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Thread: These would significantly reduce front un-sprung weight

  1. #26
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    Received my set, thanks. These have seen some battle , but rebuildable and all I wanted. I'll try to post what I do with them here if nobody minds. Accumulating additional pieces. From what I've seen these calipers are difficult to find IMO.
    88 M3
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    91 318i
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  2. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by autox320 View Post
    Received my set, thanks. These have seen some battle , but rebuildable and all I wanted. I'll try to post what I do with them here if nobody minds. Accumulating additional pieces. From what I've seen these calipers are difficult to find IMO.
    Would love to see some install info when you get it sorted. I'm aiming to cut as much weight as possible on my car without ruining the daily'able comfort.

  3. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by blindrooster View Post
    Would love to see some install info when you get it sorted. I'm aiming to cut as much weight as possible on my car without ruining the daily'able comfort.
    Just waiting on the 8 internal 0-rings (between halves), and new bolts from Fastenal. These install directly like the 1977 vented 320i caliper with 1977 vented rotors. I'll try to show a quick dirty rebuild on these with all new parts. Basically these are just a fancy aluminum alloy version 1977 320 caliper.

    Here's a pic of our rig; note front brembos installed.
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  4. #29
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    Got mine in the other day as well. Just like Jody says, there isn't really any mystery to bolting these on. Just like vented or non vented stock calipers they function the same way and are bolted on the same. Just WAY WAY WAY lighter. I can't believe the difference between the stock ones and these Brembos. Definitely worth it if you can find a pair. I will need to rebuild mine as well, but shouldn't require too much effort to do so.

    Jody, where are you sourcing your pistons and seals? I've got a rebuild kit but I don't think it has the o rings for the spacers included in it.
    91 318is
    83 320is

  5. #30
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    It's really incredible if you have an iron caliper in one hand and an aluminum in the other, so much difference, the iron one feels like a boat anchor.

    And it's practically like they were made from the same molds. The hydraulic inlet line comes in at the same angle, etc.

    Brake pads are supposed to be the same size. You can get Hawk pads for them, or whatever. I've compared them side by side, ATE and Brembo, and there was just a slight difference in the brake pad "height" but width was the same.

    You can buy parts from Eric at PMB here's the link - http://www.pmbperformance.com/diy-ca...ts--acces.html

    He has the caliper 1/2 seals. And stainless steel pistons. Brembo use the same cup type 48mm piston as the ATE "A-Caliper."

    DIY - http://www.pmbperformance.com/brakehowto.html

    48mm Stainless Steel A-Caliper Piston http://www.pmbperformance.com/catalo...91/6473306.htm 48mm Stainless Steel A-Caliper Piston.jpg

  6. #31
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    Here's the pins and springs for sale $29.75 http://centerlinealfa.com/catalog/caliper-hardware-116-119-front


  7. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by captain awesome View Post
    Got mine in the other day as well. Just like Jody says, there isn't really any mystery to bolting these on. Just like vented or non vented stock calipers they function the same way and are bolted on the same. Just WAY WAY WAY lighter. I can't believe the difference between the stock ones and these Brembos. Definitely worth it if you can find a pair. I will need to rebuild mine as well, but shouldn't require too much effort to do so.

    Jody, where are you sourcing your pistons and seals? I've got a rebuild kit but I don't think it has the o rings for the spacers included in it.
    I actually am going the less expensive route. Ordered majority from Centric. Most rebuilt and even the ones listed from centerlinealfa are steel pistons not stainless. The more expensive option is the PMBperformance stainless pistons ($180)which will provide better resistance to fluid boil at limits. Most high performance calipers use stainless pistons or a version of stainless due to high heat. The stock steel works fine though in my case. I also run castrol srf brake fluid so boiling fluid is not really an issue.

    I've not had time to start on this but the list of parts are inexpensive my route.
    Centric pistons (4) $44
    Centric 1977 full pin and pad retainer set $11
    Centric full seal kit $7
    Internal o-rings are an issue; I've both the round style $8 and ordered the flat ones from PMB $8 (need 8 due to spacers on vented wider calipers).

