Best single line aftermarket brake caliper

[Pedrocalima]

So continuing the long chain of surprises when going to change tires and balance wheels we noticed that the brake calipers that are on our 2002 use only one line. the other one was both ends loose.

Looks like the PO has changed the calipers for some crap aftermarket Brazilian ones and the brake main cylinder also to a cheap local one.

Our situation now is that to return everything to stock will cost us a lot. We are looking for the best caliper that would fit into a 13 inch well that uses only one brake line and would work well. The idea is to look for something easily available, type a VW, FORD, GM, etc caliper.

Haw anyone done something like this before? Any guidance would be REALLY appreciated.

 

One side question, what is the benefit of a double break line going to the caliper instead of one line line on modern 4 piston calipers?

 

Cheers! 

[EPK]

This article may help. I have no idea what the Volvo upgrade costs but here you go...

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/articles.html/technical-articles/brakes/vented-brakes-upgrade-r10/

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[Pedrocalima]

Hi EPK,

 

I have read that thread and I guess it will cost even more and be harder to find old Volvo parts than BMW parts in Brazil ?

 

It looks like a nice upgrade but don't think it's viable for us right now.

 

Thanks for the help anyway!

[AceAndrew]

1)The simplest solution is to look for a stock early single-line caliper set to rebuild.  It will mount to the stock solid rotor with the face-mounted wheel hub.

 

2)the second solution is to swap over the stock late e21 setup, including hubs (given it is mounted behind the rotor), rotors, and calipers.  This is still a solid rotor (like stock 2002), but you get a bit more mass.  I have not done this swap before, and am unaware if a slightly different lateral dimension exists.

 

3)From there you go up to kits which utilize the e21 vented rotor and hub (but different calipers).  These are a true upgrade in the classic sense. However, you need to consider figment with the 13’s

  A). Best fit+lightest Alfa Brembo aluminum calipers.  These can be tricky to source, but there are ($$) reproductions available from Centerline Alfa.

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/152898763@N04/albums/72157698889159181

 B).  IE wilwood kit.  These are easily available and fairly reasonable.  If you are able to source the e21 hubs/rotors on your own, IE will sell you just the brackets and calipers.

 C).  Volvo kit.  This is very common, but it is the least likely to clear your 13’s (especially if your aren’t use calipers with repositioned mounting points).  They are a couple variations, one of which I believe is  meant for a vented rotor and a single line feed.  Typically this is a dual line feed kit, so you will need to specify.

 

 

...... or you could swap back to a dual line system.... it may end up being the easiest/simplest.

 

Hope this helps.(typing this from physics class, so please forgive typos.  I will edit later.)

-Andrew

 

Edited September 18, 2019 by AceAndrew

[arminyack]

Like Andrew says, Alfa aluminum front calipers are the easiest, but have just gotten too rare, and too damn expensive....case in point below

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alfa-Romeo-GTV6-75-BREMBO-FRONT-ALUMINIUM-CALIPERS-RIGHT-LEFT-NEW/143148567577?hash=item215451cc19:g:FCsAAOSwO5JdH~fp

[roadhog0]

I've got some single pot calipers off a 1600. Need rebuild.

When I had my 1600 I saw seriously considering Option #2 from Andrew above. Everything I could find put it as bolt up. You may even be able to use the calipers as they sit and not have to change rotors (not sure on this, I didn't get that far).

[Mike Self]

According to my old BMWCCA Tech Tips book (1976), a caliper from an Opel GT of about the same vintage (68-73) uses the same bolt-up pattern and same brake pads as the single brake line calipers from a single master cylinder-equipped (that would be a pre-1969 US spec car) 1600 or 2002   If the Opel GT used it, other Opel Kadettes of the same vintage should have the same ones.  

 

Dunno if Opels were manufactured in Brazil at that time, but if so, you should be able to find the requisite caliper.

 

cheers, and happy hunting

mike

[ray_]

9 hours ago, roadhog0 said:

I've got some single pot calipers off a 1600. Need rebuild.

When I had my 1600 I saw seriously considering Option #2 from Andrew above. Everything I could find put it as bolt up. You may even be able to use the calipers as they sit and not have to change rotors (not sure on this, I didn't get that far).

I did Andrew's option 2 on my (then) 1600. I don't recall  having to swap hubs....

 

Cheers,

[HBChris]

I used the 78 e21 single line caliper which uses stock 02 rotors, no hubs need to be changed unless you go to vented rotors.  This was on my early 69 with the single line master.  Scroll down in the link.

 

 

[ray_]

And I think it was you, Chris, who stepped me through that! But those emails are archived... somewhere!

 

Cheers!

[AceAndrew]

That's really know! That's the one setup, I'm obviously not as well versed on.  Thank you for the edumacation.