Shop4Parts - UK's largest online superstore for FIAT and Alfa Romeo parts

Technical Modifying brakes after putting in an 1242

Currently reading:
Technical Modifying brakes after putting in an 1242

Welsh Jon

Welsh Jon

Patron member
Joined
Oct 11, 2007
Messages
130
Points
52
Location
Crawley
Hello there!

I'm gearing up to putting a Punto engine into my Panda 4x4, and would like to pick you brains! :D

As I'd have more power, I'm guessing as the Panda brakes were never really designed with more than around 50HP in mind that it might be a good idea to change the brakes?

Which brakes would I be putting in? I gather that the Selecta being an automatic might have callipers of greater braking capacity, and might bolt straight in?
I'm also guessing that the Selecta being a Panda might be hard to track down a pair of callipers for it as well? Working from that idea what other callipers might be compatible with the Panda?

Many thanks for any suggestions, comments or advice,

Jon
 
Welsh Jon said:
I'm guessing as the Panda brakes were never really designed with more than around 50HP in mind
Click to expand...

I used to have a 750 and the brakes on my pushbike are better :eek:. Bloody diabolical..

The Parade's brakes aren't too bad, TBH. It's got front discs, servo assistance, and doesn't weigh a lot.. it slows down well enough. However, I do have to remind myself that it doesn't have ABS when I'm driving.. shall we say spiritedly :p

You're right to think about the brakes though, if you're going for a bigger engine. I'm sure panda-sport (our resident 1242 conversion expert) will have some words of wisdom.

Cheers,

Plug
 
A controversal start, there is very little reason to go for bigger brakes with the engine upgrade as there is little change in wieght. It needs the same force to stop from 70mph however quickly you get there.

The selecta does indeed have 'bigger' brakes (240mm ) with, as far as research has found, unique and expensive calipiers that have exactly the same bore as the standard panda ones. The selecta has bigger brakes not for the extra power but for the extra wieght over the front axle due to the cvt box.

The brakes do need to be in good condition tho :). The Panda's master cylinders seem to suffer with age (its the seal design thats suspect) so if the brakes feel below par then I would replace. Replace/uprate the brake fulid, it should be replaced every 2 years anyway:eek: as ir absorbs water which reduces its performance. I would also recomend you to fit braided brake lines too, they swell less than the rubber ones giving a better feel/performance.

If after doing all this and they still don't feel up to the job then I would recomend that you use uprated standard size disk and pads from the likes of red-dot, ebc, tarrox etc. It's very easy to overbrake the Panda due to its light wieght, when first introdued it was in the top 10% for brake efficiency, as it doesn't have ABS like modern cars.

If you must have bigger brakes then its custom stuff as there is nothing I've come accross that bolts on to the Panda. I've run my Panda with the standard brakes and with 259mm vented Punto GT brakes on custom brakets (how to on the way when I remeber to take some photos) and there is little difference on feel or performance. I am constantly looking at other options as some of my other Pandas are going up slightly in wieght and will report back with any updates.


A last word, don't forget the positive effect good quality tyres have to the braking effect(y)
 
The braking system was the next on my list to get some attention. Good to know that there is little difference with converting to bigger discs etc.

Are new panda/y10 brake components easy to source?

Cheers
Dave
 
Hmmm ... I'm beginning to think that I have more talked myself into this based on the idea that my old SAAB 96 has more responsive brakes and they're not considered to be the best. Though has you have said Panda-sport pads and shoes make a hell of a difference and the SAAB ones are all new :eek:. Come to think of it the brake hoses on the SAAB are braided too :chin:

Well, I think the way forward will be to show my Panda's brakes a lotta love (maybe braided hoses) and buy a good set of tyres - am looking for alloys anyway, so I'm sure a set of good 165's will help things too :D

Thanks! (y)
 
im with panda-sport on this one.

and i would say increasing from 50bhp to 60bhp really doesn't require bigger/better brakes.

the panda ones really aint that bad.
i THINK you can get really good pads, and drilled slotted disks the right size to be a straight swap. that would be good.

but prob not necessary for 10hp more.
i had a 1242 8v white 4x4. it was BRILLIANT ! to drive, and i had no issues with brakes at all, it never even crossed my mind to change them due to the engine.

have fun. and give us all soem pics when you do it.

aran.
 
I agree with panda sport, give them a good service and they'll be fine. Also look at investing in some better tyres

When i got my panda in march 2006 the brakes were shocking, the disks were rough and the tyres were originals. After driving it for a while, maybe a few months the disks smoothed out and the brakes were getting stronger. Soon after i replaced the front tyres with some continental eco contact 3s (165/65/13 - this size also makes your speedo more accurate) and the braking was improved a HUGE amount, literally the car must have been stopping in about half the distance. Then once the tyres had been worn in i found the brakes werent quite up to locking the tyres, they were too grippy!!! I replaced the brake fluid and now they're superb.

I drove a citroen saxo vtr (1.6) which is considered one of the best handling small hatches out there and my panda brakes were a LOT better than the saxo's
 
YAY! Getting all excited now!

From the responses here I think I'm just going to show the brakes some love and keep them close to standard for now, though I do like the idea of some braided hoses even just based on the idea that they should never need replacing.

I'm close to gathering all the information I need now! All thats really left is to buy some bits in and start the work! (Keeping the camera close by of course ;)).

