Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Been looking at upgrading the brakes on my 70 gmc. Right now it has 2” drop spindles with 72 stock calipers and rear drums with 6 lugs but want to move to 5 lug.

Right now I’m putting in a 383 that should be somewhere around 480hp/480tq it’s all forged and plan on potentially adding a vortech supercharger later which has me looking at better brake options. I was debating doing wilwood d52 front calipers and potentially Cadillac d52 rear discs but also wondering if I should switch to the Forged Narrow Superlite 6R six-piston calipers which I get I have to move to wilwood spindles.

Just hoping to hear if the superlites really are a big improvement over the wilwood d52 calipers as it’s a big price jump.

This is a driver so no racing but the highways here in Texas are 80mph so with the extra horsepower just wondering what’s the right approach.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Here is a thread that has brake caliper comparison charts showing clamping force. It may help you decide. The big benefit of the Wilwood six piston calipers come from being able to run larger rotors requiring 18 inch or larger wheels. The six pistons allow a larger pad to have more consistent clamping force across the pad for better wear in repeated maximum brake usage. (i.e. racing.)

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...clamping+force

I recommend contacting Kore3 for their recommendations.

https://www.kore3.com/index.php

P.S. I am setting up my 72 Firebird autocross car with D52's on the front. 500hp and 3400 lbs.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

I put the Wilwood D52 replacements on my c20 didnt notice any difference in braking performance. My opinion is they are just for looks no added performance.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Here is a discussion on the Wilwood D52 two piston calipers. The lighter your vehicle is the more likely you would see an improvement with the two piston calipers over the regular GM D52's. Another improvement over the GM version is less flexing of the caliper. That in conjunction with two pistons mean the pads will wear more evenly in race applications. It's not likely this benefit would be apparent on a strictly street driven vehicle.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...an-stock-D52-s

Wilwood also makes single piston D52 style calipers with smaller bores for racing that requires maintaining a stock style caliper.

For 3/4 ton brake upgrades I would look to mid 80's spindle swaps with c20 heavy duty brakes. That would get you bigger rotors and the caliper piston size increases from 2 15/16" to 3 5/32".

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777221

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

On my 68 C10 and other hot rods I have used C5 Corvette front discs and 2002 Camaro rear discs with great results.
I sourced the C5 brackets from Custom Works a vendor on this forum. 13" discs.
The Camaro rear discs are 12". Built in e-brake.
That's combo I'm running on my current 80 Camaro project. Yes you need 18" wheels.
But on my 68 I was running 20" wheels so the 13" rotors looked a bit small. So after some investigation I found out that the C5 ZO6 front discs are 14"but still use the standard C5 caliper. I made new caliper brackets spacing calipers out 1/2". They bolted right up.
The plus part about using the C5/Camaro stuff is replacement parts are only as far away as the local parts store.
Having said the above my go to guy for brake advice is Tobin at Kore3.com.
Pic of the 14" C5/Z06 front brakes.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Interesting. I did d52 wilwoods in my suburban. I think the pedal feels better but was not sure if it was just the ss lines.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Thanks I will have to check this out. Sounds like a solid upgrade if the cost is not too high

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

I also used SS flex lines but they were on the truck prior to the swap . My peddle feels the same . I’m probably going to get new GM units and put these on my 68 since it has wheels you can see the rotors and calipers get some bragging rights :lol:. The 20 has stock rims so they are hidden .

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Your stock 72 calipers and pads were made to stop a truck going downhill with a 1/2 ton load. So I'd say they should work OK if the calipers are in good condition and the pads are a brand name. I've used Wagner semi-metallics for years on various older vehicles, but don't know if they are still available.

However, I also like just about anything made by Wilwood. I used their basic 4-piston calipers and pads with 11.75" rotors on a 55 Chevy car, and later added their 7/8" bore master cylinder. Rears were 67-74 Camaro 9.5" drums and shoes. Best non-power brakes I've ever had! (Well, except for a 74 911.)

Check this out as another aftermarket option:
https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Br...p&option=4+x+2

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

So just another note. I use stainless flex lines all around.
Also on my 68 C10 and my other hot rods I use a C5 brake booster and a 2002 Camaro master with a Wilwood prop valve. The C5 booster is a dual diaphram booster.
Also make sure you have enough vacuum to run power brakes.
Pic of my 68 and my 80 Camaro.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

What are you using for a hub?

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

ive been looking at this kit, really depends on how big your wheels are


https://azproperformance.com/collect...-64-87-c10-suv

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

For the 68 I used a hub from a vendor (at least at that time) on here.
You'll have to do a search on here for C5 brakes. It also changes to a 5 bolt pattern and 4 3/4"bolt circle.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Right now the truck has 17s but I was thinking of robbing the 20 delray detroit steel wheels on my 79 suburban and getting its a different wheel for it.

