Ferrari 308 - Front Brake Calipers / upgrade | FerrariChat

Ferrari 308 - Front Brake Calipers / upgrade

Discussion in '308/328' started by robo330, Feb 23, 2018.

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  1. robo330

    robo330 Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2014
    608
    Michigan USA
    Full Name:
    Karl Robertson
    Hello.
    Has anyone had experience upgrading the Front Brake Calipers on a 308 / 328?
    I have an Alfa Romeo Montreal and the Front Calipers are ATE. I replaced them with ATE Calipers from BMW, and the results were great. Wonder if I could do something similar with the Ferrari 308 QV I have. Thanks, if anyone knows or has done this. I went looking for a thread but couldn't find anything.
     
  2. 19055

    19055 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2014
    493
    Netherlands, Europe
    Full Name:
    Emile
    I fitted the "big brake package" from Superformance:

    http://www.superformance.co.uk/308/brakes.html

    When using "fresh discs, brakepads and fluid" there is not much wrong with the stock brakes, (that is on the public road) however I like the "bite" of this stuff, the stopping power is really good and I find the thought of having "overkill" on the brakes a very nice one. They require 16" rims, by the way.
     
  3. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,813
    Ohio
    Full Name:
    Dave Meredith
  4. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    35,282
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    I have the Brembo kit.

    The pads are the same as used on a Viper. It made an impressive difference back when I tracked it a lot and it didn't require a change in bias for how I used it. It's been on now for about 15 years.

    Thing Is, if you can lock up the wheels now if you want, What more do you need for the street?
     
  5. sp1der

    sp1der F1 Rookie

    Jan 10, 2009
    3,005
    UK
    Full Name:
    Simon Ashley
    Image Unavailable, Please Login Have 355 calipers on mine originally with 355 discs but now 2 piece, required some adaptors but made a big improvement to response of the brakes. Easilt firs within 16" wheel.
     
  6. SJP 5

    SJP 5 Karting

    Jun 7, 2015
    93
    Fitted 355 calipers and discs with adaptors supplied by QV who I believe developed the upgrade .
     
  7. AaronMeisner

    AaronMeisner Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2014
    267
    Baltimore MD USA
    Full Name:
    Aaron Meisner
    My OEM front calipers were in need of replacement or at least a rebuild. I tried everything and then switched out to the Superformance kit last summer. My impression is that they work MUCH better and thus require some getting used to. The same pedal pressure that will sort of stop the car on (my) OEM setup will immediately lock the Superformance brakes. It takes a little getting used to, but the results are outstanding.

    The kit comes with a set of braided steel lines. These are different from the OEM lines, so if you have invested in SS front lines for OEM calipers before, well, you have some nice lines that you can pack away with your OEM calipers for the next owner.

    I did not go with the Superformance rear brakes--just did the fronts. I can't say that I am noticing horrible bias issues, but would be interested in what others have found.

    Pro Tip: Before you order something expensive from England, check the value of the pound vs dollar. If you look at a chart of FXB and it's pointing down, that's a good time to spend money at Superformance. When it looks over-extended to the upside, you may want to wait for a pullback.
     
  8. onboost

    onboost Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2004
    758
    DC Metro area

    QV.. ? How does one find?

    Also assume you only upgraded the fronts as the rears you loose the parking brake with most upgrades.

    Thx
     
  9. GavC

    GavC Formula Junior

    May 9, 2004
    492
    Lincolnshire, Englan
    Full Name:
    Gavin Culshaw
    Q.V. London are a specialist Indy in London well Windsor.
    qvlondon.co.uk
     
  10. dinonz308

    dinonz308 Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 26, 2017
    857
    Full Name:
    Dean
    Did you guys install both the front and rear kits, or just the fronts?
     
  11. SJP 5

    SJP 5 Karting

    Jun 7, 2015
    93
    Hello onboost,
    I just did a front 355 caliper and disc upgrade as I needed to keep handbrake,if one could call it one!
    I do not track my car but have found this upgrade a vast improvement for road use.
    You can find QV Ascot on Google,run by Mike and Phil who are two great blokes who live and breathe Ferrari and are always willing to offer advice and guide you.
    I would not hesitate in recommending them.,
     
  12. 19055

    19055 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2014
    493
    Netherlands, Europe
    Full Name:
    Emile
    I used to have six-pod's TarOx calipers and rotors on my car, both front and rear. Fitted them back in 1997 or so. Some 3 years ago I needed new rotors for the front, which were NLA. So I fitted the Superformance set in the front, (The TarOx calipers found a good new home on one of my Alfa Romeo racers) the rear still has the TarOx calipers and rotors. The OEM calipers on the rear are still fitted for use of the parking brake. So I have no experience with brake-balance between front and rear, when using "big brake's" only in the front with stock brakes on the rear end. But given the fact that a 308 has a lot of weight in the back and the rear stock calipers are rather small, I can imagine the back to lock up more easily on heavy braking, with just "big brakes" in the front.
     
  13. onboost

    onboost Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2004
    758
    DC Metro area
    Interesting as the 355 caliper (Brembo) appears to be the same as that of several Porsche models
    Anyone have a Brembo part number, or part number for the pads being used.. non-stock pads preferable. How about diameters of the piston, note that they can be different sizes.. 4 piston caliper 2 leading pistons may be larger than two aft pistons or vise-versa. Just a thought of cross referencing.
     
  14. sp1der

    sp1der F1 Rookie

    Jan 10, 2009
    3,005
    UK
    Full Name:
    Simon Ashley
    Try Superformance they have several pad types listed for the 355, will measure front caliper piston diameters as have a spare set not on the car
     
  15. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
    6,081
    Southeast USA
    Full Name:
    Mike Charness

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