EBC Brakes for the Maserati Ghibli: Which Parts Fit

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

We carry three EBC pad sets for the 2014-2016 Maserati Ghibli (M157): two Yellowstuff front sets, DP42355R and DP41540R, and one Redstuff ceramic rear set, DP32258C. Which front set fits depends on the brake package your car left the factory with, so the short answer is: confirm your front caliper and pad shape first, pick the matching front set, and pair it with the Redstuff rears for a complete upgrade.

How the Ghibli's brakes are built

Maserati has used Brembo fixed calipers on the Ghibli from launch. That means the pads sit between opposed pistons and are held in by pins and a spring clip, rather than riding in a bolted-on caliper bracket like most mainstream sedans.

At launch Maserati published full brake figures for the Ghibli S: ventilated, cross-drilled, dual-cast front discs clamped by six-piston Brembo calipers, with ventilated rear discs and four-piston rear calipers. Maserati quoted a stop from 100 km/h in 36 metres for the S.

The launch material did not break out the base Ghibli's brake hardware in the same detail, and the Ghibli family covers several power outputs: the base 3.0 twin-turbo, the higher-output S and S Q4, and a diesel in other markets. That spread is exactly why two different front pad shapes exist, and why you should look at your own calipers before ordering.

Which EBC parts fit your Ghibli

EBC fitment data for DP42355R lists it as a front pad for Brembo-caliper Ghiblis across a wide spread of outputs, including the 330 and 410 bhp versions. DP41540R is catalogued for the 330-output car. Because the two front sets are different shapes, the reliable way to choose is to pull one of your existing front pads and match the outline, or confirm by VIN with your parts supplier. Do not go by the badge alone: a car's brake package can differ from what its trim suggests if it was optioned differently or has had parts swapped.

If you are replacing discs at the same time, browse our brake rotors and match the diameter to what is on the car now. For everything else, start at the full brake parts catalog.

Yellowstuff vs Redstuff: what you are actually buying

Yellowstuff is EBC's fast street pad for sports sedans. EBC claims a 15 percent increase in braking performance over OEM and pitches it as a balance of everyday usability and high-performance capability. It is copper-free, R90 approved and made at EBC's friction factory in Bristol, UK. EBC stresses that Yellowstuff needs a correct bedding-in procedure, and for anyone venturing onto a track its current suggestion is Bluestuff or a pad from its racing range instead.

Redstuff is EBC's premium street ceramic: an aramid-fibre compound enhanced with ceramic particles, copper-free and with no steel fibre. EBC's headline claim is dust, which it puts at a 60 to 90 percent reduction. That matters on a Ghibli, whose open-spoke wheels show dust quickly. EBC says Redstuff takes around 500 km to fully bed down and that full bed-in can stretch to as long as 1,000 miles.

A practical combination is Yellowstuff up front, where most of the braking happens, with Redstuff at the rear. Note EBC's own caution on the rear set: do not fit upgrade pads to the rear unless the front has been upgraded too, because stronger rear pads on stock fronts can upset brake balance.

Symptoms that tell you it is time

• Pad wear warning on the dash. When it comes on, inspect both axles, not just the one you suspect.
• Grinding or a metallic scrape. The friction material is gone and the backing plate is on the disc. Stop driving it hard and plan on discs as well as pads.
• Vibration through the wheel or pedal under braking. Usually uneven disc thickness or pad material deposits on the disc face. Measure the disc before deciding.
• Long pedal or fade on a spirited drive. Check fluid condition and level first; old, water-laden fluid boils sooner under the heat a heavy, powerful sedan generates.
• Heavy black dust on the front wheels. Not a fault, but it is the most common reason owners switch to a lower-dust compound.

Doing the job: what to replace at the same time

On a fixed caliper the pad change itself is straightforward: remove the retaining pins and spring clip, push the pistons back evenly, slide the old pads out and the new ones in. There is no caliper bracket to unbolt for a pad swap. While you are in there:

• Wear sensors. If the old sensor has worn through or the warning was already on, replace it. A worn sensor keeps the warning lit on new pads.
• Pins and clips. Clean or replace them; corroded pins make pads hang up. See our brake hardware kits.
• Discs. Measure thickness against the minimum stamped on the disc. New pads on a disc at or near minimum will not bed properly and will wear fast.
• Brake fluid. Push the pistons back slowly and watch the reservoir. If the fluid is due, flush it with the specification in your owner's manual.

Torque the wheels and any caliper fasteners to the values in the factory service manual. Then bed the pads in. EBC says its pads largely bed themselves in normal street use over roughly the first 100 miles, and recommends waiting until at least 300 miles before driving aggressively. Expect some odour as surface volatiles burn off the first time the pads get properly hot.

Difficulty: a confident home mechanic can do pads on a Ghibli with basic tools, a torque wrench and a piston tool suited to opposed-piston calipers. Disc replacement adds work but no special skill. If you are not comfortable working on the brakes of a heavy, fast car, have a shop fit the parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there two different EBC front pads for the Ghibli?

The Ghibli was built with more than one front brake package across its power outputs, and the pads for each are different shapes. Match the pad outline on your car, or confirm by VIN, before choosing DP42355R or DP41540R.

Can I run Yellowstuff on the track?

It is not EBC's first choice for that. EBC positions Yellowstuff for faster street driving with occasional track use, and for owners heading onto a track it currently suggests Bluestuff or a pad from its racing range.

Will Redstuff pads really cut brake dust?

That is the main reason to choose them. EBC claims a 60 to 90 percent dust reduction and describes Redstuff as its lowest-dust pad.

Can I put Redstuff on the rear and keep factory pads up front?

EBC advises against fitting upgrade pads to the rear unless the front gets an upgrade too. Do both axles together to keep front-to-rear balance correct.

Do I need new discs with new pads?

Only if the discs are at or near minimum thickness, scored, or causing vibration. Measure them. New pads bed in best on a disc with a clean, even surface.

How long until the new pads feel normal?

EBC says its pads largely bed themselves in over roughly the first 100 miles of street use, recommends waiting 300 miles before driving aggressively, and notes Redstuff can take around 500 km or longer to fully bed down.

Sources

1. Supercars.net - 2014 Maserati Ghibli S - Ghibli S disc sizes, six-piston Brembo front and four-piston rear calipers, 36 m stop from 100 km/h
2. TopSpeed - 2014-2015 Maserati Ghibli - confirms Ghibli S brake dimensions; base car brake details not published at launch
3. EBC Brakes - Product focus: Yellowstuff brake pads - 15 percent gain over OEM claim, copper-free, R90, bedding emphasis, Bluestuff for track
4. EBC Brakes - Redstuff ceramic pads - compound, dust reduction claim, bed-in distance
5. EBC Brakes - How to bed in your EBC brakes - self-bedding over the first 100 miles, wait 300 miles before aggressive driving
6. ML Performance - EBC DP42355R fitment - DP42355R front fitment for Brembo-caliper Ghibli M157 variants
7. BMP Tuning - EBC DP32258C fitment - DP32258C rear fitment and the front-before-rear upgrade caution