355 Race Technologies: Brembo GT Big Brake kit. 4-pot/355mm all around. Now or never.

Ok. I’ve been in recent talks with Race Technologies here in OC, who is one of the key Brembo distributors in NA, in regards to a big brake setup for my 355.

https://www.racetechnologies.com/products/brakekits/1995/ferrari/f355-0?vehicle=8201

They only offer setups/combinations that have been “approved” or recommended by Brembo Italy. In short, if you want a GT 4-pot/ 355mm disc setup all around, they don’t offer it for the F355. They only offer a 332mm setup all around if going with the 4-pot, but ironically, they do offer a 355mm 4-pot setup for the rear, BUT not for the front. I find that odd. If you want a 355mm disc up front, you need to go with their recommended 6-pot caliper selections.

Oddly enough, their selection for the Ferrari F40 does offer a GT 4-pot/355mm all around setup. F355 Challenge cars also run 4-pot/355mm all around. Stoptech also offers a 4-pot/355mm setup all around, but I much prefer the Brembo brand.


Response from Race Technologies:

“Hello Ken,


I can request with engineering to see if it may be possible. But to do custom 1-off applications, it requires setup fees. Would likely run an extra $2500.00 if it were approved by Brembo.

The 4-piston would require a different bracket designed than the 6-piston.


The 332mm disc would require a smaller bell, and a newly designed bell to support the larger 355mm disc. As well as a new bracket to relocate the caliper over the larger disc.



In this case, a 4-piston on a larger 355mm would require all new machine parts to be made to support the unique newly size system.“


BTW. I’ve been told, but haven’t confirmed… the F40 LM and F355 Challenge uses the same brake setup front and rear and also the same 355/32mm discs with the same hats. Only thing different between the cars is the mounting brackets.


$2500 setup fee is a bit steep. If I can get 4 others interested in this setup to split up the $2500 ($500 each) that would certainly help.


I think the 4-pot GT caliper from Brembo, which is based off the F40/F50 caliper is one of the more fitting selections for our cars.

*If you like the Type-3 disc (like I do), it is only offered in 355mm sizing.


Who’s in?
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Not the best photos (the brakes are on in the zoomed out photo).. but why not just get the stoptech kit?
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I prefer Brembos mainly for looks as Ferrari/Brembo goes hand in hand.

 

As I take weight out of the car I find I'm less motivated to go to bigger brakes but if I did I would do carbon.

 

FWIW I love my Brembo BBK, and would have maybe considered this option if I hadn’t already pursued my existing setup.

Here is a picture for those wanting to see 355mm front and rear. I ended up doing GT-S front and then OE F50 (GT) rear to match.
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What would be the total cost?

I can get the stoptech 4 piston 355mmF/332mmR kits for about $3600 shipped

 

The OP link at the top has the prices.

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The stock calipers are the same that came on a number of Porsche cars. There may be other options out there if people have the desire and time to do more digging.

 

The Brembo GT caliper is almost identical to the Ferrari F50 caliper, hence it being known as the "F50" caliper.

 

How much are Stoptechs 355mm all around?

 

Stock calipers can’t fit a 355mm 2-piece rotor, unless I’m mistaken.

The only other comparable option is to use F40/F50 calipers and piece a kit together yourself with custom brackets for the 355.

 

Stock rotors weigh roughly 16 lbs each. Maybe closer to 17lbs if non drilled.

A Brembo 355/32 mm rotor with hat weighs roughly 16 lbs.

 

355 challenge Brembos use the same brackets front and rear (unless I'm mistaken). Any reason why the rear bracket for the GT 4-pot 355mm setup wouldn't just simply work upfront as well? Am I missing something here?

 

I’d be curious if you can get the P/N for the GT-6 front bracket. We can compare it to the P/N for my rear bracket. Not 100% that they’re cross compatible, but if they are both the same number you’ve answered your question.

 

My understanding is the 6-pot and the 4-pot most likely does not share the same bracket as they are different calipers. However, I don't see why a 4-pot front and a 4-pot rear doesn't share the same bracket on a 355.

From their response, it seems a GT 4-pot with a 332mm rotor uses a different bracket than a GT 4-pot with a 355mm rotor. Since they already offer a GT 4-pot 355mm solution for the rear (but not front)... my hunch is that same bracket should work up front simply because in every package I've seen where the calipers are the same all 4 corners for the 355, the brackets are also the same all around. If this works, this would save the $2500 fee.

My thinking:

GT 4-pot (F) w/ 355/32mm and hats from the F40 front setup. Use brackets from the 355 GT 4-pot/355mm rear.

GT 4-pot (R) w 355/32mm <--- standard offering from Brembo.


355's in Japan are using F40/F50 calipers front and rear with 355/32mm rotors no issues. I just don't know where they're getting the brackets.

http://www.tubistylejapan.com/MODIFYbrakecaliper.htm

"[348 / F355 brembo brake kit]

F50 caliper & 355mm rotor (for black caliper)

Front only \ 418.950
Rear only \ 420.000

(Caliper color can be freely selected)
Delivery time approx. 3 weeks
testarossa, 512TR, F512M compatible To do."

 

https://www.racetechnologies.com/products/brakekits/1991/ferrari/f40-excluding-lm-0?vehicle=8210

Here is the recommended GT 4-pot 355mm Front and Rear setup for the Ferrari F40. This setup should equally apply to the 355 except for the mounting brackets.

 

My point earlier was that there are probably BBK brackets and calipers that are for Porsche cars that would bolt right up to the 348/355. Again, the calipers for the 348/355 are the same that were used on some Porsche cars.

I did Porsche Big Reds with the 550 330mm rotors from Girodisc. There are brackets off the shelf that can work for it.

 

True. However, I believe a key part of doing a BBK setup is reducing rotational mass as you are moving up in rotor size. Unless a light-weight 2-piece rotor is in the equation, it is not ideal imo.

 

90% of folks it's purely about looks anyhow

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As far as prices go… I’m thinking they might be willing to do 15-20% off for 5 sets + splitting up the setup fee ($500 each).

Just got another response from them. They’re only willing to offer up this combination if designed and approved for offering by Brembo. Meaning they will design the proper hats and brackets to ensure this combination works.

 

Not the only consideration however. Polar moment of Brembo is still likely higher due to larger diameter. (so while overall weight is less, there's still more weight to move further from centerline)

 

True. One can always opt for the 332mm rotors if that is a concern. Or lighter weight wheels. Really depends on how much one is willing to sacrifice in one area for significantly more braking power. There could be reduced weight going from stock caliper to a Brembo GT as well, but I do not know the weight of those.

 

Some info:

Piston sizes:

Stock caliper 40/36mm

F40 caliper 44/38mm

F50 caliper 44/40mm


F355 Challenge Brembo Race Caliper ?

Brembo 4-pot GT caliper?

Stoptech 4-pot Trophy caliper?

 

Here are the brakes on mine (sorry not the best pic) I am not 100% sure if they are 4 or 6 pots as I never took much notice will have to have a proper look now.


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They are branded Ferrari btw.