BMW Calipers

[roadtrp204]

While cruising the junk yard this weekend I located 4 or 5 320's donors for my upgrade. But I also noticed some 2002's and a Volvo that had 4 piston caliper and was wondering if the 320 is the only choise for an easy swap. Another thing I noticed was my friend's SAAB has the emergency brake cables attatch to the front calipers, possiblility for the rear maybe(with at least equal upgrades to the fronts)? Anybody have a access to tech info on calipers? I am not trying to reinvent the upgade, just more or less out of curiosity.

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Chris
75 914 2.0L

[Joe Bob]

The Volvo's will fit. They can be used, but have some compatibilty problems. I have been told they are overkill.

As to BMWs, well there are so many of those around that you can actually get them from Pep Boys and Kragens for around $80 a pair, rebuilt with pads and a warranty. So, I would check there first.

Be advised that they need some machining to fit on on late 72-76 914s. They are bolt on for 70-early 72 models.

Hope that helps....


[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 04-11-2001).]

[Va914]

Does anyone have the Part numbers for the calipers? Is there a core charge? Will they take 914 calipers as a core?
What should I expect to be quoted to have the calipers machined to fit a '74?

Thanks

[sammyg2]

The Volvo 4 piston calipers have the same 3" bolt spacing as the BMW 320i and the stock 914 calipers. The Volvo pads are huge compared to stock, but they hang over the edge of the rotor about 1/4" (so do the BMW calipers). Most do not consider that to an issue.
Big difference is that the BMW calipers have to be machined about 1/8" to fit the later struts, while the Volvo calipers need to be shimmed about 1/8". A couple of flat washers can accomplish this, you can make a custom shim plate if you are more of the A.N. type.
The Volvo calipers also have dual brake fluid lines going into them. This is because the Volvo has a dual hydraulic circuit for safety, in case one fails the other will still work. In order to make them work on a 914 you will have to install a tee so that the single incoming brake line can be split.
Jeff adapted these to his teener, but went quite a bit farther and used the Volvo calipers designed for vented rotors. He then had custom large (read huge) diameter rotors made to fit his 911 front end.
I have a pair of Volvo calipers sitting in my garage waiting for me to get off my butt and install them. My stock brakes (with 19mm m/c) work just fine, so the motivation is not that strong yet. One of these days.

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Gerald Gore II (Sam)
73 914 350 small block

[oredith]

read back to http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum2/HTML/002701.html if you are curious about the volvo.. but it's certainly not as easily adapted as the bmw, and probably a bit un-necessary for an otherwise-stock car..

Jeff

[Joe Bob]

They won't take a 914 core and the core charge is minimal. The tech article will give you the parts #s and the model years.

[Doug914]

Hey Va914,
There's a more expensive yet super-convenient way to buy pre-machined new 320i calipers for the '73-'76 cars. A place called German Parts & Restoration (800) 321-5432 offers a kit for $400 that includes the pre-machined calipers, new hardware packs and your choice of competition brake pads ( I went with the Pagids). Yes, it's expensive but it's a bolt-on, no-hassle deal.

I purposely stayed away from the 911 suspension/brake swap because I really wanted to stay with the stock 4-bolt setup...I've got a good set of the Mahle alloys and I want to keep them.

I've plumbed a T fitting in place of the proportioning valve, and with the stock rear calipers (running Pep Boy's finest for pads) there's no propensity toward rear lock-up, even under heavy trail-braking at an autocross.

PP should offer just such a kit. Are you listening, Wayne? You could probably undercut GP&R.

[Brunofski]

I put the BMW 320 calipers on my 914 1.8 (in conjunction with new drilled front disks, 19mm 911 master cylinder, recon rear calipers and steel braided hoses) and they work really well. The extra volume of the BMW caliper is well compensated for by the larger displacement of the MC. I would check the volume of the Volvo calipers before you proceed - it could lead to excessive pedal travel - and how much extra pad area it will offer up - to much and the non-ventilated disks can overheat and warp ... you've been warned!

The point of this ramble is that the whole set-up works very well is easy to do (simple machining) and is an extremely good value upgrade without overkill and the problems that might incur.

Happy braking,

Bruno

PS The pedal still feels a little 'spongy' but I pretty certain that this is down to the brake proportioning valve ... soon to be changed for an adjustable one.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Doug asks:
> PP should offer just such a kit. Are you listening, Wayne?

Wayne's response was--"It's under consideration..."


Brunofski opines:
> I put the BMW 320 calipers on my 914 1.8 ... The extra volume of the
> BMW caliper is well compensated for by the larger displacement of
> the [19mm] MC.

Someone did the measurements and math for me the other day--the BMW brakes have 23% more piston area than the stock 914 ones, and the 19mm M/C has 25% more area than the stock 17mm one. Almost an identical match!

--DD

[Doug914]

Almost forgot to mention...my 320i caliper conversion retained the stock 17-mm MC, but with braided-steel lines replacing the soggy 27-year-old stockers and the "T" replacing the proportioning valve, the pedal stroke stayed about the same, and with a somewhat firmer pedal. Down side--the extra heat generated at the front will warp the stock solid rotors more quickly.

But with the flat spots in my tires, I hardly even notice!

[Va914]

If anyone has done this conversion and would like to make a few bucks drop me a line. I have just moved to the Richmond, va area and am having a hard time finding a machine shop to touch the BMW calipers.
SO!
I someone was to buy a loaded set of front calipers and machine them for a '74 and sell them to me that would be great.

Someone posted its about $80 for loaded calipers plus machineing,shipping and a litte xtra for your time..

Let me know.
Thanks