How are the stock brakes on a 1985-1 944?

bjmiz · 12-09-2008, 01:18 PM

Hi, my father recently got an early 1985 944. He plans on restoring the car and taking it to PCA track days, with me (I drive a 1984 911.) Before I did my first track event I had heard that the stock brakes on my car would be inadequate, and that I should upgrade to the 930 rotors and calipers. I found that to be incorrect, as my stock brakes worked great with just good fluid, and a nice set of pads. Will this also ring true with his 944? Or is the 944 stock setup not gonna cut it for the track? The 944 calipers definitely don't look as heavy duty as the 911's, and I surmise my car is lighter. Thanks

Schumi · 12-09-2008, 01:29 PM

930 brakes? On the contrary, 951 brakes are usually the upgrade. Even some 911's use 951 brakes as a upgrade.

bjmiz · 12-09-2008, 01:36 PM

Sorry-i worded that a little wierd. My question was are the stock 1985-1 944 calipers/rotors suitable for DE with good pads,? or should he upgrade them. His 944 is stock and has no other performance mods.

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

The stock brakes are pretty good as the 944 is a fairly light car. I personally think anyone who tells you they are not enough will be in the following categories..

a) Same original 20 year old calipers that came with the car are seized and not sliding correctly
b) Old brake fluid
c) Incorrect brake pad choice for application
d) Using old rotors that have been milled down below spec
e) Is a very good driver in one of the upper run groups using slicks
f) Is running a alot more power than a stock 944, be it a supercharger or swapped a 16v engine in

I highly recommend rebuilding or replacing the calipers with rebuilt units. The caliper frames seize sometimes from lack of lubrication and cause uneven pad wear and contribute to really poor braking performance.

Basically flush the entire brake system with good brake fluid, get a good brake pad that is meant for track duty and make sure the calipers are working correctly and i think you will be fine. Especially if your father is relatively new to DE.

bjmiz · 12-09-2008, 02:00 PM

OK-thats what I was thinking too. Thanks for all the help.

zedsn · 12-09-2008, 05:33 PM

Hi, I put my 83 944 through the paces with the general run through the mill brake pads and car handled quite well indeed with no fade.

jpk · 12-09-2008, 05:37 PM

I ran many a DE in my '84 without a bit of brake drama. Make sure everything is in good working order, and you'll be good to go.
It would be a good idea to replace any of the rubber hoses in the brake system if they're original.

Dantilla · 12-09-2008, 07:07 PM

I race an early '85 with stock brakes. Motul fluid, Porterfield pads, fog lights removed to make room for cooling ducts.

The 944 with stock brakes is capable of out-braking most other cars on the track under race conditions.

HondaDustR · 12-09-2008, 07:44 PM

Well, it took me about 10-12 times braking as hard as I dared from 70-20 mph, and repeating as fast as I could speed back up to start noticing any signs of overheating induced dropoff, and that was with the cheapo Mintex pads, stock rotors/calipers, ATE super blue fluid, and steel braided lines. Even then, it could have probably done it another 5 times. They didn't start feeling really good until about the 5th time, and held very linearly until the last 2 times and got a tad soft (and I started smelling somethig weird..cooking brake pads!).
I was just testing just how much they could take, since normal street driving never heats them up much, and was running sort of a second stage break-in for some new rear pads/rotors.

924RACR · 12-10-2008, 06:21 AM

Yeah, echo the above (my 924's have the same brakes) - stainless braided hoses, ATE fluid, and personally I recommend the KFP pads. The cooling ducts are a good idea too (don't need 'em in my racecar, doesn't have the power a 944 does), and then you've got all you'll need.