Brembo Race Calipers

So a few weeks back you may recall that I was astounded with the brake set up on Joe's race car at Snetterton. So much so that I called Tom up the following Monday for a "chat".

I have shall we say gone a little overboard with my brake upgrade. After our chat, Tom had spoken with Brembo to build a pair of XA2.E7 Series 4 race calipers in replacement for my new and unfitted F50 calipers.

The 2 piece race disc setup will remain the same. Incidentally, the discs are the same as the below picture which I don't believe I have posted up before.

332 x 32mm fully floating 2 piece race disc set up

I was down at TGM today so took a look at the new kit. The F50's were still there so I was able to do a quick visual comparison.

F50 Caliper picture for reference

XA2.E7 Race Caliper

Notice the quick release retainer. Pad changes should only take seconds :)

Notice the F50 has dust seals around the piston holes. The XA2.E7 does not, plus the holes are much larger! Note: this photo is misleading due to the angle of the shot. The F50 is a much smaller caliper which you'll see in the next photo

Notice the size difference between the two calipers. And I thought the F50s were wide!

The XA2.E7's as with all race calipers run without dust seals around the pistons as in brutal race applications where there is prolonged serious heavy braking, they would melt. This will mean that I'll have to keep on top of them and clean them out on a regular basis. Given my car is a weekend car at most (and only driven hard on track) this is no big issue.

Anyway, some tech specs of the XA2.E7 below (check out the piston size and pad thickness - absolutely immense!)

• 2 piece aluminium caliper body
• 2.95kg
• Piston size: 38mm, 42mm
• Piston area: 50.39cm²
• Pad area: 63cm²
• Pad thickness: 25 - 26.5mm

I am so looking forward to testing these out on track next season. I absolutely cannot wait!