Originally Posted by
Logizyme
So after polling a dozen or so people, today I finally had someone explain to me in an understandable way why the swept area is not relevant, which led to my understanding of why effective radius will determine stopping power.
So it's good that we all understand what determines brake torque. Increasing pad size doesn't affect it to a first order approximation. Again, same physics says bigger tires don't improve traction. Carried to it's logical conclusion a 1 square inch pad will work as well as a 12 square inch pad. Anybody think that is true?
Bigger pads are absolutely critical to maintaining reasonable wear characteristics (not just long life between replacements, but nastiness like pad transfer and pulsation) and keeping temperatures under control. It is not just the rotor size that manages temperature, although obviously rotors are important.
I refer you to expensive cars like Porsche Panamera, Toyota Supra, and various other high end cars. They have huge calipers and pads. There is a reason.
Lifespeed
2004 Silver Birch Marauder 130K miles
Wilwood Aero6 F, NMDP R brakes, Penske 7500DA shocks, Hypercoil 600lbs F and Grand Marquis R air springs, Addco tubular sway bars, Metco control & Watts, 31 sp axles, Stainless Works cat-back exhaust, Lidio tune, American Racing AR883 9.3" 50mm F 10" 59mm R 20" wheels, Pirelli P-Zero 265/35-20, 275/40-20 tires
Coming soon: Livernois 5.0L stroker, ADTR/Vortech V2 intercooled SC, Silverfox trans and Circle D converter