550 vs 575 brake calipers

The front calipers are structurally identical between 550, 456M (NOT early GT), 575.

The rear caliper are different between all three: the piston sizes vary as a function of the model given the difference in brake bias target for each model.

You can swap between 550 and 575 (though again the fronts are identical so it’s a lot of effort for zero functional gain). I have not heard of anyone (...else) test between 456M and 550/575.

Technical details (I never wrote down the 550 but its just a single piston difference in rear):

575M

(OE Bias 66.5-67.5Front)
F: 330/32mm (38-46 pistons)
R:310/28mm (30-34 pistons)
HGTC:
F: 398mm (30-34-38 pistons)
R: 360mm (30-34 pistons)​

456M

(OE Bias 61Front)
F: 330/32mm (38-46 pistons)
R: 310/28mm (38-34 pistons)​

 

That is an expensive way to paint your calipers but yes it should work just fine.

Remember the FHP brakes are not color but the pad compound (Pagid Orange RS 4-4)

 

That works then. If you want you should also upgrade the brake lines to stainless steel

 

So Ferrari used a standardized size across all the early Luca cars. I got goodridge SS brake line kit.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/brakes-lines-upgrading-basics-technical-details.687072/

 

By gold do you mean giallo? My 575 has FHP but the buyer specced giallo for the calipers.

 

There are more colors possible; including a different red and paint to match special. Red, yellow, black, and silver are the most common by far

 

550 not quite the same as 575

See here for the list of initially available not including special one off and red:


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For completeness, Rosso scuderia (bright / orange red) or rosso (darker red) were the two red options on the 575 for calipers. Rossa Scuderia was offered only on later cars 2005+ (unclear if 2004 option or special order only). Rosso scuderia was first offered on the 04 CS.

Other minor note - pagid/FHP pads won’t squeak if you follow the proper bed in procedure as outlined in the FHP technical bulletin…

Terry can correct me if my memory is lapsing.

 

There is a pretty simple way to optimize pad compounds and hence bias on a skid pad. We racers do it all the time as a base line then dial in pad compounds under race practice and race conditions. A good race pad to use are carbotechs because the are numbered from XP8-XP24 making for easy steps. When you street guys change off the OE more racy noisy pad to decrease noise you have changed the braking response in unknown ways. Using a 575 rear caliper vs a 550 rear caliper since different piston sizes will also change braking in unpredictable ways. So if you make those changes you have to test them or rely on someone you trust. It's also possible any change will not matter under the maximum speed limit and bad things won't be found until you approach limits. That limit might be a panic stop or brake n' swerve because a kid runs out in the street. That's what we do on racetracks try to figure out performance limits. If you don't have those testing skills then stick to OEM it's safer.