#59806

I have been following this thread with interest and have a few comments.

First, the equation for frictional force between rigid materials does NOT include the contact area. The only factors that matter are the materials and the force pushing them into contact. A simple explanation is that if you double the contact area, you also cut the contact pressure (PSI) in half so the net effect is zero.

Second, when different size caliper pistons are used, the larger piston is on the TRAILING side to equalize pad pressure.

Third, if you use a caliper with more piston area (to me, 3% is not a significant difference), what are you going to do about brake balance? By all accounts, the rear brakes on an Alpine / Tiger are basically along for the ride and parking. Increasing the front brake force is not going to help the situation.

Fourth, the Volvo / Capri calipers should provide the same braking performance as the Alpine pieces at a drastically lower cost. Has anyone noticed what VB thinks a set of reman Alpine calipers are worth?

Finally, I think the real issue is the non-vented rotor. The Alpine brake setup was state-of-the-art in 1959, but technology and driving conditions have changed over the last 46 years. A system that can handle more than a couple of hard stops from high speed before the fade monster shows up would be nice. Dale’s Restorations offers a vented rotor setup that uses a spacer in the Alpine caliper for $250. There are lots of other possibilities, but they are probably going to cost considerably more and will probably require larger wheels.

That’s about a nickels worth.