    PMB performance is a Porsche site and these same calipers are found on early Pcars as well.
    Alfa book says front caliper halves bolt torque is 25 ft lbs.

    If get around to it I plan to put these on my scale to see true exact weights between steel and these.

    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post
    It's really incredible if you have an iron caliper in one hand and an aluminum in the other, so much difference, the iron one feels like a boat anchor.

    And it's practically like they were made from the same molds. The hydraulic inlet line comes in at the same angle, etc.

    Brake pads are supposed to be the same size. You can get Hawk pads for them, or whatever. I've compared them side by side, ATE and Brembo, and there was just a slight difference in the brake pad "height" but width was the same.

    You can buy parts from Eric at PMB here's the link - http://www.pmbperformance.com/diy-ca...ts--acces.html

    He has the caliper 1/2 seals. And stainless steel pistons. Brembo use the same cup type 48mm piston as the ATE "A-Caliper."

    DIY - http://www.pmbperformance.com/brakehowto.html

    48mm Stainless Steel A-Caliper Piston http://www.pmbperformance.com/catalo...91/6473306.htm 48mm Stainless Steel A-Caliper Piston.jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post
    Rebuilt ones are for sale $110 plus $250 core charge! Each side. https://centerlinealfa.com/catalog/f...r-milano-right


    Part #BC360
    Front Caliper Milano Right
    Aluminum Front Brembo Caliper Milano and late GTV/6 Right


    Aluminum front brake caliper for Milano (all) and 1984-86 GTV/6. Right Side. Rebuilt in USA.


    Sold on an exchange basis, and a $250.00 core deposit will be charged at the time of sale. To receive a core deposit refund your caliper must be complete, assembled, and in rebuildable condition.


    Cast iron calipers from 1981-83 GTV/6 are not acceptable as cores.


    Price: $110
    Core charge: $250


    $360.00
    Status: In Stock
    This item is in stock and ships immediately.
    All good info right here. Great post Sir.
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  8. #33
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    Looks like CARiD has everything but the spacer seals cheaper than all others I could find. Just need to order the spacer seals and I'll be good to get the rebuild started. I do like that you could swap them for rebuilt units, but the cheap side of me just can't justify the cost right now.

    https://www.carid.com/centric/replac...gleid=20314676

    https://www.carid.com/centric/calipe...eid=1409753734
    Last edited by captain awesome; 03-15-2019 at 11:00 AM.
    91 318is
    83 320is

  9. #34
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    Quote Originally Posted by captain awesome View Post
    Looks like CARiD has everything but the spacer seals cheaper than all others I could find. Just need to order the spacer seals and I'll be good to get the rebuild started. I do like that you could swap them for rebuilt units, but the cheap side of me just can't justify the cost right now.

    https://www.carid.com/centric/replac...gleid=20314676

    https://www.carid.com/centric/calipe...eid=1409753734

    https://www.carid.com/centric/front-...gleid=20319289
    Rockauto carries most under 1977 320i calipers all but the internal o-rings
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  10. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by autox320 View Post
    Rockauto carries most under 1977 320i calipers all but the internal o-rings
    Even with 5 % off I ended up around a dollar less with CARiD. Gotta save them pennies!
    91 318is
    83 320is

  11. #36
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    here's from PMB and a good read IMO http://www.pmbperformance.com/brakehowto.html
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  12. #37
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    Here's an awesome rebuild thread pcar style; hats off. I like he used the stainless pistons and black oxide finish. I'd of just left them black oxide and painted the outside with high temp paint.

    http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...rebuild-2.html
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  13. #38
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    There's an eBay seller with 6 left calipers for pretty cheap. I'm trying to think of a reason why I couldn't just use a left caliper on the right side. As long as I drilled and tapped a bleeder on the opposite end, is there anything else stopping me?

