Thanks for the kind words, but lets talk calipers.
The DL is a fine part for light duty use. It very compact which helps in fit and is often put on stock rotors due to it's sizing abilities.
The NDL is a somewhat upscale version of the DL. This is a DL body but uses Superlite mounting pattern. Thus it fits all of the kit options when running a full size caliper is out of the question. And can be used up to 13" also. The advantage of the NDL over the DL is pad thickness. The DL has a pad of .490 where as the NDL has a pad which is .630 thick. That means less heat to the caliper body.
Next on the food chain is the FSL. A 'full size' caliper it has more body, stiffer build design and pads which are .800 thick. Just keep visioning stretching a caliper. The pads are also much larger so they last longer.
Lateral moves take you to the BSL6 or 6n. The full size six is about 3/8" our closer to your wheel than the FSL. Or maybe an inch + compared to the DL! The newer 6n is a more compact version of this caliper and is actually slightly narrower than the FSL. But how can this be you ask? Easy, the bridge is narrower and the pads thinner as well as the pistons shorter. Think putting a BSL6 in a vise. Bad news for heavy track users where pad material matters most. Also it's made for the 1.10 rotor so we fudge it on the .81 and then it's narrow-ness is not as effective in actuality. Good news for most folks who need the clearance, want the six but lack some room. Daily driver, occasional track day, not a race part.
The question or problem is often not what caliper you want or need but what caliper you can FIT. The Contour is only so-so for this. The preferred FSL set ups won't come close to fitting stock wheels. Also if you ever build with wider rotors like the 1.10 you compromise this even more. The rotor has to come 'out' so not to hit the suspension, thus the caliper comes with it....
From here it get's crazy. You can do the new STR caliper if you like. They run about $2200 each. But hey, the piston area is right, you'll just need about 2" wheel spacers. lol
And that pad noise can be perhaps eliminated with the Q pads, what are you running now? I'm thinking the older T pads. Give me a call, I'll do you right on some Qs if you need them.
Last edited by Todd TCE; 05/04/04 01:30 PM.
