Brakes for 240 Volvo

[Psycronic]

I currently drive a B23E equiped 240GL ('83) and I want to improve the handeling and braking. I have found alot of info on suspension for my car, but brakes are a different matter.

I would like to fit larger brakes and would like to know if this possible with factory parts or is there an aftermarket kit available.

[Hank Scorpio]

This has already been talked about but just upgrade the pads and rotors. No need to go bigger, 240 brakes absolutely rock stock.

Doug

[Volvo78GT]

... just put new/rebuilt calipers, good brake pads, new lines, possibly new master cylinder, good brake fluid, good rotors (slotted and x-drilled are options) and a couple more that i'm sure to be missing. make sure the fronts are ventilated... thats the only real upgrade... other than the rotors and type of pads. you could have ducting to make better cooling...

a properly set up brake system (make sure you have good wheel bearings and not-leaking axle...) really should be one of the best braking systems out there... modded 911's (porsche variety) of (I believe) 70's and 80's vintage actually use 240 brakes as an upgrade... and that the 240's front brakes are the same on some model of Ferrari... you see, there's four pistons each wheel in the front... which is damn impressive as its the same number on brakes that are "high performance" on new cars today... you ever wonder why they had the same brakes from 1975 to 1993?

as for the ABS, i'm not sure if its better or not... maybe better control but i'm not sure about distance... i'm ok without, myself.

[Psycronic]

are the front calipers 4 piston or 2 piston? mine look like they are only 2 piston

[Hank Scorpio]

4 piston, 2 a side.

Doug

[Anonymous]

My brothers 242 GT has stainless brake lines Mintex pads and ventalated slotted rotors w/ super blue ATE brake fluid and it stops on a dime. You really have to get used to them when you first start to drive or jerk a little too much :wink:

[SRK]

I agree that the 240 has great brakes, but they are not overkill by any stretch. In my last 240 I installed a 5.0 HO Mustang engine with a T-5, and even the ventilated brakes were not up to the task at times. Best to use the ventilated rotors of the Turbos and GLT's, and not the solid ones.
Posche's don't need any upgrade, and the 911 brakes are certainly bigger stock than anything Volvo ever installed at the factory. That must be some kind of myth floating around. And Ferraris use extremely thick rotors (like Porsche) and no Volvo caliper would fit. Myth again.

[Volvo78GT]

hmm...

the "myth" is of older 911's... when they didnt have as prodigious power and brakes... they handled great and were light... didnt need as much power for fun fun fun

as for the ferrari's... its my understanding that the front brake design is the same/similar to ferrari's of the mid 80's or something...

dont bash them too much. get stainless lines, some ducting for cooling, good pads, new rotors of ventilated/slotted/x-drilled variety (preferably brembo... the real ones) and they stop pretty good. far better than the drums in the back/passable front brakes in the 5.0's of the 80's