Caliper and Rotor Options
Due to the expanded kit offerings by our company we find it necessary to produce a page of information on the various calipers and options to them that are available to fit
most of the TCE kits. One of the key benefits to the TCE kits is the ability to substitute many of the below calipers for one another. This being the flexibility of our products.
Base kits are designed to meet the needs of most customers, but there are a number of alternatives and upgrades to choose from also.
Calipers-
Billet Superlite or BSL: The lightest offering in the Superlite line of calipers, offering a differential bore in some cases, open bridge design. This caliper
offers an extremely attractive look to our brake kits and ample stopping power for most applications. For those who want good looks and very light weight
this is it. **Available with Thermlock Pistons in many applications.
Billet NDL or NDL: This caliper is similar to the BSL above in that it is of a billet aluminum design and is extremely light weight. Its compact size makes
it fit in tight areas that other calipers won't. Not available with differential bores however. Found on the Contour and Focus kits at this time, it has ample
clamping force to meet the needs of most street/strip applications and offers some piston areas not available on the other calipers. **Thermlock Pistons
available separately only.
Billet Superlite Six or BSL6: This is the Mother of all the Billet Superlite calipers. It's differential bore, six piston power offers a modest increase in piston
area over the standard BSL, has a stiff, closed bridge design, and good looks to boot. It does require additional spoke clearance over the BSL as its outer
body is nearly 1/4" wider. An excellent choice for those who want to 'step up' the race track worthy performance and have the wheel room to fit it. This
caliper requires a slightly different pad plate than the other Superlites. **Available with Thermlock Pistons and SS heat shields.
Superlite IIA or SLIIA: The original Superlite caliper, this unit can be substituted on many of the TCE kits for those who are on a budget and want the
benefits of a closed bridge caliper. Stiffer, heavier and quick change cotter pins make this an affordable alternative for more race than street applications.
This is a cast caliper and thus does not have the appeal of the Billet ones above. **Thermlock Pistons available separately.
Superlite III or SLIII: The staple of the Lightning kits where additional piston area is required. This is a race bred caliper with differential bores, and SS
heat shields build in. A cast caliper it has a closed bridge and very stiff design. **Also available with Thermlock Pistons.
Cast NDL or CNDL: A cast aluminum version of the NDL, this caliper is targeted more to those who need a stiffer design of this popular caliper. It's
closed bridge design and heavier construction make it track worthy. Non differential bore applications and quick release pads are a benefit. **Thermlock
Pistons available separately.
Grand National III or GNIII: This caliper is a six piston upgrade to the SLIII offered on the Lightning kits. It's six piston design offers extreme clamp loads
with increased piston area. The pads for this caliper are much larger then the standard SL parts. **Available with Thermlock Pistons.
New! Forged Superlite: Soon to be released this caliper will offer a balance between the BSL and SLIIA part by combining reduced weight without
sacrificing caliper rigidity or stiffness. Plans call for only a same bore design at this time however. Its outward appearance is closer to the cast appearing
SLIIA but with a more modern look. Superior grain structure in the forging promises a strong caliper in a compact design.
Coming Soon! Sealed Superlites: After much discussion with Wilwood, TCE and others have convinced Wilwood to address the issue of non booted
or sealed piston calipers. While we have never found this to be a legitimate issue, some folks still feel that a non dust booted caliper is simply not
applicable for street kits. This is being addressed and more details on this caliper and it construction and sizing will be forthcoming.
**Thermlock Pistons: So, what are they and who needs them? Wilwood's exclusive Thermlock Pistons replace or substitute for the standard Stainless
Steel pistons found in all base kits. These are specially designed, multi piece caliper pistons that are used to dramatically reduce caliper and fluid
temperatures from the back of the brake pad. The insulation provided by these parts can keep fluid temps in check under the most extreme uses. Many
of the calipers above can be had directly from Wilwood with this option as well as SS heat shields in the caliper body to further reduce and reflect the
radiant heat. Thermlock pistons are not included on our base kits simply due to their cost and the fact that most street driven applications do not need
them. They should be considered primarily for those kits which will see more than the occasional track day and where air flow is hindered. If you have
fluid boiling problems they can be retro fitted at any time in the future. They are not available as a standard option on all calipers and thus may require
individual purchase. Cost of this option vary by caliper but generally add between $85 and $135 to each caliper- six piston calipers even more. Their
individual cost to retro fit them is approximately $35 per piston. We also highly recommend that when fitted, seals be replaced at the same time.
Currently (11/02) an update kit for the BSL sells for $320 for example.
