How to upgrade brakes on 33

Im in the process of fitting the 164 discs just turned the o/d down and made the spacers, so far so good.but where do you get the longer bolts from that hold the caliper on to the hub? as they are 6.5mm short due to the spacer. Help Please so close but yet so far

Is the bolt you require the same as the one in the picture M12x1.25 50mm long?

I dont remember where the bolts I used came from but I'm sure they came from my Alfa junk box somewhere as M12x1.25 is quite a common thread used by Alfa in the suspension - if thats the correct size then you could order these

STAINLESS M12x50 (1.25 FINE PITCH ) ALLEN BOLTS (2) on eBay, also Other Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 29-Feb-08 19:38:18 GMT)

Gents,

I should be very careful before using stainless bolts on suspension or brake components as generally they do not have the required tensile strength (normally either 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 high tensile steel grades are needed).

Ta,

Ad

If looking at Aussie sourced calipers, the standard 6 cylinder VL Holden Commodore caliper has the same mounting holes as the Alfa 33, and uses a 257mm rotor diameter. I've got the calipers, just got to get around to getting the hoses made up....

(The VL Commodore V6 turbo calipers apparently have the same mounting holes, but are for 284mm rotors.)

Should be cheap as chips from any good wrecking yard in Aussie, and pads & parts are very readily available.

Cheers
David F

Oops ! Pushed wrong button!

Hi Baldy,
how do the bolts in the 164 caliper compare?
Need to find car with similar disc thickness and caliper make?
Try your local tool shop?
Nothing really constructive but hope it helps.
rsfruitbat

Originally Posted by ad

Gents,

I should be very careful before using stainless bolts on suspension or brake components as generally they do not have the required tensile strength (normally either 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 high tensile steel grades are needed).

Ta,

Ad

See the attached, high grade stainless is basically comparable to low grade high tensile, but there are other factors. I know if I had to choose between an old rusty high tensile and a new stainless I know which way I would go.

Keeping It All Together, Part 1

In terms of suppliers people like RS will stock things like this but you need a company - type discount. I did some ringing round and found what I wanted from an engineering supply company but you need to be able to specify exactly what you want in engineering terms. The article also helps.
KR James

James & Nick,

In the link you attached it states at the foot:

"What About Stainless?

Replacing the OEM-plated steel fasteners on the outside of the bike provides a good-looking, low maintenance cure for rusted nuts and bolts. When contemplating replacing OEM fasteners with stainless steel, remember that common stainless steel does not have the strength of common alloy steels and should not be used for critical, highly stressed applications. The stainless steel also has higher friction than steel does which gives less preload at the same torque. When in doubt, keep the OEM steel stuff for critical applications"

I think I'll settle for rusty nuts..

Cheers,

Ad

I think I'll settle for rusty nuts..

Cheers,

Ad[/quote]

Hi Ad - read the attachement - but thought a 10% under strength stainless vs a rusty tired old bolt - don't need much thread damage to loose 10%. You pays your money etc...
Thought the bit on torque settings and things like loctight very interesting - except in places like engine head bolts I've always gone for a 'by hand' setting as life is too short to set everything using a torque wrench - how many professional car mechanics use them?
If its a big bolt it gets lent on if its a small one not not as much. Comes with experience I suppose, and spanners are a different length for that reason, just have to bear it in mind using the rachet.
KR James

Originally Posted by ad

Gents,

I should be very careful before using stainless bolts on suspension or brake components as generally they do not have the required tensile strength (normally either 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 high tensile steel grades are needed).

Ta,

Ad

True. Originals are 8.8

Originally Posted by Pascs

The disc is quite a specific disc on the 164 - it was only fitted to the 2.0TS cars during those dates. BTW the bigger engine 164 have 5 stud fitting.

True

The disc is vented (a 22mm wide disc will always be vented) but not cross drilled - that pic is of an after market disc.

True.

Originally Posted by chipp

daewoo and holden/vauxhall are readilly avalible in australia just a walk through the wrecking yard and youll have some easily .

are all the calipers the same on this list.what i mean are they the same part just interchangable between the cars or do some have twin pistons and others single or are some pistons bigger than others.

They are all the same.

Originally Posted by Pascs

Still have a soft spot for the Sprint and tend to keep an eye on the 33, Sprint, Sud forum. I did hear that its possible to fit GTA 4 pot Brembos to the 33 type suspension

I'm a bit curious, could it have been my brake upgrade you have seen back then? Or was someone else first?
Click on the website link below
AlfaPower - Ainelands gula Sprint, Avställd. -NOS vindruteram sökes! - Powered by XMB (sorry guys for the non English spoken link)

In late 2006 I first tested my GTA calipers who was taken from a late 147 (330mm) with Fiat Coupe 305x28mm discs on one of my 33 16V on the road. The difference in braking is huge from the original 33. I If someone wounder why I "only" use 305mm discs with the bigger caliper is my answer that I bought the discs before I get the calipers home.
I bought the calipers from an auction at eBay in September 2006. The auction description sad it was the calipers for the 305mm discs. But that was wrong, instead I got the bigger one. The only said thing about that is that I must use minimum 17inch rims, but then I already got 17inch rims it doesn't really matter.
The bigger pad surface on the smaller discs is not a problem. The pads cover exactly the whole surface on the disc.

Originally Posted by Greg

I think i am the king of upgraded brakes for Sud/Sprint/33
I am now running a 315x28mm disc with GTA 4-pt Brembo calipers.
Click on my website link below and go to the 'Sprint on track' page for some pictures

I can tell you that you are NOT the only "king" out there (I don't think this is the requirement for the "King" title? )
Your disc may be little bigger than mine but my calipers are just a little bit bigger than yours

Anyway our brakes looks just great but the most important is that the performance are just super!
Once I tested to brake from just a bit over 180km/h to just below 70km/h. It only took a few seconds.
I love to brake late, really late


BTW, I have also tried to find the same type of calipers that Boris is using but my local scrapyard hasn't dismantled that type of car yet.
I want them for my daily 33

You can see the "GTA" brakes fitted on my Sprint in the attached pictures below.

You are an example to us all....... Well i didnt know if the 17'' would fit to my sprint so i bought 15'' 7j and i will fit brakes from a 16v with high pressure tubes and 5.1 brake fluids. I think it is an improvement over my default setup. i am still in a dillema wether i should leave the disk as they are or drill holes on them for beter look..... Currently i have just painted rear calipers and i am about to paint rear axel before installing them...

thinki will be lookin in a scrappy for some calipers

This is very interesting but can anyone tell me how to upgrade the brakes on a 33 to fit under 14 inch wheels please? You might tell me that its easier to change wheels to 15s but i don't want to do that as I want to keep the final drive own for my race Alfa 33 and I want to limit the expenditure were possible. Thanks.