911 SC brake options

[bighead]

Hi,
Looking to upgrade the brakes on my 911SC. I’ve been trying to decide between the kits offered by Wilwood or Elephant Racing. Does anyone have experience with either of these kits? Any recommendations on which to go with?

https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/BrakeKitAdvisor?year=1979&make=Porsche&model=911&option=SC

https://www.elephantracing.com/porsche-911-brake-builder/

[kamaro]

I also was wondering which brake kit I should go with, then I decided to go with the Wilwood for multiple reasons : first being much cheaper, and second being made of 21st century technology. Also I have used Wilwood on so many car projects in the past and has 0 issues since I start use them 15 years ago, I even used them in a 700 HP '71 Firebird that I use for track days and sprint races.

I just ordered the kit and waiting for the arrival (they are built to orders).

[porsche930dude]

Go with upgraded pads first and see how you like it. I dont know what the current recommended pads are but thats what most people do.

[bighead]

Yes, I’ve done upgraded pads and the stock brakes work well. To be honest, I would like an upgraded look as well as upgraded performance. As we all know, calipers are like jewelry on a car!

Does anyone know who manufactures the calipers for Elephant Racing? I have most of their suspension parts on my car and have been impressed with the quality and service over the years. I have also had Wilwood calipers on other cars as well and been impressed with the performance.

[bbturbo]

I've been waiting for someone to do a write-up on the Wilwood kit for the 911 as there seems to be a lot of value there. A few months ago, I asked Wilwood if they'd give me a small discount so I could do a full write-up on Pelican, but they were pretty rude about it, actually. I'm curious on the input from the master brake specialists on said kit (like Bill V) as he really knows his stuff.

However, everyone will go into the whole "keep it stock because the factory brakes are great", which they really are (mine's stock), but there is something to be said about updating to modern tech for weight & aesthetics. Keep us posted on what you decide.

[bighead]

Other than being a direct fit to a 911SC, what are the differences if any between the original Porsche (Brembo) 930 brakes and Elephant Racings setup?

[Jeff Alton]

Despite what the literature states, the larger front brake package from Wilwood (12 inch) will not work with the stock Fuchs wheels.

Cheers

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by bighead

Other than being a direct fit to a 911SC, what are the differences if any between the original Porsche (Brembo) 930 brakes and Elephant Racings setup?

One of the few nits that can be picked wrt the original 930 calipers is that neither front nor rear has staggered pistons. Front is 38/38 and rear is 30/30

Elephant says that they have corrected that but don't provide details

w/o details I can't analyze the system

What I can say w/ confidence that you want to use the 304xx32mm front rotor and 309x28 rears

another minor thing is that some versions of the oes will need to shave the fins for front fitment w/ some 7s

and lastly w/ oe's you need a 23.8mm m/c, w/o more details I can't say what m/c the Elephants will want but most likely also a 23.8

[silverlock]

Interested in what the OP goes with. I like a lot of ER's stuff but the brake kits are very expensive ($3.6k alone for the "Boxster" kit), and the Wilwood's have a great rep and are about $2600 for the fronts and rears (with rotors, pads, etc). Only part that is unclear is whether you need a new/larger master cylinder?

Considering the 11.1" fronts and the cross-drilled rears for my '78 SC w/ 16" Group4 wheels.

[Locker537]

I can't blame you for wanting to go for a serious upgrade. If you like it, spend the money.

I've said it before though, the 3.2 Carrera calipers and rotors are a bolt on upgrade for an SC. Combine that with some cooling ducts on the front and you have a very capable combo.

That's what I use on a 90% track only SC.

[-Levi-]

I wanted the 930 brake setup but the cost was just too high, so I decided to do the stoptech kit for the 911 sc and have been very happy with it. Full bolt on, thicker rotors than the Boxster setup and a more modern caliper. Also it fits under 15 inch (or 16 in my case) wheels. Price was half the 930 setup

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by silverlock

Interested in what the OP goes with. I like a lot of ER's stuff but the brake kits are very expensive ($3.6k alone for the "Boxster" kit), and the Wilwood's have a great rep and are about $2600 for the fronts and rears (with rotors, pads, etc). Only part that is unclear is whether you need a new/larger master cylinder?

