Bryan

Imagine my surprise.

By way of some background, I bought a "time capsule" '85 Euro a couple years ago - summer of 2000. It had low 30K mileage, but was one of those cars that got the 30K between '86 and '89, and sat in a garage since. The last service on the thing was in like 1990. I got to change the original fuel filter, original air filter, original timing belt, dry-rotted tires, etc. And the car had its original brakes too - the original pads and discs. Which were about half worn.

And the brakes sucked. Even at low speeds, I almost ended up out in the middle of an intersection a couple times because the brakes just did not want to stop the car. I drove it like this for a while, during which time I took care of the more pressing issues - t-belt, new wheels and tires, stuff like that.

I was toying with the idea of S4 brakes but due to the expense of the brakes plus the suspension parts, I decided to just put new pads and discs on the stock brakes and live with it until the car is squared away enough to think about an S4 brake upgrade. So I ordered up stock discs and Pagid pads from 928 International, put them on, and bled the brake system real good.

Now that they're bedded in, I can't believe how great the stock brakes on this car are! It still has the original calipers and original rubber brake lines and stuff, but it has a very firm pedal and just massive, easily controllable stopping power. The car has some of the best brakes I've ever experienced and this is the old single piston setup that isn't supposed to be that great. The S4 upgrade is off my list - I think the '85 single piston system is terrific.

Bryan

GlenL

Can't agree more. The "S" brakes are certainly up to the task. Add in some better brake pads and the stopping is really impressive. I believe the word on the earlier brakes is that the fronts are too small. The back brakes are the same 'till 86.5. (Or S4?)

I run the Hawk HP+ pads at the track and in the city. Maybe a bit dusty for some folks, but there are other choices. Some wheel spray and the hose every couple of weeks and it's not a problem. I've never felt that I lacked braking power. Never ran up on a "light" 911. (Well, except for when the leading driver slows unexpectedly.) There's been fade only once and that was when the pads were down to the last 2mm.

Red UFO

Thats what I told my boss a Porsche skeptic. I said "These are Porsche brakes and pads. That means they are better then anyother car on the road. ***Taps brakes, bosses soda flies on his shirt.

See if I tap the gas or brakes it will mess up your drink. You can't do that in a Jetta!.

Then I point out the AC. That's Porsche air that means it better air then anyother car on the road. Its colder and more expensive than a Jettas AC. It's leather flavored to boot or plastic tasting air in regular cars. The air is so pure its what saved Apollo 13 and this system is used in the shuttle.

Then I point out the computer warning system. That's Porsche computer system back in 1983 before Bill Gates was stealing Dos. That means it better computer then MS Windows and it never crashes and has superior prorgramming CMOS from 20 years ago. You don't get that in a Jetta.

Then I point out engine. That's a Porsche V-8 230 hp. The most powerful engine in the world at the time. Get can a 1/2 million miles or a trip to the moon. You can't get that on a Jetta.

Then I point out the paint. That's Porsche paint, Guards Red, it's better paint then on any other car. Its so red it literally blow womens clothes right off when I hit the gas. The paint job alone cost more than your Jetta and is worth its weight in Gold. The paint alone is considered a precious metal on Nasdac.

Gregg K

Hey, I just found the pads I ordered from 928int'l, sitting on my workbench. All this time I've been wondering why my brakes are so poor. I never put the new pads in! I'll post back here when I put them on, and I'll bet it's the same story as the one you just related. As it stands, I have to use all of my force to stop this beast.

Red UFO

Gregg K.

I had the same problem put pads on the front because they were about gone. Bleed the front. It stops on a dime. My only problem was a vacuum leak by the brake booster otherwise these brakes are so good it can toss the passenger out the front window if not wearing a seat belt.

I have a problem with hitting the brakes to much. Or slamming on them since I have vacuum problems. My friends say "Whats wrong?'

I say 'Nothing, the brakes are just so damn good I like to enjoy the stopping power and getting my moneys worth".

hacker-pschorr

I upgraded my 81 to the brakes from an 84. The difference was night and day. My brakes used to fade away after 2 laps at Road America. My first run with the upgrade I ran 6 laps with no issues. It was only touring but I was going into turn 5 at 120+ a few laps.

John..

Totally agree, my car needed bigger binders, but the 4 piston conversion wasn't worth the arm and leg people wanted for it. I went with a set from a 1985 model and spent a total of $400.00 on the conversion. Best money I have spent (value) on the car.

The S4 and S brakes are not all that much different, just the 4 piston calipers. The big improvement from the early brakes to S is the mass of the rotor, a full .5" thicker and larger vents than early brakes.

I still look out for a set of S4 brakes, but I don't think it is worth the money over what I already have. The only next logical step would be to go with the Big Reds

John Krawczyk

I have upgraded 'S' front brakes on my '79 and while they are great (new too as i did an entire pad, rotor and bleed last october) , i have to admit, i would still like to get more stopping power.

Bryan

Oddly, I did a similar thing to a 944 recently - new pads (MetalMasters), new discs, and complete bleed. I also rebuilt all 4 calipers and was careful to orient the pistons correctly - rotate them 20 degrees from perpendicular to the directon the disc travels or some such thing. I did this on all 4 wheels, and the results are so-so. The car stops fine, but the pedal isn't all that firm and the brakes don't feel as good. I dunno why the 928 came out so great and the 944 is so mediocre. The braking systems are very similar.

Bryan

GlenL

John, You don't say what pads you have, maybe try some more aggresive pads. A lot easier than a caliper upgrade!

Bryan, Run them for a while and then bleed again. Hopefully there are bubbles that will migrate to the bleeders.

Paul D

I also agree that the single piston 'S' brakes are good. I was practicing threshold braking at a Watkins Glen DE this week and they felt very good. I've got gas slotted rotors and metal master pads and managed to eat up about 1/2 the front brake pad over 2 days. Even though I like the 'S' brakes I can see an 'S4 brake upgrade in my future for the track.

John Krawczyk

Glen,

I'm using plain vanilla Mintex street pads.

More than you know brother...

I would have find original '79-81 spindles since mine were upgraded for the 's' brake install.

Aint that a kick in the head.

mark kibort

I raced with S brakes for years. no problems . Only issue , they went through pads faster than my now, S4 brakes. most competitive BMWs have run these same style brakes in all sorts of pro racing. most do upgrade for a little better performance. for street and DE, its plenty. Pagid oranges!@

MK

Jack '84 928s

One day i decided to drive my porsche after driving my truck for about a month or so, and i forgot how good the brakes are on it. Well someone pulled out in front of me and I got on the brakes hard and almost hit my head in or above the steerign wheel lol.

Joe Ricard

Never really overly impressed with stock 78 brakes. Got a great deal on a whole "S" set up. WOW! what a difference. Strickly street driven with the Kumo ecsta tires I have all stopping power I need. If I had stickier tires I could maybe use more brakes. The way it is now I can out stop nearly anything on the road.

I find myself looking in the rear view mirror to make sure the knuckle head behind me is paying attention.

78 5 speed "S" brakes with Hawk street pads.