Wilwood brakes

[flyinlow]

Was thinking about upgrading my front disks on my 73.

Complete Wilwood set up with their 11 inch rotors...or

AR Engineering brakets with Wilwood calipers and 11,75 inch Mopar rotors.

Which would work best? 

Do the Wilwood calipers hold up well on the street?  Do Wilwood rotor corrode where the cast iron meets the alluminum hub?

[Chryco Psycho]

Wilwood has no dust / dirt seals in their calipers which is ok as long as you keep them clean or drive in clean environments . Scarebird has caliper adapters that use common parts , you can also Check with Baer, SSBC ETc .
Dis-similar metals will corrode over time the same as alum wheels onto iron brakes but coating them with anti seize helps

[Patronus]

I too need brakes. Had a quick question if I may.. Does anyone have 12" rotors with 15" wheels? Im running Bassett wheels and was hoping to fit the 12.19" rotor in there. (They spec. 16" wheels)

[Chryco Psycho]

the problem is getting caliper that is approx 1" thick to fit over the edge of the rotor & maintain enough strength & not hit the inside of the wheel , the biggest I know of it the cordoba system at about 11.75 "

[Silver R/T]

You can get better deal on ebay than Wilwoods. I do like their lightweight calipers though, but they're not worth extra $$ to me.

[Supercharged Riot]

Wilwood aint worth it??  I was considering buying the 6 piston caliper kits sold on Reilly Motorsports website 

[FLG]

I would upgrade the rear to disk (Dr.Diff has a good kit)

For daily driving a larger front setup probably wont do much, if you can lock up your wheels with the stock setup unless your doing some road racing and overheating em a bigger setup wont make a difference.

[flyinlow]

Already have rear disks. 11 inch elderado calipers.

I bought some 73 dart spindles for my sons drum brake 70 Charger. His budget is about zero right now. I thought I would give him the slotted 10.75 rotors, calipers,brackets and some new Hawk pads for his car to go with the spindles mentioned . This leaves me with no front brakes, but I have a bigger budget.

The Wilwoods save almost 40 lbs of unsprung weight, but I did have a couple durability questions. I drive 5000 miles or so a year, try to avoid rain ,but it happens.

The 11.75 Cordoba rotor set up is heavier ,especially if you use the stock caliper. I do like the idea of bigger rotors. Right now I am not using any perportioning valve and have a slight rear look up issue at max braking. If I had stronger front brakes ,it might help. 

[FLG]

What size rims do you have? Could go with a set of viper calipers 

[flyinlow]

15 X 7 Cragger SS on the front with 245/60 BFG's.

[bill440rt]

From what I understand now there are certain Wilwood calipers that now have the dust boots? 
Their larger systems will not fit with 15" wheels. Their 4-piston kit might though, I just don't know with the smaller rotor size if it would be adequate enough to stop a large car such as a Charger.

Wilwood aint worth it??  I was considering buying the 6 piston caliper kits sold on Reilly Motorsports website 

EXTREMELY happy with the performance of my Wilwood 6-piston kit. Although I did not purchase the brakes themselves from Reilly (used another vendor that caused me months of grief), I did purchase my Hydroboost from him & would gladly make any additional purchases from him hands down. Bill was very helpful & knowledgeable.

[John_Kunkel]

I wouldn't consider Wilwoods to be an "upgrade" unless you're replacing drums.

[Patronus]

Yesterday Summit had Baer's going for $640 (iron sport) ...now they're gone. 
If I could get the 12.19" rotors in these wheels I'd be happy..

[Mopar Nut]

Delete

[Mopar Nut]

Yesterday Summit had Baer's going for $640 (iron sport) ...now they're gone.  
If I could get the 12.19" rotors in these wheels I'd be happy..

If you want rear disks, Jegs has Baer's (iron sport) rear kit item 136-4142020 $465.00

[Supercharged Riot]

Hey bill440rt

Did you get the same exact brakes?

Any issues with daily driving & braking?

[HPP]

From what I understand now there are certain Wilwood calipers that now have the dust boots?
Their larger systems will not fit with 15" wheels. Their 4-piston kit might though, I just don't know with the smaller rotor size if it would be adequate enough to stop a large car such as a Charger.

Yes, Wilwood does offer some calipers with dust seals now. Check with them to figure out if the offered versions are compatible with your plans.

Wilwoods 12.19 kit is designed to fit within SOME 15" wheels. This is what the Nascar boys use, albeit in 1.25 thick version, so it may be possible. Mopar Muscle did this conversion in teh last couple of years in one of their project cars. If your trying to get them behind your vintage slot mags, it probably aint gonna happen. If you have some newer, light weight set ups, they may fit.

However, if your just using the Wilwood heavy duty drag race kit with 10.5 rotors, I wouldn't bother. You'll have better street results with the smaller mopar offering plus keep everything stock. Braking capability is increased with rotor size, not piston count. Its simple leverage. Can you tighten bolts down with more force using a 1/2" drive ratchet or a 1/4" drive ratchet? Same principle applies to brakes.

I wouldn't consider Wilwoods to be an "upgrade" unless you're replacing drums.

Agreed, because of my above thought. The lighter weight is nice, but not hugely noticeable on the street. The loss of braking leverage and heat sink capability for multiple stops in traffic would be concerns with the Wilwood aluminum hub and hat set up, IMO. However, unlike the stock pads, Wilwood will offer different pad compounds for different applications so if you actually use your car for a variety of activities, Wilwood may offer more options for stopping your car.

