164 cloverleaf brake fade
Discussion
On the whole, Alfa brakes are dire.
The basic improvements are new 5.1 fluid and braided hoses. Then you can try some good pads with new OEM disks - Ferodo DS2500 pads are very popular. The thing is, Alfas tend to be very heavy and certainly models like the 164QV are also very fast, which is not a good combination for braking!!
The limiting factor for fitting bigger disks and calipers is the size of the wheels. The Brembo calipers off the GTV V6 and GTA will just fit behind 16" wheels with spacers, or are fine behind 17". You could try asking the guys and girls on www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ if they have any experience of modifying the 164.
The basic improvements are new 5.1 fluid and braided hoses. Then you can try some good pads with new OEM disks - Ferodo DS2500 pads are very popular. The thing is, Alfas tend to be very heavy and certainly models like the 164QV are also very fast, which is not a good combination for braking!!
The limiting factor for fitting bigger disks and calipers is the size of the wheels. The Brembo calipers off the GTV V6 and GTA will just fit behind 16" wheels with spacers, or are fine behind 17". You could try asking the guys and girls on www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ if they have any experience of modifying the 164.
Standard discs and pads should be fine as long as your brake fluid is regularly changed. ALWAYS regularly change brake and clutch fluid in Alfas as the Benditalia hydraulics are the worst and seal failure WILL occur. Change brake and clutch fluid every year and I even do and extra change before trackdays.
Some pads are crap and do not have a wide thermal operating range (they fade easily). I have often found manufacturers pads to be very poor this way. Try Lockheed, Ferodo or Unipart as OE pads. If you need 'hotter' pads the previously mentioned but now superseeded Ferodo DS2000 or EBC Red Stuff (Greenstuff will wear too quickly on your 164). Also, if you choose a performance pad, fit them front and rear so as not to upset the braking balance. Most people fail to realise that these pads have a different friction coefficient and end up with not much improvement or worse! Finally, get them fitted properly, not by a fast fit operation who looks for profit- but I think you are probably already wise to that! Enjoy!
Some pads are crap and do not have a wide thermal operating range (they fade easily). I have often found manufacturers pads to be very poor this way. Try Lockheed, Ferodo or Unipart as OE pads. If you need 'hotter' pads the previously mentioned but now superseeded Ferodo DS2000 or EBC Red Stuff (Greenstuff will wear too quickly on your 164). Also, if you choose a performance pad, fit them front and rear so as not to upset the braking balance. Most people fail to realise that these pads have a different friction coefficient and end up with not much improvement or worse! Finally, get them fitted properly, not by a fast fit operation who looks for profit- but I think you are probably already wise to that! Enjoy!
Also check the www.digest.net/alfa/FAQ/164/bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi Truly excellent Alfa 164 Forum!
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff