166 Brembo Calipers

**Brul(tm)** · 03-10-11, 09:26

I changed the wheels from front to rear and vica versa every 10.000KM's
Or you can drive it properly and change all four tyres at the same time when worn

**fochista** · 03-10-11, 09:38

There you may play around a little bit with all the possibilities and you can see the differences in % and in mm:

http://www.reifensuchmaschine.de/rei...fenrechner.htm

It's in german language, but that should not be the problem at all.

**Xti** · 03-10-11, 16:04

Oh I see now, I was kinda hasty and need to read some more about diffs...

,thanks for the slap over my neck.
I will choose same tyre specs for both axles, 215/45/17 or 215/40/17/.

**fochista** · 11-10-11, 10:10

Originally Posted by Xti

I will choose same tyre specs for both axles, 215/45/17 or 215/40/17/.

Hello Cristian!

I think thats a good decision for you and your Q4 dream...

Tanti Saluti, Martin

**Steve Webb** · 11-10-11, 18:34

Hi Cristian,

The standard tyres for the Q4 are quoted as being 205/50r15, Both 215/40r17 and 215/45r17 are have a larger rolling circumference than this. The closer size would be 215/35r17 if anyone makes that size.

I use this Tyre Calculator to work out tyre sizes.

**Xti** · 12-10-11, 18:46

215/45/17 seems to be too big (width and total diameter) as it gets too close to the mudguards or even touch them. The rim is already 5mm outer than the front wing's edge so I will have to go for some tight tyre, something like 205/45/17 or 215/40/17 maybe.

215/35/17 is to be considered indeed, if I'd find that kind of stuff...

Cheers,
C.

**wrinx** · 12-10-11, 21:38

205/40/17 or 215/35/17...not 205/45/17, it's too big, 45 profiles are for the 16" option.

wrinx

**AlfaJack** · 12-10-11, 22:52

I use 215/40/17 - no problems.

**Xti** · 13-10-11, 06:51

Tire Size Comparison
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/50-15 4.0in 11.5in 23.1in 72.5in 874 0.0%
215/40-17 3.4in 11.9in 23.8in 74.7in 848 3.0%
205/40-17 3.2in 11.7in 23.5in 73.7in 860 1.7%
205/45-17 3.6in 12.1in 24.3in 76.2in 831 5.2%

Incredible low profile for 205/40-17 (and so very streched especially on 8J rims) but maybe my kidnies would bare 215/40-17.
The hardest thing now would be finding good roads to run with such rims/tyres setup...

Thanks for every suggestion, guys!

Cheers,
Cristian.

**SteveNZ** · 15-10-11, 10:40

Does anyone know the difference between 166 and 20VT Coupe Brembo calipers if any? Are they interchangeable?

**Steve Webb** · 16-10-11, 09:58

Well logic dictates that they would use the same calipers, but as well all know with Alfa/Fiat/Lancia this is not usually the case.

Eper has different part numbers for the Coupe 20v vt calipers and the 166 v6 calipers but that could just be down to the different arms of the company.

Also the 166 disks are 310mm and the coupe ones are 305mm.

Personally I can't see any reason for them being vastly different.

**hf hpe** · 17-10-11, 09:35

Originally Posted by SteveNZ

Does anyone know the difference between 166 and 20VT Coupe Brembo calipers if any? Are they interchangeable?

fiat coupe have 130mm mounting holes
166 have 150 mm mounting holes

**SteveNZ** · 18-10-11, 08:03

Thats quite a difference! thanks

**hf hpe** · 18-10-11, 21:04

the other diference is in pistons
166 is with 2 42mm pistons and 2 38mm
coupe is with 4 pistons but not sure for diameter

**fochista** · 21-10-11, 08:21

Originally Posted by fochista

As I drive a 166 3.0 I can try to have a look at the calipers... probably I can find out if the calipers could fit with 330mm discs.

Hi again!

I promised you to find out a little bit more on this. I took some time.

I made fotos from the 166 brake during I changed to winter tyres...

**fochista** · 21-10-11, 08:35

And I made some drafts!

Now I think that the 166 calipers do not fit very well with 330mm discs...

because of the inner shape of the caliper (I drawed it with the dashed line) you would have to move the caliper more to the outside and so you will loose some surface of the brake pads...

