[Doc_S]

A question for you racers out there who have to stick with a stock calipers. Does removing the backing plates improve cooling? Are there any issues without backing plates in the rain?

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Doc_S

A question for you racers out there who have to stick with a stock calipers. Does removing the backing plates improve cooling? Are there any issues without backing plates in the rain?

from what i understand they simply reduce noise, perhaps 'set' the pads keeping them from moving around as much, reducing noise

some use titanium shims to reduce heat transfer

[Doc_S]

Sorry Otto, I meant the shields behind the rotors. Not sure what they are actually called.

I just ordered some titanium shields from girodisc.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Doc_S

Sorry Otto, I meant the shields behind the rotors. Not sure what they are actually called.

I just ordered some titanium shields from girodisc.

oh, those

i guess they would be a shield of some kind, or air flow control

titainium - trying to shave off a little more weight are you?

hum, maybe i should get some too!

[trytryagain]

Probably more resistant to heat too!

[Vicegrip]

Few end up sticking with heat insulators like the Stainless or Titanium plates. They soon find that their use only leads to roasted pads and little to no reduction in heat related issues. They don't lower the overall heat load only prevent some from getting to the caliper.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

Few end up sticking with heat insulators like the Stainless or Titanium plates. They soon find that their use only leads to roasted pads and little to no reduction in heat related issues. They don't lower the overall heat load only prevent some from getting to the caliper.

yes, that is what i understand too


i do wonder if the stainless steel pistion upgrade works at all, however, since i am thinking i need to do a calibler rebuild anyway

if nothing else, it seems like the ss pistions would be better than aluminum pistons

but these are not cheap, about $650 for all four wheels in kit form

dirk is right, cooling is key, and what works - ducts, floating rotors, larger floating rotors, better braking technique

[TomChan]

Originally Posted by Doc_S

Does removing the backing plates improve cooling?

Depends on the car. Most newer cars have brake ducting that directs air flow at a focused point. By removing the backing plates on such cars causes the channeled air to scatter thus defeating the purpose of the ducting. Unless a new ducting system is designed for no backing plates. On rotors that don't have enough cooling vanes(or none at all) or for lower speed use like autoX(not turning the rotor vanes at high enough rotation speed) then removing the backing plates will allow some heat to vent.

Originally Posted by Doc_S

Are there any issues without backing plates in the rain?

Might give up a fraction of a second of initial braking grip if driving in a monsoon.

[BikePump]

Originally Posted by Doc_S

A question for you racers out there who have to stick with a stock calipers. Does removing the backing plates improve cooling? Are there any issues without backing plates in the rain?

i run without them on my car ('99) without cooling issues. But everyone is different. I know Holder has heat issues on his car with nearly identical setup

[DaveInMD]

Originally Posted by vranko

I think the Gen I cars are a little less susceptible (less PSM activity) or my technique is just superior

Since I seem to have a very similar set up to you and don't have overheating issues anymore, let's go with superior technique!