I have heard that some people have bought brakes used off porches and such and are planning to put them on their 164's. Is this possible? Can I buy used porsche calipers and use them on my 164? I would really like to do it if possible. I have brembo disca on there now but maybe a 2-3 piston caliper would help in the braking department. Any help would be appreciated, and I will ignore all stupid posts so don;t even try it anymore!!!
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO CONTRIBUTE!!!
JASON

Hello Jason- Well, you asked, so here's my two cents... (don't take me wrong now):
If there is one area on my street-driven vehicles which I would be very reluctant to modify as you describe, it is the brakes. There is so much basic engineering that has to be done on a roadworthy OEM brake system, and I will admit here and now that I don't consider myself competent to do that sort of thing, it is IMO not worth the risk to attempt that sort of modification. In other words, one should not try to home-build a new brake system for their car, for their own safety. There's a reason why good engineering schools take at least four hard years to get through, then those grads still lack experience!
Now- that being said- if there is some raz-mattaz kit out there made available by a major well known supplier (e.g., Brembo), that allows adapting larger calipers to the 164, then that's a different matter. I'm still not interested, though, and I'll explain why.
The performance of the brake system, which is something many of us want to improve, is limited primarily on a street vehicle by the tires.
The best results I've ever gotten out of brakes for a non-race car was to 1) keep them cool (duct in outside airflow), 2) use improved pads for better fade resistance and pedal feel, 3) make wise choices in tire/wheel selection, and maintain the air pressure in those new tires. Now, I'm currently going for teflon/stainless steel brake hoses for my '91 Spider, and grooved discs also for improved wet braking and fade resistance, but my point is that even if I put 6-piston calipers all around on that Spider, the limitations on my tire sizes will not allow me to benefit from all that stopping power. Your 164 has the same limitations, my friend (unless you're secretly building a DTM car on us!!).

Dave Jarman
Lexington KY
USA

WELL THATS GOOD INFO. THERES NO WAY IN THE WORLD THAT I WOULD FABRICATE BRAKE PARTS. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOME CALIPER YOU CAN BUY TO TO POP RIGHT IN AND IMPROVE IT A BIT MORE. I HAVE BREMBO DISCS AND MINTEX PADS WHICH WORK FINE. I JUST WANTED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THIS AREA OF THE 164 FOR IMPROVEMENTS. MY BRAKES ARE FINE NOW, JUST SOMETIMES THEY FADE ABIT MORE THAN NORMAL. i WAS ACTUALLY PLANNING TO PUT DUCTS ON THE BRAKES TO COOL THEM, AND GET NEW LINES BECAUSE i THINK MINE ARE FAILING ONCE IN A WHILE. BUT YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT ALL THAT YOU MENTIONED. TIRES, WHEELS, ETC. I HAVE 17 INCH SIENA WHEELS WITH P7000 SUPERSPORTS. SO I DON'T THINK I HAVEMUCH OF A PROBLEM HERE. THNAKS AGAIN
JASON

Something keeps lurking in the back of my mind about big calipers for late model Alfas, I think I saw the ads in AutoItalia magazine. Get your hands on an issue and check it out, OK? These were British sources for 164s.

Dave J

Can you put the brake porportiona valve off the LS's to the L's? I heard you can and it has been done. Thanks
Jason

i am installing mustang svt 73mm 4-pot calipers as soon as i find affordable bigger rotors (godspeed's are 455 pounds and tarox's 560). i already have 215/45/17 wheels so there is ample space and improved grip. i too think the brakes on the 164 are well below par as compared to competitive brands.
does the proportioning valve from the ls put more pressure to the fronts or is it larger all around?

Thanks dave for the info. I will check it out(glad you stayed by the way)As far as the brake prop. valve I believe that it is a lerger unit on the LS and possibly putting more pressure. Not sure though I have to ask some people first. Sounds interesting serge let me know?
thanks
jason

please let me know what you find aboutthe valve.

Ignore Me

hi faggot,
you still around? not for long!

no, but long enough to wave you all off, cya
ciao!