MAGK944

I want to upgrade the brakes on my 86 (early offset) na to turbo brakes.

Without changing the offset:

1. Is my only choice the 86 turbo brakes?

2. If I use the 86 turbo brakes do I have to change the hubs & spindles?

3. Do the rears simply bolt straight up?

4. Would I need the 86 turbo brake hardpipes at the rear?

TIA, Mike

944CS

1.No but it is the best value

2. You'll have to change the Hub, the spindle you can modify but since you are running your speedo off the trans then just go with Turbo spindles as well

3. Yes but the rotors are different

4. No

MAGK944

Thanks,

So the spindles & hubs are different in what way?

marky522

The hub has the different mounting points for the trubo calipers. I am in the process of doing exactly the same thing, i believe i found that the calipers for a turbo and 968 were the same as long as it was base turbo/968, but someone will correct me if im wrong. I am taking the opportunity to also add the adjustable ride height kit...

Mark

Legoland951

1. Brake calipers for all year turbos are the same other than the 951S (88 951S or all 89 turbo) fronts.

2. Yes hub, spindle, and rotor will be needed.

3. The rear will bolt up but turbo has 2 small washers about 3 mm thickness and rotors are bigger.

4. The n/a hard lines can be bent slightly to fit with no problems.

Yes I have done it.

SamGrant951

From what I have read/understand they are physically the same size but a difference lies in the piston sizes from the 86 to the 87/88.

944CS

sam is correct, '86 had piston diameters of 36 and 38mm, starting with early '87 model year cars they switched to 36/40mm

SamGrant951

If anyone is interested Ill have a pair of 86 turbo hubs/spindles/calipers available in the next few weeks. (Rotors/pads as well if you really wanted them but they are prob done for)

Legoland951

In response to his question, is the 86 calipers his only option. It does not matter what year and any year will work for his application regardless of piston size.

Josh B

You need to pick up a set of turbo front struts as well unless you want to do some fab work as the holes will not line up and the spindle ears are different thicknesses. I'll have a complete setup in a couple weeks too for sale. Probably will be asking $650 for the front and rear calipers and rotors, front hubs/spindles/struts and brake pads. I don't know yet how much life will still be on the rotors and pads.

MAGK944

Just clarifying, so the 86 struts from an na will not fit the mounting holes in an 86 turbo spindle, correct? I always thought that the holes were only made different on the later offset (87-).

If that is the case, does anyone have an accurate write-up on what mods need to be done to the spindle (hole dimensions/spacing, etc)

Legoland951

Its not just the hole spacing that is different. The thickness of the steel part of the spindle going into the strut is thinner on the late spindle and you will need to add spacers. Its simpler to replace the struts also.

Josh B

Not worth the trouble to do the fab work when used struts are so cheap - a lot of the guys parting the turbo cars can't even find buyers for them and pitch them. Of course half of them have 120k on them too and are shot. Good candidate for the insert mod Might as well do that while you are in there before the alignment....

Wormhole

If your interested I have 86 turbo hubs(with fairly new bearings)/spindles, rotors and brakes. Not sure about the whole strut thing, but you can give it a shot before you buy new ones.

birdallen

Painfully, I can confirm the '86 NA strut issue when upgrading to the turbo brakes. Yesterday, had everything set to mount the the turbo brakes. However, the turbo spindle would not align with the '86 NA strut mounting holes. They are about a 1/4" off. Anyone know the part number for the '86 Turbo strut?