Brera & Spider Tuning

"Thank you for reading my Brera performance tuning guide."

The Alfa Romeo Brera was a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 2005 to 2010. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and was intended to be a successor to the Alfa Romeo GTV.

The Brera is a good car tuning project to play with. If you do your research then you can create an awesome Brera but don't be fooled there are lots of sports mods out there that will simply not suit it read our unbiased guides first.

The Brera was known for its distinctive and stylish design, characterized by its sleek lines, muscular curves, and aggressive front grille.

It was often praised for its unique and eye-catching appearance. The Brera was available in both coupe and convertible (Spider) body styles. The Spider featured a retractable hardtop roof, adding to its versatility and appeal.

The Brera was offered with a range of engines, including gasoline and diesel options. These engines varied in power outputs, allowing buyers to choose a model that suited their performance preferences and the engine choices were

• 1.75 L TBi i4 t/c petrol
• 2.2 L JTS i4 petrol
• 3.2 L JTS V6 petrol
• 2.0 L JTDm i4 t/c diesel
• 2.4 L JTDm I5 t/c diesel

The Brera also came in a roadster version, and bore the Spider name. They are great cars to drive and it is a mystery to us why only 35000 units were sold during the production run.

All engines respond well to tuning and upgrades, and the already capable chassis can be improved with a few choice suspension upgrades and modifications.

The Alfa Romeo Brera has gained a following among enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate its distinctive design and Alfa Romeo heritage. Well-maintained examples with lower mileage might hold some collectible value in the future.

While the Brera had an appealing design, it was often criticized for its relatively heavy weight, which could affect its overall performance compared to some of its competitors. However, the car still offered a sporty driving experience and the distinctive Alfa Romeo DNA.

Suspension Upgrades and Mods

Many Brera owners uprate the handling of their cars with performance suspension mods as a priority, this will certainly increase your enjoyment of the car. We would go to a maximum drop of 35mm on most models. You risk rubbing on the arches if you go lower than this.

Eibach offer an anti roll kit and the Pro Street-S Coilover kit will allow you to fine tune the ride height to suit your needs.

A supplier in the UK called Autolusso offers a special B12 coilover kit specifically for the Brera so it would be worth having a chat with the guys over there.

Bilstein B12 Pro kit works really well, we find parts quite hard to source for the Brera so please let us know if you have found any suitable parts and upgrades so we can mention them in here.

Autodelta are based in London area and they offer a wide range of upgrades for the Brera, from performance upgrades to body styling mods. They have extensive knowledge of the ECU and can help you to fully extract the power from your car.

Top end power should be your overall aim on the Brera with a nice fat peak torque band.

To be completely frank and honest, on the more modest engine sizes you are wasting your time spending money on modifications, so if this applies to you get yourself an engine swap then apply the following mods.

Engine tuning mods.

Typically these sports mods are usually installed by our members, decide how far you wish to go in your tuning project before you get started.

Getting the right uprated modifications for your planned usage of the car is vital. Stage 3 motor sport parts just won't work well on the road difficult in stop start traffic.

Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. Be sure to keep up with our latest YouTube content and subscribe.

Best mods for your Brera

1. Fast road cams are one of the most significant mechanical changes, but TorqueCars recommend they be fitted by someone familiar with setting them up on your car and tracking one down can be a challenge but you might find a local firm to regrind a stock cam .
2. ECU Tunes - provides the most advantage compared to cost, aftermarket ECU upgrades, and Tuning boxes are good options on the Brera.
3. Weight Reduction - The car is criticized for it's weight which does seem to mask its true performance potential.
4. Braking Mods - Improve your Brera's stopping power needs to be listed in your priority list.
5. Brera Handling modifications - Fitting a more sporty Suspension kit greatly enhances your Brera road holding and cornering. Adjustable coilovers and better bushings are what is needed here.
6. Turbo upgrades - forced induction is the most significant way to improve intake air supply, ensuring you are able to utilize more fuel and make more power. Although one of the most complex modifications it does provide the largest gains.
7. Low mass flywheel - a lower mass flywheel will significantly improve the engines free revving nature. Not always not a great upgrade for all Brera engines.
8. Air Induction kits and Sports Exhausts - Note that on their own these mods won't ADD HP for most setups, but they can help enhance power after other upgrades by lessening the restrictive flow.
9. Internal engine mods - crank, pistons, conrods & compression ratio including balancing and blueprinting

Brera Tuning Stages

Typical stage 1 mods often include: Sports exhaust, Alloy wheels, Suspension upgrade (drop 30-40mm), Lighter flywheel, Engine Tunes/Remapping, Panel air filter.

