Tuning PROJECT: Improved front brakes for standard 15" wheels

[Yellofrankcar]

Hi,

After (23) years of doubting (yep first owner), I would like to see if it is possible to upgrade the front brakes of my '97 Barchetta. :wave:
Prevision is that the upgrade must fit within the 15 inch original rims.
This because in Belgium it is not allowed to mount different size rims (MOT rejection).

I also want the new front brakes to be barely distinguishable from the original, this to avoid annoying comments during the yearly MOT.

After a lot of research (thanks to COVID-f****g 19 ) I assume it is obvious to base the brake upgrade on the well-known 281/26mm discs or the even more common 284/22mm discs and corresponding calipers & caliper brackets.
My "fear" is that there is not enough space to mount an adapter as the holes of the steering knuckle are, very likely, to close to the holes of the caliper bracket.

Does anyone have any experience/ideas with this potential upgrade let me know.
Any comment, question, remark, idea etc. is welcome!

Have looked at most barchetta/punto fora but couldn't find a similar solution.

For clarity: I'm not looking for a track day high performance front brake upgrade but merely a standard looking, better performing brake upgrade (better performance and a much better fade resistant brake for in the Italian dolomites).

Regards,

Frank

 

[s130]

If it is mainly fade resistance you are after then I would look at seeing what options you have for ducting air into the rear side of the wheels. If you have early "B" solid pressed steel wheels then they offer no airflow so change these for more open alloys.

We go to the Dolomites every year (except this year .....) and braking has not been an issue in any of the cars we have gone in however when descending we let the engine do all the braking and don't rush down. Blast up if you want to but descend more leisurely.

For those who have not visited the dolomites and wonder what all the fuss is about then take a look at my wife's website: https://www.marmotta-photoart.co.uk/la_ital_index.htm

 

[jimboy]

Hi Yell, first of all I would start with basics, and it’s quite surprising what you can do by servicing the whole system. Make sure all callipers are working freely, check all hoses, I would even replace if they look a bit suspect. Set of grippy pads on the front, that’s where most of the braking gets done and bleed the system. Take it from there. I have a Fiat Coupe and recently had all four callipers refurbished, what a difference.

Sorry can’t help regarding what can fit behind 15 inch wheels.

 

[Yellofrankcar]

Guys,

I change the brake fluid every 2 years, have changed all caliper seals 3 years ago, have Brembo discs, Brembo pads and have Hell teflon brake lines ... my brakes are fine, just I would like to upgrade them.
Take a contemporary car like an Abarth 500 in it's most standard (read: cheap) form: 284mm discs and she weighs exactly as much as our B.
Also both are very front wheel oriented.

So I think it's all in all an improvement, a 284mm discs effectively have a 25% larger surface area (radiation) and 47% greater air flow (convection) than the 257mm discs.
They also have 12.5% more braking power at the same brake pressure.

And important, for me, they have to fit under my original 15inch alu wheels and must be as unobtrusive as possible (read: look like factory standard anno 1997).

Frank

 

[Yellofrankcar]

Has no one really ever tried to mount 284mm discs (or the 281mm) with corresponding calipers on a Barchetta?

Frank

 

[gar074]

I vaguely remember someone on here (was it Doc? or maybe Superspotter?) doing a brake upgrade. Have you searched through the old threads? (I'm talking about at least 5+ years ago, possibly even 10).

 

[KC3]

Hiya , long time to come on the forum, wishing all well.

With regards to brakes , if you plan to keep the 15inch wheels, then all you could do as upgrade is change caliper to the newer model, slightly better and upgrade the brake pipes. this will help a little. mine is a 96 model and originally i first did this modification and it helped. After getting bigger wheels i then got bigger disck and bigger brembo brakes. Much Bigger difference . If you look into progect silver there should be photos of the change. and the diferent calipers.