[flyinlow]

Thanks ,

going with the 11.75 inch slotted 79 Cordoba rotors with Mopar brakets and stock pin  stye calipers. I am also going to try Hawk carbon/ferro pads.

My son gets the hand me down 10,75 inch slotted rotors,pads and calipers  for his '70 Charger, now that he has the '73 A body disk spindles.

[Dino]

My car came with a complete Wilwood front disc kit, the old 10.75" vented rotors and 4 piston billet calipers.  I wouldn't buy it now if I had to pick but since it was free I will install it and hope for the best.  The drums work pretty good so how bad can the discs be?  Worst case scenario I have to unbolt it again and get different rotors and calipers.

[flyinlow]

I liked the unsprung weight advantage of the complete Wilwood kit (38 lbs). A suspension that can keep the tires on the ground more of the time on a rough road can give you better braking . I learned on dirt bikes that brakes don't work when the tires are airborne.

Even though the Wilwood 4 pistons don't clamp as hard as a stock caliper,if they have high friction pads or better quality cast iron for the rotor, the brakes still might work better then stock,for a given size rotor. 

[Dino]

I liked the unsprung weight advantage of the complete Wilwood kit (38 lbs). A suspension that can keep the tires on the ground more of the time on a rough road can give you better braking . I learned on dirt bikes that brakes don't work when the tires are airborne.

Even though the Wilwood 4 pistons don't clamp as hard as a stock caliper,if they have high friction pads or better quality cast iron for the rotor, the brakes still might work better then stock,for a given size rotor. 

I think you hit the nail on the head with the pads.  Everyone I spoke to running this kit said it was all in the pads.  Oh and apparently it's not a bad idea to have the rotors turned before installing them although I'm not sure I want to do that.

I like the way my drum brakes work, when they work properly.  Obviously I have an issue with them when they're cold but once warmed up it does stop pretty good, I can't imagine the discs not doing a better job but if they suck they will fly!

[Patronus]

Wilwood specs on the 12.19" rotor is 7.15" height to the top of the caliper. My wheel measures 7.25" to the inner wheel lip.. What would you guys do? I'd also have to machine the center out to the recommended 3.1" bore..Is it worth it over the 11" rotors??

[FLG]

I recently switched pads on my other car due to switching from regular tires to Comp R tires

I went from Hawk HPS pads, to a MUCH more agressive track pad (car will be run in a month or so), DTC 60 pads to be exact, and HP Plus pads for the rear. The pads make a ton of fricken dust, kill my rotors, and squeal like hell and take a bit of warmup before there past the effectiveness of the old pads...but i went from not being able to lock up the Comp R tires to being able to put a passenger through the windshield if i wanted. I ONLY changed pads, nothing else.

Try a different set of pads with your brakes now and see what you get, find something more aggressive but nothing crazy. HPS pads were great with street tires, and they do make em for our cars. The HP Plus pads are a bit more aggressive but they are pretty dusty and make a ton of noise, price you gotta pay for better brakes though. 

[bill440rt]

Hey bill440rt

Did you get the same exact brakes?

Any issues with daily driving & braking?

Sorry for not responding sooner, I was dealing with the heat at Carlisle! 
The front kit I got was a 6-piston, kit# 140-10815D. Rotors are 12.88".
Rear kit is#140-7144D, rotors are 12.18".

Car stops great, I don't experience any fade at all. That was just using the Wilwood pads that came in the kit.

[flyinlow]

I recently switched pads on my other car due to switching from regular tires to Comp R tires

I went from Hawk HPS pads, to a MUCH more agressive track pad (car will be run in a month or so), DTC 60 pads to be exact, and HP Plus pads for the rear. The pads make a ton of fricken dust, kill my rotors, and squeal like hell and take a bit of warmup before there past the effectiveness of the old pads...but i went from not being able to lock up the Comp R tires to being able to put a passenger through the windshield if i wanted. I ONLY changed pads, nothing else.

Try a different set of pads with your brakes now and see what you get, find something more aggressive but nothing crazy. HPS pads were great with street tires, and they do make em for our cars. The HP Plus pads are a bit more aggressive but they are pretty dusty and make a ton of noise, price you gotta pay for better brakes though. 

I have the Hawk HPS pads ,waiting for the 11.75 cordoba  rotors . 

[Patronus]

The big rotor fit real well. 

[Supercharged Riot]

Patronus. Thanks for the pictures!!
Bill440rt. Hanks for the reply.

Do any of you two have an issue about the lack of a dust shield on the rotors?
I dont know of its a big deal to have one of those or not.

[bill440rt]

Patronus. Thanks for the pictures!!
Bill440rt. Hanks for the reply.

Do any of you two have an issue about the lack of a dust shield on the rotors?
I dont know of its a big deal to have one of those or not.

I don't have an issue with it. I wipe stuff down under there from time to time, so far it gets a little dirty but nothing uncontrollable. It hasn't been noticeably worse than my others that have the shields.
I've also noticed the amount of dust has gotten less now that the pads are fully broken in.

[FLG]

Fyi run no dust shields on my track car...brakes run noticeably cooler but might want to cover your ball joints with heat resistant tape... heats em up with no shield

[Patronus]

I would also like to add one of the braided lines required special for Wilwood brakes is cracked and leaks. (non-auto-parts-store-available) She will be in the air till Tues....

[bill440rt]

I should add that one of my two-piece bleeders was leaking. I ordered a replacement from Summit just to get it faster.
Also, one of my rear calipers had a leak, leaked for 3 days straight. Left a small puddle on the floor. Turns out it was just assembly lube. I was like, "Jeez, how much assembly lube did they use to put this thing together??"