Show whole topic May 21, 2016 2:07 pm
h14 Offline
Member
Registered since: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Chalandray, France


Subject: V12 & LG6 brake drums; lightened v standard?
Both my V12 and LG6 have the lightened chassis with flared holes. The V12 has lightened drums, as the Le Mans cars, with 6 large holes, covered with sprung aluminium discs.

The LG6 has the same lightened drums on the rear axle, but standard undrilled drums at the front. Perhaps it had drilled drums all round originally and the standard ones are replacements. This is perhaps born out in that the rear drums are stamped "96" and "97", corresponding with those numbers on the hub flange, whereas the fronts are crudely centre punched "O" and "N".

Out of interest, I've weighed the drums and the drilled ones weigh 21 lbs, whilst the standard ones come in at 26 lbs.

I'm thinking that the car would be better served with the lightened drums on the front (I'm assuming they will prove interchangeable!). Less unsprung weight making the independent front suspension more efficient, and will also help me get the car's weight distribution nearer 50/50 front/rear.

Anyone think of a good reason for keeping things as they are? Just slightly worried that the front drums are standard; could this mean there were problems with the drilled ones. The front brakes are of course more highly loaded than the rears. The car is now a special, with shortened chassis and very light body, so the car weighs considerably less than it would have done as a saloon; so the brakes will have a less demanding life.

Laurence