Need brake advice

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

Men,

I'm putting together my 83 944 and I noticed my front brake pads need replacing. I'm at a crossroads as to what to do. So here is my story:

I have replaced my front shocks with Koni yellows, Weltmiester 200 lb springs with all new top mounts, stops and such. I upgraded the front sway bar from the original to a 86 951 sway bar with new bushings. I have 17" turbo twist wheels with Bridgestone pole position 225/50 ZR 17 tires. The rear is lowered with Koni adj yellows, a 951 rear sway bar and 17" 255/40ZR 17's. Brakes in the rear are OK. They look small but I'm OJ with it.

Question?? What do I do to the fronts? Do I just replace the pads and with what brand or................do I go bigger and just go off the deep end and go with slotted/drilled larger rotors and bigger calipers to suit.

This is a money pit and I'm OK with it to a point. What makes the most sense? I do not race, I want a summer car that looks good, runs and handles well.

Your thoughts?

Icey1174 · 06-01-2007, 06:06 PM

If you already have that kind of money into it and you don't mind spending more... Blow the wad for sure! That's what I do. You already have some decent extras that you don't really need for street driving. Pictures are ALWAYS fun to look at too!

Keep us posted on your decision.

onZedge · 06-01-2007, 06:21 PM

OO, OO, OO... GET THESE!!

http://www.rennbay.com/944-big-brake-kit-p-83.html

Icey1174 · 06-01-2007, 06:23 PM

Get those for sure! And we need pics!

Eldorado · 06-01-2007, 06:33 PM

LOL oh u guys. give him a break.. or rather, give it to his wallet

the stock brakes are MORE than fine for "normal" driving... I have drilled rotors in the front, stock flat rotors in the back... to be honest, i dont notice any difference.

get yourself stock brake parts and just be done with it... or if you've got some wheels that show the rotors, get some drilled rotors... adds a little flare.

Icey1174 · 06-01-2007, 06:40 PM

Stock everything is "fine." Some people want more than fine. Based on some other addition he has, why not the bigger better brakes? I doubt you would notice a difference street driving. Some people also buy cars that go over 200MPH... but where can you go that fast on the street?

Personal perference is all.

Buy what you want and like. The big brakes would look nice on your car!

Yes... I agree, if you can't see them and you are only street driving then don't waste the cash. If you can see them, then the rotors and calipars would look hot!

Eldorado · 06-01-2007, 06:48 PM

"I do not race, I want a summer car that looks good, runs and "
handles well."

this description tells me that stock brakes would be more than fine.
the other suspension parts are great, i'll give him that.. and you'll really feel the difference with those.. but with brakes, if you're not going to use something for it's intended purpose (ie. big brakes for racing) then you're just throwing your money out the window.

onZedge · 06-01-2007, 07:19 PM

Yes, the stock brakes are excellent. You can improve them by way of different pad compounds. I looked into converting to turbo calipers, until I found out that if I did that, I would actually be DECREASING the brake pad swept area. And then I would have to get bigger wheels to fit them, different spindles, yada, yada, yada... Not even worth it for an autocross car IMHO, unless you have access to free parts cars.

Dave L · 06-02-2007, 06:45 AM

Going to a larger brake set up will reduce fading during repeated hard deceleration (ie at the TRACK) due to quicker cooling because of the larger size of the rotor.

A brake pad and rotor combo no matter how big or small can only apply so much pressure before locking up wheels. I have no problem locking up my brakes on RA1's and they are far stickier than summer performance tires. Tires are going to be a better upgrade if you want to stop faster as the tires will do a better job of griping the pavement instead of sliding.

The only reason to upgrade to larger brakes would be for aesthetics if the cars isnt going to be used for track duty. If the desire is to look cool then get the drilled or slotted rotors and paint the calipers. I have even seen Porsche logos to go on the calipers for the extra cool

Top this off with some good pads, fresh brake fluid and I am sure you will be pleased.

Icey1174 · 06-02-2007, 06:59 AM

+1 Dave...

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

All,

Thank you all for responding. After reading all of the posts, the theme is the same, stay with the original system. I ordered pads, a retaining kit and rotors. Should get them some time this week I wanted to roll my car out of the garage just to look at it in the daylight, take some pics, sit back, have a beer and admire it. The moment will need to wait - I was bummed but got over it.

Although I have never met any of you, I appreciate and respect your knowledge and experience. It has been along time since I worked on a car (I owned a 71 Chevelle, sorry I sold it ) but rebuilding my 944 resurrected something lost in me. This has been fun, a test of patience, a learning experience, rekindled my passion for cars. All of you helped. I couldn't have done it without you.

hpaulb · 06-04-2007, 08:29 AM

I found that the local car parts guys here have Porsche pads. Probably because there the same as a number of other cars. Cheap to. I think they were $34/set can. But I get hole sale.