[Anchorman]

(Instead of continuing this discussion on the currently active Big Red thread)



Several years ago, I purchased an extra pair of front calipers and all of the parts needed to rebuild them. My goal was to end up with silver calipers. After having everything sitting around for those several years, I finally sent everything to a shop on the west coast (I can find the name, if anyone is interested) that rebuilt (with my parts) and polymer coated the calipers. IMHO, they look GREAT!



I now want to do the rears, but haven't found a pair of rear calipers - but I also haven't sold the fronts that were taken off when RS Barn put on the "new" calipers.



This gives rise to the question - can I install front calipers on the rear? My brake system has SS lines, the replacement bias valve, and I forget what pads.



What are the differences between stock front and rear calipers?

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[Anchorman]

It looks like I'll have to answer my own question. It seems that the calipers are physically the same, so front calipers could be installed on the rear. However, the rear caliper pistons are smaller than the front, suggesting that installing a set of front calipers on the rear would increase rear braking force.



In principle, this could be good - but would it be too much, particularly when coupled with the rear-bias proportioning valve?



I've decided not to find out. I'll get a pair of rear calipers, have them rebuilt and coated, then swap with the existing rear calipers.



So - Sometime in the next few months, I'll have a complete set of calipers (front and rear) for sale. If anyone's interested, let me know.

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[unknown4u]

Anchorman, What you said is correct, I did not noticed this topic. So a late reply.

But when you are using rear and front the same calipers you have a problem when you will brake hard. This will result in rear wheels that lock up an in a corner the car will step out. Hard to handle. You'll have to drive like a motorbike. not braking hard in the corners. And that is not what you want.

Also the abs system get into action to early. So your brake distance will get longer.



So it is not a good thing to do.



What else will change is the position of the breakpedal. By bigger calipers the necessarry movement of brakefluid is more. The pedal will go deaper than normal. When pressed to deap in case of an emergency braking it could be that there is no possibility to build up enough pressure because pedal is to the metal.



Also the thickness of the front disk and the rear disk has a 4 mm difference.



There is a way to let it work out. But then you have to change the frontbrakes to a bigger size or maybe a 6 caliper version. But the balace must be the same as the original setting. That is the basic rule.



If the rear brakes harder, then you'll have to improve the front as well. Otherwise you will have a "dangerous" thing to drive.

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[Anchorman]

Thanks - that confirms that I've made the right decision by not putting front calipers on the rear.

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[PorscheDude]

A little OT, but is the place that refinished your calipers called Goldline?



I am going to send my big reds there for a complete cosmetic and mechanical rebuild. He quoted me $248 per caliper.

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[uscarrera]

Hey guys, over the years I have collected some 968 brake calipers, how can I tell which are fronts and which are rears they look the same to me, if I sell them want to represent them properly.

thanks

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[Anchorman]

Smokie - yes, Goldline did my calipers; John is a pleasure to deal with.



USC - the rear has smaller pistons. If you can't see by eye, a caliper should help you measure and determine one caliper from another. (Simply typing this sentence made me chuckle.)



If you have a pair of rear calipers that you're selling, let me know. If we can do a deal, I'd have you send them directly to Goldline.

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[PorscheDude]

Yea, I spoke with John today. He was very nice and very knowledgeable. I found a place in NJ but they wanted $325 for the same treatment.

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[Anchorman]

I found a place in NJ that would clean and powder coat the calipers - but I would have to do the dismantling and rebuild. I believe they wanted $150 for two coats on the pair. I decided that going the Goldline route was the better one for me.

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