multisync1 wrote:I couldn't believe the numbers on the braking distances either. But those are the results indicated from two separate runs using the G-Tech Pro accelerometer. On the two tests, differences were within 1 foot of each other at 60-0 between the two runs (the second one was 111 feet). I will double check this against a stock Honda Accord LX to make sure the G-Tech Pro isn't giving unusually short distances. I'll post those results as a reference here once I do it.
Be very careful about quoting Ghetto-Tech results as fact. Yes, it's accurate within it's own measuring perimeters, however, measure it by actual tape, and it becomes inaccurate.
a few friends of mine did a testing with my vehicle back a couple of years. I was testing stock braking competents to wilwood 4 piston calipers. We used a g-tech as well as measured on the road.
the g-tech was posting 10-15' SHORTER distances, overall.
we did back-to-back stops, maybe with 5mins between each. Ran the same wheel/tyre combo. Stock, average from 60mph to nil was around 155', iirc. wilwood calipers, average was cut by 12'. This was mainly due to an old, worn out braking system getting replaced with new components.
Quote »Wouldn't wider wheels increase the contact patch? I've got 8.5 inch wide wheels on the front and 9.5 inches on the rear (compared to 7.5 inches all around from the OE wheels).[/quote]Only if the tyres attached to them are wider.
Quote »I've actually heard that upgrading brakes to bigger sizes could actually hurt braking distances on many cars because the brake bias (front to rear) that was tuned by auto engineers could be compromised.[/quote]Sorta. Most people who get bigger brakes, tend to get bigger wheels. Therefore, causing more rotational mass that has to be brought down to a halt.
Bigger brakes also carry more mass. This is GREAT for fade resistance, bullocks for cold stops. People can see shorter stopping distances with stickier tyres. People can get better fade resistance with better brake pads, larger rotors, thicker rotors, brake ducting, higher boiling point fluid, etc.