[s-cars] I need a guinea pig

[Adam D.]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
Javad,

I ask that you please reread what I wrote carefully.  At no point did I say=
 the Big Red is inferior to the Stoptech.  I used the words "in many ways,"=
 implying CERTAIN ASPECTS of the caliper show improvement.  But I never imp=
lied that these changes make the caliper as a whole superior.  In fact, I t=
hen go on to say,  "There are too many variables to make a definitive compa=
rison, but the Stoptechs consistently have more "bite" and more "feel" to t=
hem.  Could be pad, could be fluid, could be the caliper.  Hard to say."  I=
 thought I made it clear that I was not labeling the Stoptech as superior. =
 I agree, Javad, making such a claim would be irresponsible since the only =
comparisons I have made have been purely qualitative and subject to the var=
iables I listed above.  Ok, so my use of the word "many" may not have been =
the best choice, but I hardly think that constitutes "a grossly over-exagge=
rated and irresponsible statement."

As for the bridge, lets take a moment and think about what the caliper is d=
oing.  As the pistons compress against the pads/rotor, it wants to force th=
e two halves of the caliper away from each other.  This is why they're bolt=
ed together.  The point where the two halves are bolted together create a p=
ivot point, which means any parts of the caliper beyond that point (away fr=
om the wheel hub) would be compressed TOGETHER under the same braking load.=
  That bridge essentially reduces that compression phenomenon.  All the for=
ces against it are compression, not expansion.  Therefore, the bolts are si=
mply holding it in place and need only be sized for that purpose.  At no ti=
me are the bolts under any stress.  The bridge itself is considerably thick=
er than 1/4" too.  More like 5/8".  Again, does this make a quantitative im=
provement?  I don't know.


TTFN,
Adam Dieckerhoff

Head Tech, Achtuning LLC
Redmond, WA.
adam at achtuning.com
'93 S4
'86 5kcstq
'81 Yamaha XV920RH Euro




  ----- Original Message -----
  From: JShadzi at aol.com
  To: adam at s4.org ; s-car-list at audifans.com
  Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2002 11:03 PM
  Subject: Re: [s-cars] I need a guinea pig


  Adam, this is  a grossly over-exaggerated and irresposible statement - th=
e Big Red is hardly "inferior" to the Stoptech caliper. I"ve held both in m=
y hand side by side, the only difference is the "bridge" as you say, and I =
have my doubts about how well a 1/4" piece of aluminum secured by 2 - 2"+ l=
ong 6mm bolts can make a Big Red caliper inferior all of a sudden.

  I like Stoptech, they have great kits and amazing support, but I doubt yo=
u'll notice any real world driving difference between a Stoptech kit and a =
well developed Big Red kit assuming 2-piece "Coleman" type rotors for each.

  Javad


    Second, the calipers:  I count 5 out of the 7 kits you list below using=
 the
    993tt "Big Red" caliper.  The Big Red as it stands from Porsche is infe=
rior
    to the Stoptech version in  many ways.  The hardware Stoptech uses to j=
oin
    the two halves together is much beefier (beefier than even the Mov'it s=
tuff)
    and they use a metal bridge through bolted to the caliper in place of t=
he
    spring pad retainer.  Both these modifications add significant structur=
al
    rigidity which should, in theory, increase clamping force and improve p=
edal
    feel.  The through bolt method adds a degree of safety as well.  The he=
ad of
    the bolt interferes with the travel of the caliper-to-bracket nut.  If =
it
    were to come loose it could



--