Are Brembo big brake kits worth the investment?

Only necessary if you plan on doing lots of track days. Otherwise, I would not say it is worth the $$$$. But on the race track, the 550 needs all the brakes you can get.

 

Maranellos are somewhat underbraked for the near 4000 lb curb weight. I upgraded my brakes and really enjoy them. If you want them, go for it. They definitely look better, too. Exotica Motorsports will even put Ferrari decals on them for you. They were a sponsor here at one time and offered an FChat discount.

 

+1

 

I have big rotora brakes on mine.....also worth a look.

 

reynolds -

all of the brembo kits should fit...the novitecs will not.

unless you plan on hitting the tail of the dragon or doing track days.... the stock brakes are fine.

might try the girodisc two piece rotors and upgraded pads....

 

My experience at trackdays as well. The tires will overheat before the brake do. I never experienced a soft pedal with the stock brakes. But (street legal) tires loosing performance.

 

The Barchetta modulars and standard 550 wheels have the same specs. Check with Brembo and make sure the 380 mm rotors with 6 piston calipers fit, but the 380 mm rotors and 4 piston calipers should be fine. Rears only need 4 piston calipers and those should fit.

 

I agree and I race SCCA. The stock 550 is pretty balanced for what it is but there is much more potential there. If you add a good BBK you will find you need more spring and shock. Then you will need more rollbar. Then you will need more tire. Then you will need to ditch the cats or burn them up. That will lead to a modified exhaust. Then you will need a bigger radiator for cooling. Oil cooler will be next. Then gearbox and diff coolers. Then you will need a proper seat and harness, and roll cage and don't forget to gut out about 800lbs. The 1st 400 should be easy. You should now have a car that will put a huge smile on your face.

 

Agreed! I noticed a dramatic difference in the bite. Moreover, if you upgrade wheels and tires (more rubber on the road) the improvement in braking is that much more significant. The ability to stop sooner can make the difference between a crash and a close call. 550/355 and earlier cars really benefit a lot.

 

I've often thought that my ideal Maranello would be 2/3rds the weight but it would be nice to keep the V12 configuration. I wonder how much the current engine weighs and how much a scaled down version, let's say 3-3.8ltrs, would save?

 

Hi Mogul,
Enigne of F 550 it is 235 Kg.
Mondo FERRARI: 550 Maranello

About the Brembo Kit i think is a good improvement , but the ceramic Movits of Taz is great ....
Personally i would like to instal one of those two kits not only for the performance but also for the technics and the show, that are for enjoy my mind ...
KIndly

Fabio

 

I have the 380's on my car and
generally like them very much.

They can be removed and sold
separately when you sell the car.

there are drawbacks:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/507875-parking-brake-problems-big-brembos-575m.html

 

I have the Brembo 380mm kit on all four corners on my 360. It's a really great set up. They are identical in size to the CCB setup on the Challenge Stradale. As such, I have to use 19" wheels. I use F430 Challenge wheels (the center lock wheels). I don't think that they would fit with the 18" Barchetta wheels that came on my 550.

As far as performance, in driving around I don't really notice a difference between the big brakes and the regular brakes between the cars. As others have said, I don't think that it would be that worth it unless you do track days or very spirited driving where fade would be an issue.

 

Bastuna- The rear CCMs are only 350 mm on the CS, F430, and Scud/16M.

 

Excellent to know. When I measured the calipers for wheel clearance they appeared be the same size as the carbon ceramic calipers in terms of clearance and I was told that I would have to use the 19" choices in order for everything to clear.

Do you run 19" wheels on your 575m or do they clear the calipers with the regular 18" 575 wheels?

 

Bastuna- I have Mov'It ceramic brakes, 396 mm F and 362 mm R and they need the late 575M 19" (HGTC mod) front wheels to fit. Rears are generally not an issue.

 

They used to make those, it was called a 275.

 

Brian- I am hoping the new Dino might turn out to be a bit smaller, even if it is only a V-6.

 

The Dino is at least 2 to 3 years away Terry,
I'm sure it will be smaller, but I am more curious as to how much they will ask for it and if it will be competitive with McLaren's 570?

Clyde

 

How is brake dust with that setup compared to original?

 

James- No brake dust at all, no squeal, no rotors wearing out, work great cold or hot.

 

Awesome. I emailed them yesterday and they responded with they have no systems for my car. (which is odd as I've seen their system on 355). Maybe they just meant carbon.

Very expensive but the reduction in rotating mass/unsprung weight and lack of brake dust would be really nice.