Master Cylinder 17mm or 19mm Options

[kbrunk1]

OK my MC is leaking at the piston side.
Do most folks go with the $100 19mm MC or pay more for the 17mm one?

I assume you can not get rebuild kits for the 17mm correct?
I kind of like the idea of keeping the 17mm one but am on a tight budget.

Thanks Ken

[shoguneagle]

My thoughts go directly to who made the master cylinders. If made in China, you only seem to get cheapness, not quality and durability. I like OEM brands such as ATE.

Within the above confinements, I think the size depends on your brakes you are running as your preference. Normal 914 brakes I like either the 17mm or 19mm, preferring the 17mm (ran these under normal configuration). When I converted the front brakes to 911 Carrera and normal 914 rear brakes, I used the 19mm. At the time I preferred a strong pedal requiring a strong leg so I was satisfied. These were on a converted Chev V-8 914 and either seemed more than adequate. The most important item relates having your braking system in very good shape.

In building my 914-Sixer (Carrera everything - late model) I opted to use the 23mm which requires a strong leg. It seems to work very well for me at the time being but as I get older I will look at boosting the brakes via hot rod brake technology. Right now it is what I want. I could have used the 19mm which would match better to the early 911 braking system.

Depending on your braking system and its condition, I would use OEM equipment and would be happy with either 17mm or 19mm master cylinders.

Steve