A "not-so-expensive" brake upgrade for F355

EMS is really simple! There are tutorials for most of the basics and after playing with it for a while you get the hang of it. I have another project with new topmount for Öhlins shocks in the making, might be another subject EMS...

For me the biggest problem is that it becomes quite expensive to order these parts all the way from Sweden, so I will probably have the made over here. That means that these drawings are not tested! You cant really be sure if they work unless you make one and put it on the car. That doesn't mean that we cant share these files, but it is important for everybody that reads about this that they understand what to expect from these drawings... Probably need some kind of simple quality index...

I am attaching a zipfile with a revised version of the bracket, not tested just a sketch to play with
View attachment Ferrari Big Black Bracket.zip

 

Great job...they look sweet!

 

Just point a air ducting hose right at the disc and run proper track pads (+ bleed your brakes) and I'm sure you won't have a problem ... unless you ride the brakes or something.

If you don't get cooling air to a brake disc making it bigger with a few holes in it won't make much difference ... there is a reason why 90% of track cars have large ducting hoses ending about 1" away from the front brake discs.
Pete

 

Do you own of a 355? If so you know it has an air ducts as original, just as you describe... Porterfield R4-S brake pads and new brake fluid every year, of cause As for any improvement in braking, let me be the judge of that ;-)

 

Hey Johan, great work! Let me know how it goes ...
I would recommend to have the brackets as stiff as possible, and then, to avoid removing material where it is not necessary to escape the hub holder. The circular machining is not necessary on all the height of the bracket.
Also, use fine pitch threads were the bracket is bolted M12X1.5 or better M12X 1.25 or even better install helicoil there.

 

Hi Eric
About the machining. Having the arc going all the the way would make them symmetrical and hence being possible to used on both sides. This is how may of the Porsche bracket look, maybe use Alu 7075 for maximum stiffness? I am planing of using M12 1,25 but havnt found any source for fine threaded insex bolts yet. Will keep you in the loop...

Picture below is for the Porsche 968...
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Think I got a little confused there... Of course I can have the arc just going 18- 20mm in to clear the hub. Something like this maybe?
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Yes!! I like it! Looks great.
If you decide to go that way, starting from scratch with the brackets, wait until you have the calipers, some pads and the rotors (or a mock-up of them) to finalize the dimensions and machine them. It worked for me but you may find some improvements.

 

The callipers arrived in Gothenburg this morning, will pick them up at Schenker tomorrow. Brake discs are on there way from Italy, should be here early next week. Havnt decided on brake pads yet but will probably order them this week. Still looking for someone that can sell me Porterfield in Europe, tired of all this VAT etc for packages from USA... When all parts are in place I will finalize the bracket. As you say: maybe I can find some more improvements ;-)

 

Johan:

Check-out this company for your metric hardware - MIL SPEC and aerospace.

LINK: http://www.awfasteners.com/

Best,

Scott

 

If you track a car you need to bleed the brakes before every track day ...

Anyway enjoy.
Pete

 

Can you escape the VAT if a friend from the USA sends them to you maybe out of the factory box so they look used perhaps?

 

First test of the bracket. Caliper stripped and primed with standox etching primer, ready for painting after the holydays...
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Awesome stuff guys! Both the OEM quality of the upgrade and learning about emachineshop.com, very cool.

 

Does anyone know how the original calipers are painted. When I removed the paint it looked like it was painted with a wet paint (with clear coat over the Porsche logo) and not powder coated. But when asking arround for good 2K paint system, nobody seems to know what really works... I am in contact with a specialist att Standox and hope to get some good answers after the holydays. Anyone know anything about painting calipers?

 

Tried painting with Foliatec caliper paint but not really happy with the result. Will try Standox 2K paint and se how that turns out... Brake discs is on their way from italy and brake pads from Californa should arrive any day...

 

Painted red, ready for sticker and clear coating. Think it is looking good so far...
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Stickers in place! The last question is: Clear coat or not to clear coat...
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I would say yes for stickers durability!
They look very nice.

 

You are proably right Eric

Will get the brake discs today by FedEx, took a little longer than expected, those italians you know ;-) The brake pads is on their way fron california, will arrive next week and then I can start looking at the brackes again...

How is the major service comming along?

 

The major service is complete now. The engine is running well and smoothly ... at idle and low RPM in the garage!! With the bad weather we have those days, I have not yet took her for a drive ... I expect/hope (pray !! ) it will be also OK at redline and that no leak will appear

Let me know how it goes with the brackets.

 

definately clearcoat to help the stickers

 

I put on the clear coat today, almost looks like piece of candy now ;-) Picures later when it is dry...

 

Don't lick it...

All the best,
Andrew.

 

johan,

What color is that standox paint?

Where did you get the stickers?