S4 Front Calipers on my 81 OB

[MPDano]

Hi all,

I thought I would start a new thread on this. I just got some S4 Front Calipers. I do want to verify this with you guys if you can. The part numbers are 20.4564.00 on one half and 20.4565.00 on the other half of the Calipers.

I will be doing the adapters and 993 Rotors, since I don't have an S4 to grab parts from.

I'm debating Powdercoat or one of those Caliper Pint Kits from Duplicolor. Candy Apple Blue Powdercoating on both Calipers were quoted at $120.

These things are huge compared to my stock OB front Calipers.

Here are some pics. What do you guys think?

[MPDano]

**Crickets Chirping**

[tedward515]

When I rebuilt the stock calipers on my 81 us, I used high temp paint and its been holding up very well for about a year now.

[MPDano]

Ok, today is the day to take them apart. OMG! Are these bolts welded on? I was able to loosen the huge allen bolts (4). I am having problems with the 4mm bolts that holds a metal plate on the inside area of the caliper. I tried PB Blaster, torch and even went and bought the 4mm hex head to socket wrench. It aint budging. Any ideas?

[MPDano]

Ok, now i read somewhere that it is highly recommended to "NOT" split the halves. WTF, this throws Powdercoating out the door. I think I will just use some paint remover and remove the paint and do the Duplicolor Caliper Paint Kit in Blue. Cheaper too at $20. Probably will need two boxes.

[MPDano]

As you can see from the pics of when i first got the calipers, they look like crap. After some research, I found out a lot of people were putting clear over the calipers to get them to gloss up. The stock calipers are Black Anodized from Brembo, so I just used some Aircraft Paint Remover and they are cleaning up nicely.

Made a decision to use the G2 Caliper Paint Kit to color the calipers Blue. Speed Bleeders in their future too.

[autoconnoisseur]

Where did you buy the adapters to be able to make them fit onto the hub? Or will they just pop right on?

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by autoconnoisseur

Where did you buy the adapters to be able to make them fit onto the hub? Or will they just pop right on?

I didn't buy the adapters yet. They got them at 928 intl.

[928s]

Well my calipers used to look like that, just add paint!

[MPDano]

Wow, nice! Is the top one, the rears? They're huge!

BTW, did you also use the G2 Paint?

[928s]

Yes they are huge, yes I did use G2 paint but only as the etch primer. The calipers were totally stripped but stripped chemically and not sand blasted like I just saw a set. They were ruined by the blasting so don't do it that way. Use the G2 as your etch and base coat. Then you need to use the Glasurit with the high temp hardener just on the top coat. I have had great success this way.



The G2 BTW is no where near the correct color, also depending on how fussy you are make a jig to hold them during painting, this will make your life easier, trust me. Limit the hardener as that is what yellows to a minimum and have them in the hot sun or oven, that is another area the jig is handy.



I showed the larger caliper for purposes of demonstration of the color match, the fact you can get it spot on. The calipers are for 394 mm discs and are 6 piston. Even the rear calipers are bigger than the biggest brakes that came on a 928 at 350 mm.

[MPDano]

Ok guys, I need your opinion on this. I removed all the grime and clear that was over the stock Black Anodize. I ended up using the G2 Paint and feel it came out sub-standard in my opinion. The cheap brush included left lots of brush marks. I shoulda used a thinner bristle painting brush, but oh well. Temp environment was optimal too.

Anyways, my question for you all:

Would you install as-is or would you re-strip and re-paint?

Here are some pics:













This is the first coat and instructions did say these bubbles will occur

[MPDano]

This is the finished product after 2 days drying time. I also sanded the words Porsche down, and if I decide to keep as-is, I will put a high temp clear over the letters and stripe.

[tedward515]

Of course its whatever floats your boat but I think I would strip and repaint. Although the finished product looks pretty good, honestly better than I would have expected for something that was brushed on. In the long run I think it would bother me.
Also if you don't think that you'll be happy the way they are, then now is the time to get right while still off of the car, instead of your car off the road

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by tedward515

Of course its whatever floats your boat but I think I would strip and repaint. Although the finished product looks pretty good, honestly better than I would have expected for something that was brushed on. In the long run I think it would bother me.
Also if you don't think that you'll be happy the way they are, then now is the time to get right while still off of the car, instead of your car off the road

Good points. Also, it will be awhile before I put these Calipers on my car as I am still lacking all the Conversion Pieces. I am still running my Stock Brakes for now. Since I had a lot left over paint, I did the G2 on my Stock Rear Calipers.

[MPDano]

Sheesh, I thought for sure sure I would get more than 1 reply since this morning

[tedward515]

Are you planning on staying with your phone dials? I'm interested because down the road I would like to add the s4 calipers as well. I like the phone dials and from what I gather you need to use a couple mm spacer on the front for them to clear the s4 calipers.

[928s]

Sorry to see Do not pass go do not collect $200. Now I wasn't going to say anything, my mum says if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all, but since you insisted.

Seriously if you would have said you were using the brush, I believe the brush is just for cleaning in the cracks not for painting. I would definitely strip them and put it down to experience.

[Danglerb]

Bleh, doesn't look that bad and it is going UNDER the wheels and will be getting dirty fast. Put them on as is and see how it looks in few hundred miles. Suppose you put in all the strip and painting work and the paint doesn't hold up well? Better to find out without all the work.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by tedward515

Are you planning on staying with your phone dials? I'm interested because down the road I would like to add the s4 calipers as well. I like the phone dials and from what I gather you need to use a couple mm spacer on the front for them to clear the s4 calipers.

Yes, I love my PD's. I also heard the same but I heard it's not all the time. I will for sure post my findings when I get it all mounted.