Typical stage 2 mods often include: Power/Sport clutch, Ported and polished head, fuel pump upgrades, Fast road cam, high flow fuel injector.

Typical stage 3 mods often include: Internal engine upgrades (pistons/head/valves), Sports gearbox, Adding or upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Competition cam, Engine balancing.

Your aim when modding the engine should be a nice flat torque curve. You don't want all the power to be at the top end of the rev range unless you are creating a competition car.

In this article we shall give an overview and introduction to the best mods for your car, but we'd encourage you to spend some time on the site looking into the details of each type of performance modification.

Fast Road Camshafts

One of the most cost effective mechanical tuning upgrades you can do to your NA (naturally aspirated) engine is to fit a fast road camshaft .

Colombo & Bariani offer a performance cam option for these engines with a duration of around 284° / 256°n which really does lift performance, although it will depend very much on other mods you've done to maximize these power gains.

The intake and exhaust flow play a large part in your cars power band, but be careful here, getting this wrong can upset the idle and make the car impossible to drive in traffic.

You'd need to follow a cam upgrade with other mods and finish with a performance chip or remap/tune for the best performance gains. You will need to ensure that the engine is not starved of fuel so will need to increase the fuelling.

Frequently power losses, flat spots and erratic idling after tuning modifications are done can usually be traced to timing or fuelling issues. Uprated injectors will enable you to supply sufficient fuel to the engine. If you've uprated your fuelling with bigger injectors you will also need to get a bigger fuel pump to supply it.

Weight Reduction Tips

Weight reduction in a car can have a significant impact on performance, including acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency.

Weight reduction can contribute to a more balanced and dynamic driving experience, making the car feel more responsive and agile.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the weight of your Brera and the potential effects on performance:

Remove Unnecessary Items: Start by decluttering your car's interior and trunk. Remove any items that you don't regularly need, such as tools, extra seats, or heavy accessories. Every pound removed can contribute to weight reduction.

Lightweight Wheels: Upgrading to lightweight alloy wheels can reduce unsprung weight, which can improve handling and suspension responsiveness.

Replace Heavy Parts: Consider replacing heavy components with lighter alternatives. For example, you could replace the stock seats with lightweight racing seats, swap out heavy exhaust systems with lighter ones, or use lightweight materials for body panels (if feasible and within legal and safety regulations).

Carbon Fiber and Aluminum Parts: Carbon fiber and aluminum are lightweight materials that are commonly used in aftermarket parts. You could replace certain body panels, hoods, spoilers, and other components with carbon fiber versions to reduce weight.

Battery: Consider switching to a lightweight lithium-ion battery, which is significantly lighter than traditional lead-acid batteries.

Suspension: Upgrading to a lightweight suspension system, including lightweight coilovers or adjustable shocks, can help reduce weight and improve handling.

Brakes: Installing lightweight, high-performance brake components can reduce unsprung weight and improve braking performance.

Intake and Exhaust Systems: Upgrading to lightweight and high-flow intake and exhaust systems can improve engine efficiency and performance.

Tires: Choosing lightweight and performance-oriented tires can reduce rotational mass, which can enhance acceleration and handling.

Aerodynamics: Improving aerodynamics can help reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Adding a front splitter, rear diffuser, or improving underbody airflow can contribute to weight reduction as well as performance gains.

Effects on Performance:

Acceleration: Weight reduction can improve acceleration by reducing the overall mass the engine has to propel. A lighter car will require less energy to accelerate, resulting in quicker 0-60 mph times. This also improves handling, a lighter car generally has better handling characteristics, as it can change directions more quickly and respond more effectively to steering inputs. It can also reduce body roll in corners.

Braking: Reduced weight means less energy needs to be dissipated during braking, potentially improving braking performance and reducing brake fade.

Brera Brake Upgrades

If you're anything like me, you know that driving isn't just about getting from point A to point B – it's about the experience, the thrill, and the connection you have with your car.