Rotors-
Standard rotors: Available in a variety of sizes, the standard rotor is a uni-directional rotor which has straight vane internal venting properties. High
grade cast iron from major manufactures, these rotors can be had with either gas slotting or drilled options, as well as plating.
Directional Vaned or DV rotors: Directional vaned rotors are an improved version of the standard part above. They offer curved vanes cast into their
center venting area and are able to pump more air than the straight vane part. Again, gas slotting, plating or drilling are available.
Wilwood Performance Rotors: A bit of a mis-nomer in our mind, these rotors are more eye candy appeal than true performance. They offer a drilled
and slotted and pre plated version of the 12.2" size rotor. Available as straight vaned or standard only, they are extremely light weight, good looking and
affordable. We do not however consider them to be a rotor suited to extended track use. Fine for drag racers who have their cars on a diet or those on
the show circuits.
Ultralite Rotors: A substitute for some of the above rotors, they are available as straight vaned rotors without the holes and sex appeal of the
Performance parts. By special order, they are a decent idea for those who autocross or daily street use who want the weight savings without the holes.
Solid Rotors: Used on some kits for rear applications where space is limited, caliper options few or more rotor is simply not required. They are available
in a vast number of sizes and thickness'. Standard on our Focus Conversion, they fit the stock caliper and retain the parking brake while adding
significantly to the appearance by way of their two piece (hat and rotor) design. Solid rotors can be had slotted, drilled and or plated to match other rotors.
Which rotors are for me? Depends on your application, budget and wants. The base kits are sold with Standard rotors to keep costs down and are very
much capable of handling the day to day driving of most customers. Adding DV rotors to the order will enhance the cooling properties of the rotor but not
at low to moderate speeds. Those doing more than a few track events a year will see the benefits of this improved cooling more than the daily driver.
Since most kits are also available in more than one diameter, these options can become a bit complicated, the Performance rotor is available only in the
12.2" size. The larger kits using the 13" rotor are available only with Directional Vaned. While we continue to offer the flexibility to mix and match many
of the above products to meet your needs we cannot always do this easily or affordably. Consider the 13" rotor, drilled and plated would sell as a custom
order for an additional $190 while the 'off the shelf' Performance rotor would add only $75 to a 12.2" kit order.
As always, we strive to meet your custom goals at any time. We will be happy to discuss your needs from simple, affordable street applications to all out
race applications. There are additional caliper options (upwards of $1500 each!) as well as custom hats and rotor configurations available.
Due to the expanded kit offerings by our company we find it necessary to produce a page of information on the various calipers and options to them that are available to fit
most of the TCE kits. One of the key benefits to the TCE kits is the ability to substitute many of the below calipers for one another. This being the flexibility of our products.
Base kits are designed to meet the needs of most customers, but there are a number of alternatives and upgrades to choose from also.
Calipers-
Billet Superlite or BSL: The lightest offering in the Superlite line of calipers, offering a differential bore in some cases, open bridge design. This caliper
offers an extremely attractive look to our brake kits and ample stopping power for most applications. For those who want good looks and very light weight
this is it. **Available with Thermlock Pistons in many applications.
Billet NDL or NDL: This caliper is similar to the BSL above in that it is of a billet aluminum design and is extremely light weight. Its compact size makes
it fit in tight areas that other calipers won't. Not available with differential bores however. Found on the Contour and Focus kits at this time, it has ample
clamping force to meet the needs of most street/strip applications and offers some piston areas not available on the other calipers. **Thermlock Pistons
available separately only.
Billet Superlite Six or BSL6: This is the Mother of all the Billet Superlite calipers. It's differential bore, six piston power offers a modest increase in piston
area over the standard BSL, has a stiff, closed bridge design, and good looks to boot. It does require additional spoke clearance over the BSL as its outer
body is nearly 1/4" wider. An excellent choice for those who want to 'step up' the race track worthy performance and have the wheel room to fit it. This
caliper requires a slightly different pad plate than the other Superlites. **Available with Thermlock Pistons and SS heat shields.
Superlite IIA or SLIIA: The original Superlite caliper, this unit can be substituted on many of the TCE kits for those who are on a budget and want the
benefits of a closed bridge caliper. Stiffer, heavier and quick change cotter pins make this an affordable alternative for more race than street applications.
This is a cast caliper and thus does not have the appeal of the Billet ones above. **Thermlock Pistons available separately.
Superlite III or SLIII: The staple of the Lightning kits where additional piston area is required. This is a race bred caliper with differential bores, and SS
heat shields build in. A cast caliper it has a closed bridge and very stiff design. **Also available with Thermlock Pistons.
Cast NDL or CNDL: A cast aluminum version of the NDL, this caliper is targeted more to those who need a stiffer design of this popular caliper. It's
closed bridge design and heavier construction make it track worthy. Non differential bore applications and quick release pads are a benefit. **Thermlock
Pistons available separately.
