944S - Conversion to Turbo brakes?

[MrBattleRabbit]

Hopefully this is a simple question. I know that switching from stock brakes to the brakes from a 944 Turbo is not a straight-forward bolt-on swap for 8v NA cars. Is it simpler for 2.5l 16v cars?

I noticed that Pelican has the same steering knuckles listed for the 944S and 944 Turbo:

Turbo:
1987 Porsche 944 Turbo Coupe - Steering System - Page 3

944S:
1987 Porsche 944 S Coupe - Steering System - Page 3

The same front struts are listed for non-M030 944Ss/Turbos as well. If these parts are truly shared by the 944S and the Turbo, then a brake swap should be pretty straightforward, right?

[v2rocket_aka944]

No, the 2.5 16v cars had the same spindles/brakes/front suspension as the base-model 8-valve car.
It is not a bolt-on job, you need the entire 951 setup to work.

That said, the stock brakes are WAY more powerful than most anyone could ever need, provided you had good tires to back them up.

Turbo brakes with bad tires won't make you stop any better.
If you are hell-bent on having 4-piston front brakes you can use the 4-piston caliper from a 1980s-1990s Volvo 240 and it DOES bolt onto your 944 spindle.

http://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/962450-write-up-budget-4-piston-calipers-for-944-na.html

[kevingross]

The 944S has the same steering knuckles as the 944 NA, and so those would have to be swapped to accommodate the 944 Turbo brakes. I made this change on my 944S many years ago because its brakes were marginal entering a small number of high-speed corners on certain tracks. The struts are not the issue in terms of fitment.

If you get a set of good used steering knuckles, I highly recommend having them tested before installation, specifically the spindles. There are local companies that do materials testing just about everywhere; find one close to you. Good luck!