Brake upgrade for an early model (1966) Porsche?

Scorp965 · 06-29-2004, 11:33 PM

Hello...

I have a heavily modified 1966 Porsche that is putting out quite a bit of power (nearly 200hp and over 250tq). Needless to say with that much power the stock brake system isn't going to cut it. I have been trying to look into brake upgrades for the car, but there doesn't seem to be a vast array of options available, especially considering I would prefer to retain the car's stock 15" fuchs wheels (which were reconditioned a month ago and have brand new rubber on them).

There seems to be a lot of applications using 993 turbo brakes, but there is no way these are going to squeeze under the lip of my wheels. Is there an option other than going with 17" wheels?

I have been considering upgrading to a larger brake master cylinder (to improve braking response) - is this a fairly common mod? Who has performed this swap, what are your reactions to it? Could a larger BMC, performance pads, ss brake lines, and cooling ducts provide me with a decent setup, or should I really be looking for an alternative set of rims to squeeze 993 brakes under? Is there a company that produces a pre-fab'd kit to swap these larger calipers onto my porsche? Are there other swaps that are done to these early 911's? eg boxter s calipers, 996 calipers, 930 calipers, etc.? What companies should I be looking at for such a kit?

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

contact will at csp.

CSP = "Classic & Speed Parts"
140 E. Santa Clara St.,
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626)445-0108

they have an upgraded brake kit for early swb cars, everything you need is included in it. you can run stock 15 inchers no problem. drilled rotors, vented rotors.. (rotors, calipers, axxis delux pads everything...) and it is a direct bolt on to whats already on there. no modifications or bastadiszing to make stuff fit.

tell him Harry Hoffman sent ya. he is honest, and will give it to you straight. no bsing. if he doesnt have what you need, he can help you find it, or give you some direction on what you need to go with.

SteveF_911 · SteveF_911's Garage

I race a 66 in club and historic events and over about 5 years of trying I have got a pretty good brake setup. My car only has 160hp and weighs 2200lb but on some tracks I need to brake heavily from 120mph to take a 30mph corner so I need confidence.

I use the M calipers with 20mm thick vented rotor, much like your std early Porsche. I run the Ferodo DS2500 racing pads and AP Racing 551 fluid. Brake lines are stainless and the master cylinder is a 17mm unit.

I change the fluid twice a year and the pads last about 6 to 10 events.

The 66 is a light car and stops well, I guess a good update would be a set of Alloy S calipers if you can find them.

If you want it to look good you can get a kit to make the Boxster caliper fit.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

930 brakes do fit under 15" Fuchs, you do need to grind down the sides of the calipers and/or uses spacers w/ the narrower 7" versions.

A better choice is just bolt on a set of Carrera front calipers and rotor and SC rear calipers and rotors w/ a 19mm m/c.

The 24mm front and 20 mm rear rotors are going to be fine for the light weight and modest power.

Do use decent pads, fresh fluid and cooling ducts for at least the fronts.

SteveF_911, try a 19mm m/c you'll like it I promise.

jakermc · 06-30-2004, 07:13 AM

I have a full set of SC rotors and calipers available if you need them

Paul Thomas · 06-30-2004, 09:00 AM

i have 19mm master for sale. $50

ttweed · ttweed's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Scorp965
Needless to say with that much power the stock brake system isn't going to cut it.

If your '66 still has the bone stock brakes on it, they are going to have 3" bolt spacing on the front calipers and solid rotors. You will have to replace the struts with the later 3.5" spacing to upgrade to any of the later "S" alloy, "SC" or 930 brakes.

There is a Girling 4-piston caliper that some have used to upgrade the struts w/ 3" spacing (maybe that is the "kit" that Harry mentions from CSP?), but aside from that and some early BMW Ate calipers, there are no true "bolt-on" upgrades for a '66 911 other than the '67S vented rotors and L calipers.

Upgrading the struts is a good idea anyway, as the design was improved for the ball joints/A-arms. Your best bet would be to just bolt on a complete Carrera front suspension, which can often be had for $6-800.

TT