911 brakes

[Joe Ricard]

Hey Guys, When I bought my car last month the PO threw in some 914-6 struts, What I am guessing are 911 hubs, and some calipers. What I want to know is what kind of calipers are they and what rotor do I need. The caliper is "ATE" steel with two pistons, one brake line. only numbers on them are 44 G. Definately need rebuild and new pads.
Hopefully will go to 5 lug when I get all the stuff together.

[Jim Smolka]

The 914-6 struts are designed with 3" spacing which means the M" calipers. Luckily, M calipers are readily available and not expensive used.

A better setup is to find SC or Carrera struts that have 3.5" spacing, which means A" calipers. The Carrera have thick rotors and wider calipers.

If you are going to track the car, I recommend purchasing the brake duct cooling kit from Pelican (see tech article).

[Joe Ricard]

So the "G" calipers are not what I need? How over rated are the 5 lug conversions? Seems like I don't get more rubber on the road with 6 x 15 Fuchs. the braking with BMW calipers is probably comperable HUH? street driving anyway. This conversion thing is cool in IDEAL WORLD.

[Joe Bob]

You won't get much bigger than a 205 tire on a 914 without flares....the four lug 15x5.5 will handle that unless it is the cheater Hoosier 205...they really spec out at 215-225.

If you want bigger brakes, the 320i conversion will give you 40% bigger pads, and slotting the rotors and useing Pagids Orange will make it stop really nice...

[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 10-10-2001).]

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The "G" on the caliper may not be relevant at all.

Measure the spacing of the caliper mounting bolts. 3" means it's an "M" caliper, 3.5" means it's an "S" or "A" caliper. The "S" calipers are aluminum, the "A" calipers are steel.

Those letters are the commonly-known designations for the calipers, not necessarily the letters and numbers cast into them.

If you have something else, it's not a 911 caliper.

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[JayDarden]

...DD Said "means it's an "S" or "A" caliper. The "S" calipers are aluminum, the "A" calipers are steel."

You would think "S" would be steel and "A" would be aluminum...

[Joe Ricard]

I was tinkering around with my parts and put what I have together. I mounted the caliper to the strut, put the aluminum hub on the spindle, and just need a rotor now.
I compared the caliper in question to the one on the car 914-4 and it is bigger by a little all ways around ie. 1/8" longer pad, the span between the pistons is big enough to put a vented rotor in. Going to need new pads also. P.S. already have a plan to route ducting for cooling.

[DDS]

I think S refers to the model of car it came from - 911S. M calipers came from the T and A calipers came from the SC.
EIEIO.

[Jim Smolka]

Joe,

Be sure to check out the following link

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_brake_cooling/mult_brake_cooling.htm

The above link insures that air will go thru the middle of a vented rotor instead of just cooling one side. I have test the system at the track, and it makes a BIG difference.

Another nice thing about 5 lugs, is that you can run the 5 lug Fuchs (my favorite). Also there are some 911/944 7" rims that will fit a 914. I have 944 15x7 rims with 225 tires for the track. 16x6" Fuchs with 205x55 fills up the wheel well nicely.

I will have to post some pictures soon.

[Joe Ricard]

So the fog is getting clearer, but still can't see through it. I believe the best way for me to go is to eventually go to the five lug set up. Jim S, the 944 /911 FUCHS would have to be early models? do you remember off hand what back spacing and off set you used. I guess I could measure this myself but so far you guys have all these problems solved already. Thanks.

[Jim Smolka]

Joe,

All 5 bolt Fuchs from a 911 (mid to late 80's) that are 16x6 will fit. I don't know about the offset though. The 944 15x7 and the 16x7 will also work, again I don't know the size offset. I have tried the 16x7 from a 911, they work on the front, but not so good on the rear (too much of a gap btwn the tire and the inner fender well).

[This message has been edited by Jim Smolka (edited 10-11-2001).]

[DDS]

All 944 rims to '86 and all 911 rims up until the SC will fit. The backspacing is around 5 1/4" IIRC. Post '86 944 turbo rims have deeper backspacing.
Unflared fenders can use 6" rims safely, 7's may be a problem. Search on old posts as there's lots on the subject.
WRT calipers, you might want to look at the difference between M and A calipers' swept areas and general rotor beefiness before you spend a lot rehabilitating the 914/6 stuff.
Again, there's lots in the archives here pro and con.
FWIW, I changed the entire front suspension to 911SC stuff so I'd get the bigger calipers and rotors, plus have the choice of 911 torsion bars. I got adjustable Koni struts in the bargain.

[DDS]

All 944 rims to '86 and all 911 rims from the 60's until the SC will fit. The backspacing is around 5 1/4" IIRC. Post '86 944 turbo rims have deeper backspacing.
Unflared fenders can use 6" rims safely, 7's may be a problem. Search on old posts as there's lots on the subject.
WRT calipers, you might want to look at the difference between M and A calipers' swept areas and general rotor beefiness before you spend a lot rehabilitating the 914/6 stuff.
Again, there's lots in the archives here pro and con.
FWIW, I changed the entire front suspension to 911SC stuff so I'd get the bigger calipers and rotors, plus have the choice of 911 torsion bars. I got adjustable Koni struts in the bargain. Picked up 4 15X8 BBS/Mahle wheels for under $200. Deals are out there, especially on 15" wheels.



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-- Dave
Pics of my '73 project here: http://members.tripod.com/mike4g/dds73_b4pics.htm