911 brakes and struts?

[Stock93]

I have a 1971 porsche 914. I found a 1969 porsche 911 parts car. It has the brakes and struts complete. It also has two brand new porsche windmill 5 lug wheels with brand new tires that come with it. I can probably get the wheels and parts car for around $350. Do you guys think it would be worth putting the struts and brakes from the 911 on the 914? I need brakes and wheels for the 914 anyway. I found more wheels like that are pretty common so that shouldnt be a problem.

John

[GregS]

John, there are a couple of Pelican technical articles you may want to check out. One deals with 911 suspension spotting features and the other with converting to 5 bolt wheels. Off the top of my head I can't remember whether the suspension you're looking at has 3" or 3.5" caliper mounting. The 3" mounting limits you quite a bit in terms of brake caliper upgrades. You might also want to do a search of the archives on the 911 and 914 boards to get a feel for what kinds of brake upgrades are available. There are many, and before you spend the money for the older suspension and brakes, you might want to check into it a little further. Hope this helps.

[roadtrp204]

Looking at the rotors in the parts section, it appears that 69-73 911s had vented rotors, in addition to the from 74 on but that is besides the point. I pick up a front assembly from a 73 so that is the association I am trying to make here. This is an upgrade from the stock setup. 1) This will ugrade from 4 to 5 lug pattern. 2) The caliper mounts are 3 inches across, meaning the caliper has the same size pads as your stock but the piston is larger. This is not the 3.5 inch mounting that most find desirable. What it does mean is that after the conversion, you will have the larger selection of wheels that 5 lug offers and the braking power of the heavier 69-73 911 in the lighter 914. To complete the conversion you should also get a 19mm master cylinder to maintain the proper hydraulic ratio due to the larger caliper pistons.

[Stock93]

I guess I'm really asking if this is worth doing. Will the bmw 320i calipers fit the 3" 911 struts as well? I would be putting the 19mm master cylinder in it any way I go.

John

[mr914]

If it has vented rotors, BUY IT, BUY IT!!!!!

First, they will be a direct swap into your 914. No changes to the ball joints. But, be sure and check the bottom of the strut to see if the hole that connects to the ball joint is ovaled. If it is the strut is junk. But the sum of the parts for $350 is a great price and you have some great trading stock....

19mm master cylinder is a definate must.

Rear brake conversion. There are many ways to go, but I ordered a kit (drilled/welded hubs, bearings, and 914-6 rotors) from GPR for about $350 and it works well.

Bad news, The front conversion is about 2 hours while redoing the rear is at least 5 hours providing you can get the hub and bearing out. I saw the $300+ price tag for the hub/bearing removal tool and about fell over, I'm not sure if any of the rental ones will work. I built mine out of some square tubing and welded the frame together, had a freind turn a bushing on his lathe for $20 and was good to go.

The wheels are worth $125 each for 15" and if they are 16" they are worth $150+. Nobody seems to want the 14", but, I have had a wild ride in a 914-6 on the track with 14" and slicks (Sidewall was maybe 3")

Unless you are running a hi-power motor and DE events, the increase in the diameter of the pistons is a nice upgrade.

[roadtrp204]

The 911 calipers should give you about the same braking action as the 320 BMW calipers. The bonus is the 911 calipers are for vented rotors, the 320 caliper fit over the stock solid rotors not the 911 vented rotors). Go for the conversion, the price is right for what you are getting. In my opinion, the addition of vented rotors takes you one step past the 320 caliper conversion.

[Stock93]

Thanks guys. I think I'll go get it asap. I have a 1971 914 which had the blanks or something for the 5 lug pattern.

John