And let's face it, in a car like an Alfa Romeo, that connection is everything.

Brakes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about car upgrades, but they play a crucial role in how our cars perform.

Whether you're navigating twisty backroads or cruising on the open highway, having a reliable and responsive braking system is essential. That's where Performance Friction pads come into play.

What's so special about a performance pad, you ask? Well, let me break it down for you.

These pads are designed with one thing in mind: to provide the best of both worlds – improved braking performance and enhanced safety. And trust me, I've felt the difference, on a track when it counts a performance pad keeps delivering without fading away.

One of the standout features of Performance Friction pads is their stopping power. The advanced friction materials they're made from give you that extra reassurance when you need to hit the brakes suddenly.

It's like having a direct line of communication between your foot and the road. I've found that these pads make a real difference, especially when it comes to those heart-pounding moments that catch you off guard.

But that's not all – these pads are engineered to handle the heat. You know that feeling when you've been pushing your car hard, and suddenly you notice your brakes aren't as responsive as they were?

With Performance Friction pads, that fade resistance is on another level.

Now, I know what you might be thinking – do performance pads come with a trade-off, like noisy stops or dusty wheels? Well, I'm happy to report that Performance Friction pads have managed to minimize those annoyances.

They're designed to keep things quiet and clean, so you can focus on the road ahead without any unnecessary distractions.

In the end, it's all about that perfect balance – the balance between pushing your car's limits and knowing you have the control to rein it in when you need to.

Upgrading your brakes might not be the flashiest modification, but it's one that can have a profound impact on your driving experience.

So, next time you're itching for an upgrade, give those brakes a thought – and consider giving Performance Friction pads a shot. Your Alfa Romeo, and the driving enthusiast in you, will thank you.

Forced Induction Upgrades.

Adding a supercharger to a Brera engine can provide stunning amounts of extra power and torque. Superchargers force more air into the engine, allowing it to burn more fuel and produce more power

Your results will certainly vary depending on the specific engine, and type of supercharger being added. There was a really nicely sorted Brera J5 3.2 which boasted a Rotrex C30-94 supercharger and this gained around 88hp more power. 0-60 was just a shade over 5 seconds.

On most AlfaRomeo engines the supercharger proves to be a relatively Simple Installation especially if you have one as a kit with all ancilliary parts you need.

However, the ease of installation can still vary depending on factors such as the vehicle's design, available space, and compatibility with the supercharger kit.

It's important to note that while adding a supercharger can offer significant benefits, it may also require certain modifications to the engine and supporting systems, such as the exhaust, cooling, and fuel systems.

Proper installation and tuning are crucial to ensure the engine operates safely and reliably after the supercharger is added.

If you're considering adding a supercharger to your Brera, it's recommended to consult with experienced professionals or mechanics who specialize in performance modifications to determine the feasibility and potential challenges associated with the installation.

Intake and Exhaust Tuning.

Breathing mods are usually next up. Please note that WE DO NOT RECOMMEND INDUCTION KITS without a cold air intake, and unless you have tuned your car extensively and are finding that the standard air intake has become a restriction there is not much performance argument to adding one to your Brera.

Derestricting the airflow into the engine is the primary part of tuning so get a better flowing air filter if you find that the car is running lean.

Induction kits can sound sporty but due to the warm air in the engine bay they will not add noticeable power and actually rob you of power.

Sports exhausts can help equal out the flow of air through the engine. But if the exhaust is too large, ie: it's over 2.5 inches bore, you will lose a lot of the flow rate and end up losing power and torque.

Head work including a polish and port and 3 or 5 angle valve job will really help to release the potential of the engine. Your clutch can fail if it starts to break and the standard clutches are only ever good for power gains of up to 48%. Fit clutch to avoid power loss through the transmission. Remaps offer significant power gains on all turbo charged cars.

Alloy wheel upgrades.

Due to the fact that alloy wheels are less heavy they improve performance and they will help to cool the brake disks. Large Brera alloys can decrease performance. If you get big alloys you will be changing your final drive ratio.

Although some people have fitted larger wheels we would restrict ourselves to a 18 inch rim size as the maximum.

If you would like to know more, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your car please join us in our friendly forum where you can discuss Brera options in more detail with our Brera owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased Alfa Romeo tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.

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