Caliper questions
 

I have a 77 911 that is going to get breaks soon. What are easiest bolt on upgrades for calipers. Would the S calipers really help over the ones on there?? (They have the same size pad as an S just not sure if they are As or Ms what is the difference)Would monoblocks fit on with the rotors that I have??

Ben

Easiest upgrade (and cheapest) would be the Carrera A's and M's so you can use the 24mm rotors. Beyond this, you better open the check book wide.

The S calipers are light, but hardly an improvement and there is the likelihood that they will flex when hot. The alloy doesn't hold it's shape as well as the steel one...

Check out Bill Verburg's webpage. He has a nice progression list of upgrades.

this is the page (Bill Verburg): http://home.nycap.rr.com/wmv/generalbrmd.htm

Ben:

I'd "second" Souks suggestion and emphasize that "S" calipers are not a great upgrade. The Carrera brakes are FAR better.

Beyond that, you can really have better brakes but its not inexpensive to do so.

So a calipers of a carrera with carrera front rotors and leave the rears alone! This looks like an easy upgrade. This is were I was going before do you think I would get the same results.

Leave front and rear calipers alone but new pads of course and put cross drilled rotors all the way around??

Its seams the biggest thing is thermal reserves and for mostly street use maybe a few autocrosses would this give good results.

I was just thinking that I would not have to change anything and acheive possible the same stopping power as a carrera.

If that doesn't seem possible than I will upgrade front calipers and rotors all around.

The thing is all the rotors are shot so they need to be replaced any how and the crossdrilled rotors are only 60 bucks a piece so regardless they will be in the trash I just want to get the right ones

Ben

The cross drilled rotors will eventually fracture, and sooner than you think. Even the Brembo factory admits that the drilled rotors will fracture. I inspected a 965 once with less than 40K miles on it and the drilled rotors were already fractured.

If you are just street driving with a few AX, simply upgrade the pads when you buy new rotors. I've got a '76 with the same brakes as you do, and they have not faded at the track yet! I use Ferodo pads and good brake fluid. I might try some Performance Friction pads next.

Keep it simple and cheap....the stock brakes are not that bad. If you must, get some cooling ducts.

SOunds good Simply and cheap that is. Hey are you going to roll up for the car rally on the 26th?? I think you guys are doing the go cart thing a different date?? Just wondering

Ben

yep, just like Souk's last line - cool air is good. Before you open your check book... Make sure the stock brakes are in correct operating condition, then add pads and cooling ducts. I have run my stock M calipers this way on the track and they hold up fine.

Two "co-signers" today! Jamie and Steve! I think I'll stop posting for the day...I might say something bad :)

Ben, we have a birthday party for one of my short house mates that weekend. I will have to play it by ear....and maybe crash the party on the Lake :D

Wow I've never read that before.

Do a search - people have been saying the S calipers feel flexy for years.

Or did you mean the mechancism he prorpsed to explain the subjective feel?

Hot or cold the S caliper will never be as stiff as an A. As a result the pedal will never be as good.

Re: Caliper questions
 

They won't be M's if the pad has the same footprint. Also, M's use a 3" bolt spacing, not the 3.5 you apparently have.

S pads are slightly thicker and I'm told this results in a tiny fraction of the heat build up not transferring to the caliper body. Bill, can you verify or refute this?

You can use some grooved rotors if you feel the need to vent pad gasses.

I have run the A's on my 76 and then put the S's on it. The S's are junk. I will put on some Carerra's on soon with ducts. hopefully this will give me what I need.