The following link will take you to a photo of a new brake package using 13" Viper Rotors and Corvette Calipers that is under development at West Coast Fiero: http://www.fieroswest.org/Page2.html
Also, if you are in the area please attend the FierosWest Barbeque on Saturday, May 13, 2006; details are here: www.fieroswest.org
Originally posted by madcurl: By how much is the weight difference?
More importantly, how much is the COST diffrence. saving 5lbs isnt worth $50 a rotor price increase to me. Dunno what the prices really are, but im assuming with the smaller market and higher base price, viper rotors would fetch a little more
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05:55 PM
FastIndyFiero Member
Posts: 2545 From: Wichita, KS Registered: Aug 2002
I'd be interested to see what the difference in moment of inertia is. That center hub looks pretty big.
------------------ My Web page | The Turbo Super Duty Build. You know that little voice that says it can't be done? I duct-taped mine's mouth shut and pushed it down a flight of stairs.
!3" rotors have been around for a while, but most (I think) used the very heavy Corvette rotors. The Viper rotors are thinner and much lighter.
There is only one problem...heavy and thick rotors are better for braking performance.
Being thick, they have better venting and can dissapate heat better than thinner rotors. They also are less prone to warping.
If they are heavier, they have better thermal capacity. That means the increased mass makes it so they can take more braking before they reach the fade temperature of the pads.
This is just like the Grand Am upgrade for 84-87 Fieros. It does not increase stopping power (same diameter), but it increases cooling and thermal capacity, so they take longer to fade.
The only upside I see to this upgrade is slightly improved accelleration and handling due to reduced rotating and unsprung mass. You might as well just do the 12" upgrade if you don't think you want the corvette 13"ers.
Finally, if you are using the Corvette calipers made for the much thicker Corvette rotors, will they work reliably on thinner rotors? There is a minimum thickness on rotors for a very good reason; caliper SAFETY and RELIABILITY.
Correct... larger rotors don't automatically equal shorter stopping distances... stopping distance is more of a function of brake pad material, piston pressure, hydraulic line pressure, and tire grip. Larger/Thicker rotors tend to be mostly needed for road racing, where temp control and brake fade are of great concern. Something that is almost never a concern for normal (or even aggressive) street use. Many magazine tests actually show longer braking distances with larger performance rotors (probably due largely to increased unsprung weight), but signifigant gains in temp control after heavy use. (SCC Magazine has been doing a few real-world articles relating to this topic lately).
That being said... the Fiero definitely shows dramatic improvement with even small (Grand Am) Brake upgrades. But I think once you get over about 11" diameter (LeBaron Brakes), you're really just getting the visual appearance more than the performance gain. At some point you can take into consideration increased thermal control vs. increased unsprung weight (which can have huge negative effects on handling).
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Originally posted by Durkin87Turbo3.4 DOH:
13" rotors have been around for a while, but most (I think) used the very heavy Corvette rotors. The Viper rotors are thinner and much lighter.
Do you have specs for both - for comparison?
[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 05-02-2006).]
I will get the weight data and some comparative sizing photos from both angles; we weighed the 12" Vette rotors, 13" Vette rotors and the 13" Viper rotors. I cannot rember the exact numbers at the moment, so rather than give out bad info, I will wait.
The Viper rotors were a bit heavier than the 12" Corvette, but much lighter than the 13" Corvette. The calipers are the standard Corvette Gen 4 models. Put another way they have more mass than the 12' vette, but far less than the 13" Vette (which I think is overkill); nice compromise I think!
In any event they are sufficient to stop a much heavier Viper, so my guess is that they will be just fine on a lighter fiero.
I will get the weight data and some comparative sizing photos from both angles; we weighed the 12" Vette rotors, 13" Vette rotors and the 13" Viper rotors. I cannot rember the exact numbers at the moment, so rather than give out bad info, I will wait.
The Viper rotors were a bit heavier than the 12" Corvette, but much lighter than the 13" Corvette. The calipers are the standard Corvette Gen 4 models. Put another way they have more mass than the 12' vette, but far less than the 13" Vette (which I think is overkill); nice compromise I think!
In any event they are sufficient to stop a much heavier Viper, so my guess is that they will be just fine on a lighter fiero.
David - I definitely look forward to seeing your details!
BTW: The viper is only about 3400lbs... so it's not hugely heavier...
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02:43 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Originally posted by Durkin87Turbo3.4 DOH: The Viper rotors were a bit heavier than the 12" Corvette, but much lighter than the 13" Corvette. The calipers are the standard Corvette Gen 4 models. Put another way they have more mass than the 12' vette, but far less than the 13" Vette (which I think is overkill); nice compromise I think! David
Hehe.
I may have to pay WCF a visit?
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05:43 PM
May 4th, 2006
Steven Snyder Member
Posts: 3323 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Mar 2004
Note this is just from memory.. I do know the LeBaron and 12" Vette rotors weigh exactly the same amount, and the 88 rotor is indeed 10.5, but I'm not positive on the absolute weights of the 12" vette and 13" viper rotors. The Viper rotor is only a few lbs heavier (2 or 2.5) than the 12" Vette rotor.
Anyone know how much the 13" Corvette rotor weighs?
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03:14 AM
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
For the ultimate in stopping power choose the FPV Premium brake package, which consists of 355mm x 32mm (14" x 1 1/4") cross drilled and slotted front rotors with Brembo 6 piston calipers and 330mm x 28mm (13" x 1 1/16") cross cross drilled rear rotors with Brembo 4 piston calipers. Standard on GT-P and optional on F6 Typhoon and GT.
For the ultimate in stopping power choose the FPV Premium brake package, which consists of 355mm x 32mm (14" x 1 1/4") cross drilled and slotted front rotors with Brembo 6 piston calipers and 330mm x 28mm (13" x 1 1/16") cross cross drilled rear rotors with Brembo 4 piston calipers. Standard on GT-P and optional on F6 Typhoon and GT.
If you had the tires to take advantage of those you'd probably break the Fiero knuckles
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10:11 PM
Jul 13th, 2006
fiero-iwan Member
Posts: 352 From: Eindhoven,Netherlands,Europe Registered: Mar 2003
For the ultimate in stopping power choose the FPV Premium brake package, which consists of 355mm x 32mm (14" x 1 1/4") cross drilled and slotted front rotors with Brembo 6 piston calipers and 330mm x 28mm (13" x 1 1/16") cross cross drilled rear rotors with Brembo 4 piston calipers. Standard on GT-P and optional on F6 Typhoon and GT.
