V6 Brakes vs. 2.0L Brakes

[Matt]

Looking to get some decent brakes for the Nova before it goes on the road. I'm looking to get Cav/ Calibra V6 calipers with the 288mm discs. Partly want the bigger brakes just to look cool behind my wheels but was just wondering if I'll have any problems running this setup? Will I need to upgrade the MC or anything? Is this just going to be seviere overkill for a 1.2? Or will they be fine?

Also will these fit behind 15" MO's ok?

Cheers,
Matt

[mowgli]

just get 256mm ones off a vectra. they work really well on the std mc, they will fit easily under the rims & look good as well. & they need absolutely no modification to fit, it takes 2 mins a side

[Matt]

Yeah I ran the 256mm setup on my old Nova and they were spot on. Just thinking the V6 ones for looks tbh but don't want to comprimise performance/ practicality.

[Benn]

Some car/people they are great on, some they arnt. Its an odd one.
They do look good tho. Will fit under some 15" rims.

[The Simps]

Get the 284 turbo calipers if you can. The pistons are slightly smaller so the pedal feels better.

[Jack]

I have 288 calipers with Mintex M1144 pads, and 284mm Fiat Coupé grooved discs, on a standard (1.0) m/c and servo.

Only problem I find is there's a fair bit of pedal travel before the brakes become effective, but once they bite the car stops very well. Had to test them the other day when some turnip in a fiesta pulled across in front of me, and I stopped quite happily in a very short distance.

Just make sure you get some decent tyres, as mine are linglong recycled condoms and skid a bit too easily.

I can't speak of the 256 setup as I've never used them on the road, although after being in Lee's old 1.2 once, they feel very effective. I'd say go for whatever is about, and whatever you can afford, but its worth spending on quality pads and discs as well.

[The Simps]

256s are fine for road use. I personally found it wasn't worth spending a fortune on brand name discs but it was for pads. So I used decent spec ferodo pads and cheapo motor factor discs. Yes the discs warped quicker but I could change them 3 times for the cost of brand name fancy drilled, grooved ones etc.

256s were naff on track tho and just don't stand up to constant abuse and you will get brake fade. This is where you have to press harder and harder on the pedal to achieve the same level of braking.

The longer pedal travel that Razorjack explains above is because the pistons in the calipers are that much larger than standard calipers so it takes more fluid movement to get them to go. This is where the turbo calipers are better and only 4mm difference in disc size. Its that disc size thats important because it helps to stop heat build up.

There's very little difference between prices of 256/284/288 setups, you could only be talking £20-40. Its well worth putting the extra towards the turbo ones imo. Plenty of calibra turbos are still being broken so plenty of them are still about.

You next step from there will be to go up to 4 pot calipers.

Hope this makes sense and helps.

[Matt]

Yeah, thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated!

Think I'll stick with 256's for now and steal my brothers new discs and pads that are sat in the garage. Will look into the 284 setup when funds allow.

:thumb:

[ianmorley1984]

I just re-fit some 256mm discs and calipers to mine and I don't remember there being so much travel in the brake pedal last time I had them hooked up (New pads, surface rust on the discs, and a very small amount of WD40 on one disc that I cleaned off as much as I could be bothered when my can dribbled on them means I plan on driving down the byepass at 50 whilst left foot breaking ever so slightly to wear the pads in a little and remove the surface rust etc so that they have half a chance of stopping me rolling...). I have bled both front calipers twice now and it feels reeeeally spongey.

Will my method for removing the surface rust and wearing the brake pads in actually help me or am I just driving to my death? lol

[Welsh Dan]

As long as you got the WD40 off you should find that stopping a few times gets the surface rust off the discs.

[Adam]

Get the 284 turbo calipers if you can. The pistons are slightly smaller so the pedal feels better.
Ditto that.
THats the problem some people have with v6 calipers, you get big pedal travel before the brakes actually work.

I run 284 Turbo calipers on mine, with fiat discs, and standard GM pads.
They work great, no fade at all (even after almost a constant hour hammering it around Donny.....)
Std 1.2i MC and servo, no travel issues at all.

Apparently you can sort the travel issue by adjusting the linkage bar behind the dash where it joins onto the back of the servo.

[AlexW]

Ive just upgraded my daily to 256mm brakes, apart from the longer pedal (not much but worth a say) Its not bad, I fitted a GSI servo (Mainly just to do with having it off my other nova and painting it). Im planning on fitting braided hoses and GSI rear brake valves (Larger dia) Which on my other nova i found faultless :thumb:

[General Baxter]

v6 in mos :)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a191/baxters83/nickscar238.jpg

[The Simps]

256s are more than enough on a road going nova especially as a fairly standard small block. The fact its a 2 piece caliper rather than slider pins on some of the smaller calipers make it more reliable too. They just don't cope on track tho.

I'd stick with the 256s mate for now until you up power as they're more than capable enough for the road and will give you greater wheel choice.

[Jack]

v6 in mos :)
Oh well if we're pic whoring, here's mine lol

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/razorjack/Cars/Project%20Ghey/24072008563.jpg

[*Dave*]

288mm v6 brakes i my choice, better the 265mm in my opinion.

using gsi mc and servo.

no pedal travel issues and the work so much better at higher speeds too.

[Adam]

Seeing as everyones posting pics lol
284s behind cesaros :cool:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Nova-crew/Turbo%20brake%20fitment/DSCN0770Medium.jpg

And 284 disc compared to a 256
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Nova-crew/Turbo%20brake%20fitment/DSCN0755Custom.jpg

[MK999]

I thought the calibra turbo 284's were 5 stud? or is that a cheeky different manufacturer same fit same size disc swap there? lol

edit: think i found them on ebay, look exactly the same as yours, brembo's for a fiat?

[AlexW]

Any standard discs for the correct fiat no need for branded ;)

[MK999]

Yeah I figured that non branded and branded would have the holes in the same place lol Just those particular ones look exactly the same as his... holes need drilling out on fiat discs right? actual pcd is 102 if i remember correctly?

[AlexW]

Yeah I figured that non branded and branded would have the holes in the same place lol Just those particular ones look exactly the same as his... holes need drilling out on fiat discs right? actual pcd is 102 if i remember correctly?

Yer (Ive got a bit of brain fade:tard: ) And yer, iirc RJ posted about it somwhere too.

[MK999]

Yer (Ive got a bit of brain fade:tard: )

Is that where you have to push the pedal harder and harder to get the same brain force? lol

[Jack]

edit: think i found them on ebay, look exactly the same as yours, brembo's for a fiat?

Any standard discs for the correct fiat no need for branded ;)
The later Fiat 2.0 20vT has brembo brake calipers, the discs are 305mm and usually referred to as the "brembo" brakes - thats probably what you've found. 305mm is too big, you want the non-brembo ones, i.e. 284mm.

The holes need to be drilled out my 1mm each. I used either a 14mm or 15mm drill bit on mine, can't remember which off the top of my head, but they fitted snug as a bug.

[edit] Fiat Coupe 16v Turbo (94-96) are the discs I got.

[craig green]

Going on the cars spec stated in the 1st post, 16v 256 calipers & discs & if a big engine ever goes in, get some Cossie discs & some caliper spacers made up. Easy big disc conversion on a budget that retains good pedal feel.

My 288's feel fine but wouldnt use them again I don't think.

[Stuart]

skanky assed 288mm discs and skanky assed AP 2pots haul my 900Kg skip to a stop perfectly well.... even though I've put 308's up front for a laugh