Overview of Disc Brake Calipers:
Wilwood Engineering manufactures an extensive line of disc brake calipers covering applications from professional competition to the sports driving enthusiast. Choosing the right caliper for a specific need is crucial to the overall performance of any brake system. Disc brake calipers are essentially sophisticated hydraulic clamps designed to house a specific set of brake pads. The size, shape, and total volume of the brake pad friction material are key factors in the caliper selection process. This overview will identify many design characteristics and specific features of various Wilwood models.
Wilwood Calipers are manufactured from specific and proprietary aluminum alloys. Calipers may be forged from premium grade alloy billets, machined from blank billets, or formed using close tolerance casting processes. The manufacturing process for any given caliper is based on style, shape, size, volume, and the intended application of the finished product.
Many caliper models are offered with a choice of piston sizes, construction and material. Combined piston area, not caliper size, is the primary influence on a caliper's clamping power. The piston volume must match the master cylinder bore size and pedal leverage to realize peak performance from the system. Rotor diameter will also impact the system's effectiveness. Different piston sizes provide the car builder with options to maximize the overall balance and brake system performance.
Piston material is selected based on the caliper's intended operating environment. Stainless steel pistons are used most often in calipers intended for high performance or competition applications. Stainless steel is selected for its low heat transfer properties and high resistance to corrosion. For extreme temperature environments, Wilwood's exclusive multi-piece insulated Thermlock® pistons provide ultimate protection against heat transfer from the brake pads into the caliper body, piston seals, and brake fluid. Aluminum pistons are only used in low to medium temperature applications, usually in conjunction with rubber piston boots that protect the pistons from corrosion and debris.
Wilwood incorporates a variety of innovative and time proven performance enhancements in its caliper designs. They include radial mounting, differential piston bores, high temperature seals, SRS Squeal Reduction and bridge reinforcement plates, internal heat shields, quick access pad retention, shock dampened fluid tubes, and center bridge bolts. A durable black anodized finish is standard on most models, with some available in a polished finish for show car applications.
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Calipers are listed in descending order by what brake pad size they hold. The list begins with the caliper holding the largest brake pad size and ends with the caliper that holds the smallest brake pad size:
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