  14. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by bflan2001 View Post
    There's an eBay seller with 6 left calipers for pretty cheap. I'm trying to think of a reason why I couldn't just use a left caliper on the right side. As long as I drilled and tapped a bleeder on the opposite end, is there anything else stopping me?
    hmm good question; yes on the bleeder or just remove caliper to bleed and reinstall other than that the pistons.....they have the C on the faces.....could just rotate in the bore ie open C toward incoming rotor

    other than that unless missing something....ah the brake line port hmmm
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  15. #40
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    Awesome, thanks Okie! Based on that picture I'm gonna say it's doable. I can easily tap that caliper to be used on the other side.

  16. #41
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    Weights are in. Had the scale out for another project so threw these on real quick. BTW those ordering internal o-rings they are the flat ones from PMBperformance; avoid any round ones that other vendors sell.


    8.060 lbs = Used steel vented caliper (dirty probably would weigh a touch less without the crust) Think these were bottom of the ocean
    7.782 lbs = New steel centric standard NON vented caliper

    4.550 lbs = Brembo aluminum vented caliper
    -3.510 vented steel caliper
    -3.232 standard steel caliper



    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  17. #42
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    That is good info, thanks! I ordered a pair and received them on Friday, I could tell that they were are lighter but had no way of measuring how much lighter. At 4.5 lbs per, it's like the difference of a half a gallon of water at each wheel.

  18. #43
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    Nice. I got my 0-rings in from PMBperformance and the pistons/seals in the other day. Just need to spend a few minutes pulling them apart and reassembling with the fresh stuff.
    91 318is
    83 320is

  19. #44
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    Pistons - https://www.carid.com/centric/replac...gleid=20314676


    So these are the correct pistons even though the picture looks wrong? They have the ground down cut on the face where it contacts the pad? 20 degrees or whatever?

    Just confirming because I am going to have to buy a set of pistons. Thx

  20. #45
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    The link you posted isn't working for me, but the ones I got were 146.48016 from Centric. I haven't installed them yet, but the photo on CARiD is wrong. The part does in fact have the cut on the face of it. I spent a few minutes on the Centric site pulling up part numbers before ordering, so hopefully I didn't bork that all up and order the wrong ones.

    Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post
    Pistons - https://www.carid.com/centric/replac...gleid=20314676


    So these are the correct pistons even though the picture looks wrong? They have the ground down cut on the face where it contacts the pad? 20 degrees or whatever?

    Just confirming because I am going to have to buy a set of pistons. Thx
    91 318is
    83 320is

  21. #46
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    Yes that looks right, thx The Brembo and ATE pistons are supposed to be the same, or interchangeable according to Eric at PMB.

    Original Brembo pistons have the ground, cut area like the ATE ones, though not easy to see in this pic.

    Camera Shots 594.jpg

    I am actually going to put a pair on my '67 Alfa.
    Last edited by okieflats; 02-25-2019 at 08:14 PM.

  22. #47
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    I just popped all four pistons from the Brembos to compare to the Centrics. Clearly the Centrics are different in a couple areas, but should work just fine. If it weren't for the outside lips on the Brembos being so crummy I would have just reused them.

    Out of the four only one didn't want to pop out from just compressed air. I spent a minute heating the backside of the caliper up with a map gas torch and tapping the backside with a firm rubber mallet. I then took a small vice grip clamp to hold the loose piston and this time with the compressed air it popped right out. Luckily I didn't have to bring out the grease gun, that gets super messy.

    Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

    Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

    Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

    Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr
    91 318is
    83 320is

  23. #48
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    Yup that' s the centric part number 146.48016 I'm using as well. The OD is same. Mine the old brembo C's on the piston faces were about completely wore off and why I said seen battle. Just make sure to orient the C correctly to incoming rotor face. One edge of the C lines up center of the pad well, It's not the side that you change pads from . The C cut face helps eliminate pad tapering with it's pressure point.
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  24. #49
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    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post
    Yes that looks right, thx The Brembo and ATE pistons are supposed to be the same, or interchangeable according to Eric at PMB.

    Original Brembo pistons have the ground, cut area like the ATE ones, though not easy to see in this pic.

    Camera Shots 594.jpg

    I am actually going to put a pair on my '67 Alfa.
    Okie, lets see some pics of the Alfa.
    91 318is
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  25. #50
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