The distance between the blue dashed line of caliper and the 310 brake disc is about 3mm. To reach this distance at the upper and lower end of the caliper with 330 brake disc you will have to move the caliper about 6mm to7mm away from the disc...

ALL OF THIS ARE ESTIMATIONS! I have not done any measurements!

Saluti, Martin

**Suzumushi** · 30-10-11, 22:50

Originally Posted by Steve Webb

I did look around on ebay uk for some 166 calipers but there didn't seem to be any about. Any other places good for them?

A lot of them You can buy in Poland

http://allegro.pl/alfa-romeo-166-2-5...855737294.html about 100GBP for a set

http://allegro.pl/zacisk-prawy-przod...869255009.html the same price for set

http://allegro.pl/brembo-alfa-romeo-...902292742.html this one is interesting as seller is making full refurb in price and can paint it a desired colour and it's included in price 180GBP for set

http://allegro.pl/zacisk-czterotlocz...880173169.html 105GBP for set

http://allegro.pl/alfa-romeo-166-lan...896293800.html 125GBP for a set.

anyway after the two days reading of various posts on the forum i'm looking for a set for my q4, but first i must be able to produce somewhere brackets, or meaby someone have a spare set ?

best regards

**Xti** · 31-10-11, 07:38

I am also interested for a set of brackets.

Cheers,
C.

**Xti** · 22-11-11, 21:47

Originally Posted by hf hpe

fiat coupe have 130mm mounting holes
166 have 150 mm mounting holes

155 Q4 has 160mm mounting holes, isn't it? Thanks.

LE: sorry, 160mm is for holes on caliper.

Cheers,
C.

**hf hpe** · 22-11-11, 22:45

Q4 have 100mm mounting holes

**fochista** · 13-12-11, 21:00

Originally Posted by Suzumushi

A lot of them You can buy in Poland

Hi Suzumushi!

Thanks for that hint!

My uncle lives near "Warszawa". He bought it for me, because I can't speak and I can't read poslish...
I've got it already. Fotos are in my Q4 garage thread...

Now I'm going to make one bracket first out of wood in order to test the fitment. It will be based on the drawings from the "brembo threads". Thanks to all of you, guys!!!

Saluti, fochista

**Suzumushi** · 14-12-11, 08:07

Originally Posted by fochista

Hi Suzumushi!

Thanks for that hint!

My uncle lives near "Warszawa". He bought it for me, because I can't speak and I can't read poslish...
I've got it already. Fotos are in my Q4 garage thread...

Now I'm going to make one bracket first out of wood in order to test the fitment. It will be based on the drawings from the "brembo threads". Thanks to all of you, guys!!!

Saluti, fochista

great to hear it was helpful

world is really small anyway, i can see that You are from Austria, my father lives in Vienna for about 30 years right now

but anyway
if anyone will need something from PL just let me know, i can help as probably i know the language quite well

regards
W

**Steve Webb** · 14-12-11, 09:30

Originally Posted by Suzumushi

great to hear it was helpful

world is really small anyway, i can see that You are from Austria, my father lives in Vienna for about 30 years right now

but anyway
if anyone will need something from PL just let me know, i can help as probably i know the language quite well

regards
W

This is one of the reasons I added the members map to the forum (http://forum.berlinasportivo.com/vbgooglemapme.php) we are all a helpful bunch on here so I though it might be a good idea to know roughly where people came from in case they can help with getting hold of things.
I know some people are a little cagey about publishing where they are, so feel free to just put your marker in your home country. (hint hint)

**jimnielsen** · 14-12-11, 19:41

I am using the 166 calipers with the 305mm fiat coupe disks. Its a good solution - vastly better than the original setup, but its still not really good enough.

If I was doing it over, i would try to use larger rotors. Maybe the 310mm 166 rotors. the other problem is heat...

I did some testing at Phillip Island at the weekend, using brake temperature paint. The outer edge of the rotor is getting up to 600 degree c. This is too hot for these calipers and rotors. The Q4 is a difficult car to add brake cooling ducting to. Especially with the brackets that support the 166 caliper.

The bottom line is that I am going to have to add some brake cooling if I want the system to perform for more than 3 - 4 laps..