Grand National III or GNIII: This caliper is a six piston upgrade to the SLIII offered on the Lightning kits. It's six piston design offers extreme clamp loads
with increased piston area. The pads for this caliper are much larger then the standard SL parts. **Available with Thermlock Pistons.
New! Forged Superlite: Soon to be released this caliper will offer a balance between the BSL and SLIIA part by combining reduced weight without
sacrificing caliper rigidity or stiffness. Plans call for only a same bore design at this time however. Its outward appearance is closer to the cast appearing
SLIIA but with a more modern look. Superior grain structure in the forging promises a strong caliper in a compact design.
Coming Soon! Sealed Superlites: After much discussion with Wilwood, TCE and others have convinced Wilwood to address the issue of non booted
or sealed piston calipers. While we have never found this to be a legitimate issue, some folks still feel that a non dust booted caliper is simply not
applicable for street kits. This is being addressed and more details on this caliper and it construction and sizing will be forthcoming.
**Thermlock Pistons: So, what are they and who needs them? Wilwood's exclusive Thermlock Pistons replace or substitute for the standard Stainless
Steel pistons found in all base kits. These are specially designed, multi piece caliper pistons that are used to dramatically reduce caliper and fluid
temperatures from the back of the brake pad. The insulation provided by these parts can keep fluid temps in check under the most extreme uses. Many
of the calipers above can be had directly from Wilwood with this option as well as SS heat shields in the caliper body to further reduce and reflect the
radiant heat. Thermlock pistons are not included on our base kits simply due to their cost and the fact that most street driven applications do not need
them. They should be considered primarily for those kits which will see more than the occasional track day and where air flow is hindered. If you have
fluid boiling problems they can be retro fitted at any time in the future. They are not available as a standard option on all calipers and thus may require
individual purchase. Cost of this option vary by caliper but generally add between $85 and $135 to each caliper- six piston calipers even more. Their
individual cost to retro fit them is approximately $35 per piston. We also highly recommend that when fitted, seals be replaced at the same time.
Currently (11/02) an update kit for the BSL sells for $320 for example.
Rotors-
Standard rotors: Available in a variety of sizes, the standard rotor is a uni-directional rotor which has straight vane internal venting properties. High
grade cast iron from major manufactures, these rotors can be had with either gas slotting or drilled options, as well as plating.
Directional Vaned or DV rotors: Directional vaned rotors are an improved version of the standard part above. They offer curved vanes cast into their
center venting area and are able to pump more air than the straight vane part. Again, gas slotting, plating or drilling are available.
Wilwood Performance Rotors: A bit of a mis-nomer in our mind, these rotors are more eye candy appeal than true performance. They offer a drilled
and slotted and pre plated version of the 12.2" size rotor. Available as straight vaned or standard only, they are extremely light weight, good looking and
affordable. We do not however consider them to be a rotor suited to extended track use. Fine for drag racers who have their cars on a diet or those on
the show circuits.
Ultralite Rotors: A substitute for some of the above rotors, they are available as straight vaned rotors without the holes and sex appeal of the
Performance parts. By special order, they are a decent idea for those who autocross or daily street use who want the weight savings without the holes.
Solid Rotors: Used on some kits for rear applications where space is limited, caliper options few or more rotor is simply not required. They are available
in a vast number of sizes and thickness'. Standard on our Focus Conversion, they fit the stock caliper and retain the parking brake while adding
significantly to the appearance by way of their two piece (hat and rotor) design. Solid rotors can be had slotted, drilled and or plated to match other rotors.
Which rotors are for me? Depends on your application, budget and wants. The base kits are sold with Standard rotors to keep costs down and are very
much capable of handling the day to day driving of most customers. Adding DV rotors to the order will enhance the cooling properties of the rotor but not
at low to moderate speeds. Those doing more than a few track events a year will see the benefits of this improved cooling more than the daily driver.
Since most kits are also available in more than one diameter, these options can become a bit complicated, the Performance rotor is available only in the
12.2" size. The larger kits using the 13" rotor are available only with Directional Vaned. While we continue to offer the flexibility to mix and match many
of the above products to meet your needs we cannot always do this easily or affordably. Consider the 13" rotor, drilled and plated would sell as a custom
order for an additional $190 while the 'off the shelf' Performance rotor would add only $75 to a 12.2" kit order.
As always, we strive to meet your custom goals at any time. We will be happy to discuss your needs from simple, affordable street applications to all out
race applications. There are additional caliper options (upwards of $1500 each!) as well as custom hats and rotor configurations available.