The c5 brake looks really interesting and I love being able to go to a parts store. I was looking at the cpp x10 spindles but I am trying to figure out if they require cpp calipers and cpp rotors. I hate being stuck into one vendor. Also debating do I go cpp x10 and wilwoods.

Right now I hate my current setup. It has front drop spindles to use the 72 caliper and it has a aftermarket power brake setup (Done before I got it). I went through and did calipers, pads, rotors, and redid the drums. It locks up the wheels no problem. What I hate is the brake pedal is stupid high. I tried to get the brake rod adjusted but it did not do much. I was debating going to manual brakes or use a better power brake setup like https://shop.levelsevenmotorsports.c...43559621165232

The brake booster and thinking of going 5 lug is whats driving the what should I swap to because I need to size the brakes correctly especially with the extra horsepower.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

That is super slick. When you did the c5 boster how much changes did you have to make with the rod for the pedal? My 383 has a mellow cam 225/234 110 LSA so should make good vacuum.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

I guess you've noticed that Wilwood has kits for CPP spindles, but they are stupid expensive.

You know, we have a member here who sells a darn good booster/master cylinder setup with something like 30% more boost than a stock 11" booster. You can do a search to find him. Seems like he knows his stuff.

As for brake pedal height, there are some threads on that subject on this forum. I got my pedal about 1.5" closer to the floor by adjusting the pushrod and then gluing a rubber bumper on my existing pedal return stop. I also had to adjust the brake light switch. Some guys build a new pedal stop.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Yeah the sticker shock is making me reconsider. I did look at the detroit speed spindles that use gmt800 brakes. The spindles are pricey but at least they use gmt800 brakes. https://detroitspeed.com/detroit-spe...SBi7TtJHHI8GBw

waiting for after the holidays to call detroit speed and kore3 to ask more. Understanding the calipers, rotors, and bolt pattern are my biggest concerns. If I can get rotors easily and use 5x5 I wouldnt mind paying 1500 for the kit if I can get the replacement parts easily. The one upside to the wilwood d52 and c5 calipers is easy to get now its just the rotor concern.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Those DSE spindles & hubs might lock you into a vendor (a better one vs CPP IMHO but similar scenario). While they're based on the GMT800 platform, the GMT800 unit bearings are 6-lug so grabbing one at a local parts house (should you have an issue on the road) might complicate things.

One could always keep a spare DSE hub set-up as well.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Yeah seems like all of them lock you in one way or another. The DSE is appealing to use OEM calipers then can move to wilwood later. Wilwood spindles require wilwood brakes. Also I need to call DSE but it looks like GMT900 calipers bolt onto GMT800 which gives factory 4 pistons (2021 tahoe -ACDelco 13545382 & 13545383)

Still need to talk to Kore3 but the DSE with tubular arms to use 73+ ball joints is looking like a solid choice so far.

Thinking
DSE spindle kit for 70
DSE booster or Level 7 willwood kit
Ridetech upper control arms 73+ style
CPP lower control arms 73+ style (going cpp because not sure if I want to do bags or coils later)

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

If you're not looking to go crazy low, how about using lowering springs along with square body spindles, calipers and 1.25" rotors? Not too expensive and you can get parts anywhere. Remember that the 1.25" rotor parts (spindles, calipers, rotors, and inner wheel bearings) are different than the 1" rotor parts.

Also have to add this: I remember thinking my truck sat a little lower after I installed square body spindles with stock 69 springs. That would mean the actual "spindle" sits higher on the steering knuckle (the proper term for the entire part) than on a 69. Again, it's been 30 years since I did it, so I wouldn't swear to it.

On another thread clay68C10 said this: If you go with the thicker rotors, you can run the JB7 calipers. They have a bigger piston but are the same external dimensions.
That's the same external dimensions as the C10 calipers for 1.25" rotors.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Where did you get the rear camaro conversion? I can only find either d52 or 3rd gen camaro. Noting 2002

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

KORE 3 has brackets for 4th GEN F-body brake swaps to 12nolts.

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Why the Ridetech uppers vs CPP if you use CPP lowers?

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

Or can use the stock 2002 rear caliper bracket with minor mods. IIRC there is a couple of writeups over on LS1tech.com. that details the mods that are required.
Another thing about the C5 stuff is that there are tons of brake pads to chose from.
One thing I've thought about if you source the 02 Camaro rear brakes instead paying for V8 rear brakes do the V6 Camaros use the same rear brake set up as a V8 car?

Re: Wilwood d52 vs Superlite 6R
 

I am not sure if I want to stay with the stock springs or go to air bags. I see ridetech has a lower for coils and a lower for airbags. I might snag the ridetech coil lowers for now and I can always put them on my 79 burb that I know will stay coils.

Trying to figure out the brakes on this c1500 and will mirror on my burb when i save up.