Brake Upgrade

I have a 1973 911T, with the stock M calipers and ventilated disks. All four calipers were replaced with new units less than a thousand miles ago. So were the rotors.

My car is used 95% street, 5% track, and those track outings will be the usual kind of short sessions, like for a drivers ed event.

Now, my car has the luxe options and a 3.6 liter engine, so it's a couple hundred pounds heavier than a stock 73, and it has a lot more power.

My questions: is this an adequate set of brakes for my car, or should I upgrade to SC brakes (or later, with the required master cylinder, strut and A-arm changes)? Would S calipers in front significantly improve my braking? (I assume even S calipers would require new struts.)

My related questions: If these M caliper brakes are up to the task, should I nonetheless put in a set of cooling scoops (like the AJ USA set) or switch to a higher-boiling-point brake fluid?

I know that brakes are an arena where opinions diverge widely, and there's no shortage of manufacturer hype out there, muddying the waters. I don't care about how sexy my calipers look, but I don't want to have these things start to fade under track usage. Advice?

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 10-12-2000).]

Why not try the vents and brake fluid first, since the brakes are all new. Braided hoses??

If you are going to change brakes IMHO think about SC calipers with bridge spacers so you can use Carrera rotors. Then you can use your stock master cylinder, the Carrera calipers have larger pistons and I think you need the bigger master cylinder. The Carrera rotors are thicker than the SC rotors and will disapate more heat. Call Kevin Buckler at The Racers Group. He has more brake knowlage than most and mfg's. brake upgrade kits.

Some of my buddies install the Allen Johnson Cool Brake kits but remove the hoses and pickup pipes during the week but leave the backing plate on. Most use high temp brake fluid and change it offten, it absorbs water then boils faster and also rusts out the brake lines and steel parts. Before you start throwing money at this thing again, drive it for a while and see what YOU think it needs. Might have all of the brake you need right now, remember your name is Jack Olsen not Jack Brabham.

Parnelli Jones (in my dreams)
1971 911

OR... there is the guys at Windward Perf. that sell a very nice upgrade kit consisting of a 928s4 front caliper/rotor setup and balance bar utilizing the stock rears.(SS Lines etc) I have sampled this package on an early car and it is stunning. Almost as good as Brembo's on a late car. Also a dual master cyl. setup is a nice addition.

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77911s

Hi Jack:

Great car! I have seen your website and I am impressed with what you have done with your 911.

I have a '72 911T that is presently waiting for a race 2.7 7R case motor to be built. It should produce around 250hp and I will be upgrading my brakes/struts/shocks.

Here's what I am doing:
1) New Bilstein struts and shocks all around that will accept:
2) New Carrera ('84-'89) calipers and rotors

The Carrera brake set-up has the same rotor diameter and pad area as the S set-up, but the Carrera calipers are stronger and the rotors are thicker and ventilated.

I am told that this will be adequate for the increased horsepower. My car had the alloy S calipers and Koni struts and shocks - these will probably be sold on the Rennlist or on eBay.

I am told a really nice (and more powerful) brake set-up for an early 911 is the '78+ 930 Turbo brakes - they will also work with 15" wheels. And there is always the very expensive Brembo Big Red set-up! 8-)

Hope this helps!

Best Regards,

Kurt



[This message has been edited by kurtstarnes (edited 10-15-2000).]

What would be involved in adapting the car to take 86 930 brakes? In front, I assume I would need new struts (with the 3.5 inch spacing?). In the rear, I'm guessing I'd need the aluminum trailing A-arms, also with the 3.5 inch spacing.

Is that all I'd need?

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe

Guys,
FWIW, My mechanic, who races a lot, has steered me to 964 calipers front on 3.2 disks, and standard 3.2 on the rear.
I put that on my restored/lightweight '76 Carrera 3.0, and the results are great. I couldn't see any fade while storming down mountain passes with many hairpin turns. Plus the setup can be used with 15 inch fuchs rims. The 6 inch telephone rims will hit the caliper, though, but I can't think of anyone using these on a prepared car...
The setup is not even expensive :-)
Regards, George