Considering the 11.1" fronts and the cross-drilled rears for my '78 SC w/ 16" Group4 wheels.

What problem are you and others having with the current brakes?

[bighead]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

One of the few nits that can be picked wrt the original 930 calipers is that neither front nor rear has staggered pistons. Front is 38/38 and rear is 30/30

Elephant says that they have corrected that but don't provide details

w/o details I can't analyze the system

What I can say w/ confidence that you want to use the 304xx32mm front rotor and 309x28 rears

another minor thing is that some versions of the oes will need to shave the fins for front fitment w/ some 7s

and lastly w/ oe's you need a 23.8mm m/c, w/o more details I can't say what m/c the Elephants will want but most likely also a 23.8

Bill,
Thank you for your always informative input. I wish there were more details/reviews on the Elephant Racing brakes. The big plus for them vs 930 brakes, is that they don't need to be modified to fit the rear trailing arms or shaved to fit behind 16in wheels. I thinking by the time you modify a set of 930 brakes to fit an SC you will have paid the cost of an Elephant Racing brake kit. I have already upgraded my MC to the 930 23.8 so I at least have one step completed.

[bighead]

Originally Posted by -Levi-

I wanted the 930 brake setup but the cost was just too high, so I decided to do the stoptech kit for the 911 sc and have been very happy with it. Full bolt on, thicker rotors than the Boxster setup and a more modern caliper. Also it fits under 15 inch (or 16 in my case) wheels. Price was half the 930 setup

Levi,
Do you have part numbers for this Stoptech kit?

[Locker537]

Originally Posted by -Levi-

I wanted the 930 brake setup but the cost was just too high, so I decided to do the stoptech kit for the 911 sc and have been very happy with it. Full bolt on, thicker rotors than the Boxster setup and a more modern caliper. Also it fits under 15 inch (or 16 in my case) wheels. Price was half the 930 setup

This is the setup I'd go with if the 3.2 Carrera setup met it's limitations.

[bighead]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Despite what the literature states, the larger front brake package from Wilwood (12 inch) will not work with the stock Fuchs wheels.

Cheers

Jeff,
Thanks on your input on the Wilwood (12 inch) package not fitting with Fuchs. Where is the interference between the brakes and the rim? Do you think it would interfere with all 16 inch rims? Have you personally installed this kit on your car?

[bighead]

Originally Posted by Locker537

This is the setup I'd go with if the 3.2 Carrera setup met it's limitations.

Not sure if I'm looking at the correct Stoptech kit, but Sierra Madre has just the fronts listed for $7k! If that's the price, I would go with 930s or Elephant Racing before Stoptech.

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by bighead

Jeff,
Thanks on your input on the Wilwood (12 inch) package not fitting with Fuchs. Where is the interference between the brakes and the rim? Do you think it would interfere with all 16 inch rims? Have you personally installed this kit on your car?

We have one in the shop right now. The problem with fuchs is that the desing of the center section "the petals" is based off 14/15 inch desing. So it hits the inner barrel.

I am pretty confident it would clear a true 16 inch wheel design as the issue is inner barrel diameter not, caliper overhang.

We will be fitting the smaller front kit in a couple of weeks when it arrives. But it has the same size rotor as stock SC, so the only "upgrade" is the caliper and pad size.

Cheers

[-Levi-]

Originally Posted by bighead

Levi,
Do you have part numbers for this Stoptech kit?

Yes,
87-782-FU00-R1
CENTRIC/ StopTech LEVEL 2A Race KIT Front 1969-1989 15" wheels w/no spacers

82-785-00E1-R1
CENTRIC/ Stop Tech Rear Level 2 Kit 1969-1983 15" wheels w/no spacers

I contacted pelican when I couldn’t find them
In the parts section and they were able to sell
Me the brakes in 2020. I paid somewhere between $4000-4500 all in. This version retains the parking break as well.

[chrisbalich]

In for firsthand feedback on that Wilwood kit.
This is the first I'm hearing of the kit.