Thankyou for your help guys, I'll keep you posted as to the progress!

Jon
 
Bringing this topic back with avengence....

Would anyone know a good source of some vented replacement discs and braided hoses I could use on my 4x4? I am concerned that the vented discs will be thicker, and if so can the standard calipers be used?

Thanks for any help in advance, (y)

Si
 
hmm. if the discs are wider, then really the pads would need to be thinner. With a wider caliper you run the risk of having them foul on the inside fot he wheel, which will then mean having to fit spacers.

I think http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/search_car/product.mhtml?car=fiatpanda willl be your best bet. if not get googling.

Could possibly try uno discs, although they may be a larger diamater meaning modification of the caliper mounting bracket
 
CLXCraig said:
hmm. if the discs are wider, then really the pads would need to be thinner. With a wider caliper you run the risk of having them foul on the inside fot he wheel, which will then mean having to fit spacers.

I think http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/search_car/product.mhtml?car=fiatpanda willl be your best bet. if not get googling.

Could possibly try uno discs, although they may be a larger diamater meaning modification of the caliper mounting bracket
Click to expand...

Thanks Craig, there's a lot of cool stuff on there! :cool:

I was thinking of going down the bigger disc route, but wasnt sure how easy it is to modify an existing bracket or construct a new one to accomodate it. I will have a closer look tomorrow to see if its do'able.
 
pandamonius_maximus said:
Bringing this topic back with avengence....

Would anyone know a good source of some vented replacement discs and braided hoses I could use on my 4x4? I am concerned that the vented discs will be thicker, and if so can the standard calipers be used?

Thanks for any help in advance, (y)

Si
Click to expand...
Although this doesn't answer your question, perhaps you don't need to go to vented big discs Si? If you are worried about fade, then good pads are the first stop. I have fitted some EBC greenstuff to mine and the difference in stopping power is pronounced over good normal pads. I am going on a trackday at Llandow on 5th September which should show whether I can avoid fade when pushing hard for a long time. Perhaps these results will help you.
 
lewey said:
Although this doesn't answer your question, perhaps you don't need to go to vented big discs Si? If you are worried about fade, then good pads are the first stop. I have fitted some EBC greenstuff to mine and the difference in stopping power is pronounced over good normal pads. I am going on a trackday at Llandow on 5th September which should show whether I can avoid fade when pushing hard for a long time. Perhaps these results will help you.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I would prefer to keep things simple if I can, so I'm interested to hear how you do!
 
Brakes from Selecta would be the easiest way...I heard (even remember some picture) of Panda with Uno MK1 brakes...with disc at rear wheel...

Also if you've got brakes in perfect condition, they should be good enough :)

Selecta front brakes:
 

Attachments

  • hamulce_selecta_01.JPG
    hamulce_selecta_01.JPG
    860.7 KB · Views: 30
  • hamulce_selecta_02.JPG
    hamulce_selecta_02.JPG
    844.3 KB · Views: 26
And some pictures of "hallmars"s Panda with brakes from Uno Turbo
(front vent discs and rear discs). Rear without any changes, in front he made new hole for bolt (see pictures with arrow)
 

Attachments

  • f352e1696795072e.jpg
    f352e1696795072e.jpg
    72.9 KB · Views: 49
  • dceb22ed47f220c8.jpg
    dceb22ed47f220c8.jpg
    124.6 KB · Views: 45
  • 17dc16c5633fae87.jpg
    17dc16c5633fae87.jpg
    50.5 KB · Views: 55
  • 2261e95797ddedf8.jpg
    2261e95797ddedf8.jpg
    70.6 KB · Views: 44
  • 761940a0c53deda2.jpg
    761940a0c53deda2.jpg
    63.5 KB · Views: 56
Hmm the selecta calipers are definately different unfortunately. I need a new pair though as I've cleaned up the 24 year old ones too many times now. They are seizing up regularly :( Chi Chi gets all new stuff now anyway, she received pretty much no attention from me for the last 2 years (mechanically speaking) and so lots needs to be replaced. Might be looking at new leaf springs soon, and definately need new front shocks. Another topic anyway!

Thanks for all your help so far, I have not got a lot of experience with brakes (apart from standard ones!) so I am very greatful.

Cheers!
Si
 
firstcar-Y10 said:
http://www.needforspeed.co.uk/pages/sbv_c.asp?Type=1&Vehicle=FTPAN01&User=NFS
got a set of braided hoses from there which are, like so many things, sitting in the garage waiting to go on. Hoping for great things as, even after bleeding my brakes like a medieval physician with a new leech franchise, I still have an awfully spongy pedal:(
Andrew
Click to expand...

Sorry Andrew, just missed your post :eek: Thanks for that, I may get a set if the price is right.

These discs could be good. Need to ask around but are Black Diamond brakes good?

Black diamond discs - panda
Si
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hharbers
Technical Backfire after timing adjustment
Replies
9
Views
82
bugsymike
B
T
  • Question
General I have a Fiat Panda that does not have an Imperial, but does have square cutouts in the roof with thread (M6).
Replies
6
Views
156
rmjbn1
rmjbn1
T
Technical Front flexi hose clips
Replies
2
Views
86
tobywood13
T
G
General No brakes!!!
Replies
14
Views
837
Good104
G
Hharbers
Technical Oil in 4x4 transfer box ?
Replies
1
Views
216
Hharbers
Hharbers
Back
Top