In want of better brakes

[moazam]

One of the cars I owned previous to my '86 911 was a 2002 VW GTI 337. This thing had amazing brakes. When I first bought it I actually had to get used to the brakes because everytime I'd tap on them they'd practically throw me forward. Once I got used to them, I loved them and they were very confidence inspiring. The GTI had 315mm (12.4") vented front and 256mm (10") vented rear brakes, I think these are the same exact brakes as the Audi TT.

Sooo question is, how can I get this kind of responsiveness from my Porsche? Do I need to upgrade the brake pads to racing pads, get different calipers, or new rotors? Or am I just feeling this because the GTI had power-assisted braking and my Porsche does not?

[kellzey]

What do you do with your car? Just for the street, or do you occasionally autocross or do driver's ed events?

Is your engine stock, or do you have more horsepower (i.e, you stuffed in a 3.8L twin turbo motor!)

From this point, you can get everyone's $0.02

[moazam]

Originally posted by kellzey
What do you do with your car? Just for the street, or do you occasionally autocross or do driver's ed events?

Is your engine stock, or do you have more horsepower (i.e, you stuffed in a 3.8L twin turbo motor!)

From this point, you can get everyone's $0.02

Good point,

I drive my car on the street, no track stuff. I will be taking it to DE/AutoX stuff soon. Stock 3.2 with SteveW chip.

I'd just like to get the same type of braking power that my ol' GTI 337 had, as long as it doesnt cost an arm and a leg.

[rvanderpyl]

If you can't lock your brakes up then there is something wrong with them, otherwise the higher effort is because the are not power brakes. I don't know if you can buy a kit to add power so you can just rest your foot instead of pressing hard.

The other idea would be to buy a car with really bad brakes and then the Porsche will seem effortless. I would suggect a mid 80's GMC S-15 pickup with no power booster.....Or any older American car with 4 wheels drums and no power.

Or maybe you can just start doing some leg presses and build up your leg strength

[moazam]

Originally posted by rvanderpyl
If you can't lock your brakes up then there is something wrong with them, otherwise the higher effort is because the are not power brakes.

Or maybe you can just start doing some leg presses and build up your leg strength

Heh, well I've never actually slammed on the brakes. I suppose I should go to a straight open road and try that sometime...

[MuffinMan]

Different brake pad compounds also give different brake feel, as some are "grabbier" than others. This is a route you can go down if to get the feel you're looking for. Also ensure you have a nicely bled brake system so that air in the system does not effect pedal feel or brake performance.

[Mike Feinstein]

Sounds like a pad issue more than anything else. Install a set of OEM Pagids, Jurids or Textar's and you'll be fine. Your pads my require heat before they really bite. Should probably flush the brake fluid if you haven't done in the last year or two.

[Steve W]

Moazam, the stock Carrera setup for the street is more than capable of throwing you forward on the lightest touch - very solid and responsive, so I think there is something wrong with your brakes. First thing I would do is replace all the pads front and back with factory spec pads, Textar, Jurid, or Pagids like Mike mentioned. They have a lot of dust, but have instant response for cold brakes. That would be the difference between hitting someone or not in an emergency. Simutaneously, have all your disks resurfaced assuming there is enough material left. And if your brake fluid hasn't been flushed in a while, do so. Some aftermarket pads do not respond well when cold( such as racing pads), or because of the metal content, such as Metal Masters, chew up the disks so bad that friction is poor. I think you will be impressed afterwards.

[ChrisBennet]

There is a bit of technique involved in getting the best stopping performance out of a 911. If you just slam on the brakes with a vicious stab, a 911's light front tires will lock up earlier than if you pressed quickly but hard so the weight has a chance to transfer forward before you go to maximum pedal pressure.

Starting in 1977 911 have had power ("vacuum assisted") brakes.

Tires are what really stops the car.
-Chris

[Bill Verburg]

I agree that it sounds like some nice low temperature street pads are what's wanted here, assuming of course that all brake system components are nominal.

Start w/ a flush, exercise and evaluation of all of the components from the booster to the calipers to be sure that they are nominal.