The Official 944 Turbo Brake Upgrade Thread
#1
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The Official 944 Turbo Brake Upgrade Thread
Ok first of all I'd like to say, those of you who have done this brake conversion to an 8 valve or 16 valve naturally aspirated 944, speak up....right now. It's time to share your experiences.
I have succeeded in the installation of the front brakes and elongating the holes on the 944 struts. There has been a lot of speculation that the removal of a little less than 5mm would compromise the strength of the suspension; to be honest, I don't know this for sure quite yet until this car hits the track. In reality, the amount of grinding needed to fit the 944 Turbo ( 951 ) spindle on an NA to upgrade the brakes is not that much.
The difference between the length of NA spindles and 951 spindles is 5mm, from one mounting hole to the other, (NA being 70mm, the 951 being 75mm). Truth is you do not need to elongate exactly up to 75mm. The eccentric bolt that adjusts the camber is flat on one side, with no threads. Think of it like cutting a coke can in half lengthwise. You will not need to round the hole on top, but square it much like the factory did originally with the camber adjustment hole.
Below are pictures; I am open to any questions people will have. As far as tests for strength: I will autocross this car when the motor is in it and running; if the strength is compromised, I WILL report it immediately on here and recommend 86 951 struts or 87+ newer struts.
enjoy and I will be writing the DIY up soon when I finish my engine swap.
I have succeeded in the installation of the front brakes and elongating the holes on the 944 struts. There has been a lot of speculation that the removal of a little less than 5mm would compromise the strength of the suspension; to be honest, I don't know this for sure quite yet until this car hits the track. In reality, the amount of grinding needed to fit the 944 Turbo ( 951 ) spindle on an NA to upgrade the brakes is not that much.
The difference between the length of NA spindles and 951 spindles is 5mm, from one mounting hole to the other, (NA being 70mm, the 951 being 75mm). Truth is you do not need to elongate exactly up to 75mm. The eccentric bolt that adjusts the camber is flat on one side, with no threads. Think of it like cutting a coke can in half lengthwise. You will not need to round the hole on top, but square it much like the factory did originally with the camber adjustment hole.
Below are pictures; I am open to any questions people will have. As far as tests for strength: I will autocross this car when the motor is in it and running; if the strength is compromised, I WILL report it immediately on here and recommend 86 951 struts or 87+ newer struts.
enjoy and I will be writing the DIY up soon when I finish my engine swap.
#4
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by 951Obsession
there's a huge article about this in an old issue of excellence i have lying around. if you guys want, i can scan it a little later during the week.
#5
Nordschleife Master
I am doing this upgrade sometime within the next few weeks. Have the calipers, spindles, hubs and a set of used rotors going in the mail today. Going to order everything else i need within the next week or so.
I have a few questions actually...
1. Do you need to change the bias valve? Ive read conflicting things that say its not neccesary (but a nice thing to get) and that its needed.
2. Regarding the rear caliper spacer washers, they are something like $6.50 each. Ive read that regular machine washers can be used as an alternative...any idea of the sizes needed?
3. I am not sure if the calipers i am getting (they came off a 968 ifthat matters) have the hardline that connects to the caliper and on the other end the brake line. Can that hardline be removed so i can just use the brake lines which screw into the caliper?
Dont mean to steal your thread Andy, but i figure this is the 'official' thread. I will be doing a How-to kinda article also when i get around to it.
I have a few questions actually...
1. Do you need to change the bias valve? Ive read conflicting things that say its not neccesary (but a nice thing to get) and that its needed.
2. Regarding the rear caliper spacer washers, they are something like $6.50 each. Ive read that regular machine washers can be used as an alternative...any idea of the sizes needed?
3. I am not sure if the calipers i am getting (they came off a 968 ifthat matters) have the hardline that connects to the caliper and on the other end the brake line. Can that hardline be removed so i can just use the brake lines which screw into the caliper?
Dont mean to steal your thread Andy, but i figure this is the 'official' thread. I will be doing a How-to kinda article also when i get around to it.
#6
Have succeeded in the installation of the front brakes and elongating the holes on the 944 struts.
I did that to, have been driving and autocrossing for over a year.
No problems so far.
Went whit the S4 calipers by the way.
I did that to, have been driving and autocrossing for over a year.
No problems so far.
Went whit the S4 calipers by the way.
#7
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Originally Posted by Techno Duck
1. Do you need to change the bias valve? Ive read conflicting things that say its not neccesary (but a nice thing to get) and that its needed.
2. Regarding the rear caliper spacer washers, they are something like $6.50 each. Ive read that regular machine washers can be used as an alternative...any idea of the sizes needed?
3. I am not sure if the calipers i am getting (they came off a 968 ifthat matters) have the hardline that connects to the caliper and on the other end the brake line. Can that hardline be removed so i can just use the brake lines which screw into the caliper?
2. Regarding the rear caliper spacer washers, they are something like $6.50 each. Ive read that regular machine washers can be used as an alternative...any idea of the sizes needed?
3. I am not sure if the calipers i am getting (they came off a 968 ifthat matters) have the hardline that connects to the caliper and on the other end the brake line. Can that hardline be removed so i can just use the brake lines which screw into the caliper?
2. I got my rear caliper spacers from Porsche. They appear to be a 2-3mm thick washer with a 12mm diameter hole to allow the M12 x 1.5 bolt to thread into the brake caliper to mount it. I would recommend factory hardware since I don't know of other alternatives that are the proper grade, unless you buy it from a hardware store that specifically has an automotive grade bolt.
3. The 968 calipers are similar to the 944 Turbo, and 928 S4. There is a hard line that screws into the back of the caliper. These hard lines are re-used from your NA braking system. You do not need to replace those. However, you will have to use 944 Turbo front brake lines for a 951 upgrade in the front, S2 lines, or etc. for whatever model brakes you intend to run. I have heard that you can even bolt up 993 brakes to the 951 hub and 944 NA rear arms, but the rears will need a caliper adapter.
On a side note, I spoke with someone recently in POC who had recommended going to 'Boxster Blacks.' Haven't heard too much of that one yet...
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#8
Instructor
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Andy:
What PCA-SDR class will you be running in with the added "5-points" brakes upgrade: GP?
Welcome!
(Better get some really sticky tires ;-) You should have talked to Dente before the expense and time put into your brakes. Ya see, you don't need brakes in a 944. That middle pedal is nothing more than a foot-rest at A-X's! )
See you Saturday?
"Dan'o"
PCA-SDR CDI
What PCA-SDR class will you be running in with the added "5-points" brakes upgrade: GP?
Welcome!
(Better get some really sticky tires ;-) You should have talked to Dente before the expense and time put into your brakes. Ya see, you don't need brakes in a 944. That middle pedal is nothing more than a foot-rest at A-X's! )
See you Saturday?
"Dan'o"
PCA-SDR CDI
#9
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huh? 5 points? Thought it was 3???
I'll probably pay visit Saturday, but the 944 still has the motor out of it and I need to install it first thing Saturday morning.
I'll probably pay visit Saturday, but the 944 still has the motor out of it and I need to install it first thing Saturday morning.
Last edited by TheStig; 02-15-2006 at 02:20 PM.
#14
Nordschleife Master
Sorry to threadjack, but only slightly OT. I have a set of Turbo spindles and hubs. Will trade for some 400# springs or open to offers. I love my 15 inch Fuchs too much to convert.
#15
Nordschleife Master