmare that is the current front brake setup. Can't even get 5K miles without needing to resurface the rotors and sand the pads. :(
 
You might want to contact Todd at TCE.

I've had his 13" kit installed for 4 or 5 years and am still on the original pads.

The kit fits the stock Marauder wheel using a thin spacer.

Only down side is I had to source a full size spare as the donut spare won't work.
 
I figured posting in the vendor forum was a reasonable enough way to start a discussion on this issue. I have talked to Todd before. What calipers are on your 13" kit?

I don't have a set of the OEM calipers any more for comparison, but I'm pretty sure the FNSL6R radial-mount calipers use a pad that is not any larger than OEM, and may actually be smaller.

I'm almost done with the second set of pads in 17K miles, and have resurfaced the second set of rotors twice already. I'm not making this up!
 
lifespeed said:
I figured posting in the vendor forum was a reasonable enough way to start a discussion on this issue. I have talked to Todd before. What calipers are on your 13" kit?

I don't have a set of the OEM calipers any more for comparison, but I'm pretty sure the FNSL6R radial-mount calipers use a pad that is not any larger than OEM, and may actually be smaller.

I'm almost done with the second set of pads in 17K miles, and have resurfaced the second set of rotors twice already. I'm not making this up!
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Calipers on my kit are FNSL6 per the TCE website.
 
If you were interested in a different wheel perhaps a 20" wheel would open up the possibilities. You may need to fab brackets if you want to use say a Corvette system.
 
Mr. Man said:
If you were interested in a different wheel perhaps a 20" wheel would open up the possibilities. You may need to fab brackets if you want to use say a Corvette system.
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My understanding is the biggest issue is axial clearance (caliper to inside edge of wheel spokes). But added radial clearance can't hurt.
 
Then you'll need to play with offset. Just be sure the wheel can handle the cars weight if moving the offsets
 
Mr. Man said:
Then you'll need to play with offset. Just be sure the wheel can handle the cars weight if moving the offsets
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The offset must remain the same, within reason, or the suspension geometry will be wrecked. So a wider wheel is the answer.
 
Todd TCE said:
A different spoke design is required not so much offset.
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Have you looked into what would be required to fit a bigger caliper to this setup? I am determined to do whatever is required to address this. I am tired of working on the brakes on this car, I change the brakes more often than I change the oil.
 
I can do the FNSL6, a W6A, Aero6, and even TC6 if you want. It's all doable for me. At a price. At a fit. There's nothing holding back production.
 
Todd TCE said:
I can do the FNSL6, a W6A, Aero6, and even TC6 if you want. It's all doable for me. At a price. At a fit. There's nothing holding back production.
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Would the rears need to change to maintain the correct front/rear torque ratio? Thinking of the TC6 of course and it's larger area, including piston area.
 
Ideally it would need a 14"+ rear rotor. Possibly same piston area, different calipers and brackets. Front rotors probably 15" with that caliper, won't clear the hat on a 14 I don't believe.
 
Todd TCE said:
Ideally it would need a 14"+ rear rotor. Possibly same piston area, different calipers and brackets. Front rotors probably 15" with that caliper, won't clear the hat on a 14 I don't believe.
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OK. Based on past experience I have 4 - 6 months before needing this, we'll talk then. I'll look into wheels in the meanwhile.
 
Would plain vs slotted rotors have anything to do with this issue? The guy at Porterfield seemed to think slotted would wear better. I may be one of only people running this setup with plain rotors.
 
Slotted discs will wear the pads quicker yes.

I'm going to go out on a limb here a bit and back to the original post; if the issue is pulsation and the need to resurface/replace the disc that won't change with a different caliper or a different rotor surface.

Here's the part nobody wants to here; it's driver induced. Anybody who's resurfacing the discs on a regular basis is dealing with a heavy pad transfer issue. And that's totally created by braking style. Hot braking with pressure applied and held once stopped.
 
Never thought of putting it neutral and releasing the brake pedal after a hard stop.
I have never had this issue either though.
At my age (maturity level) I've realized I'd rather make an attempt to time lights than actually need to apply the brake.
 
Hey, that's good Eco-driving. Good for you! Actually part of a program I'm working here in NY this week for a city gvmt. program to get better mileage.

Bottom of every bleeding and bedding installation page is the notice about cars with automatic transmissions.
 
lji372 said:
Never thought of putting it neutral and releasing the brake pedal after a hard stop.
I have never had this issue either though.
At my age (maturity level) I've realized I'd rather make an attempt to time lights than actually need to apply the brake.
Click to expand...


Lol. That's like every light for me! :D

OP you should look into something like the Godspeed Omegas.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
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