914 brake upgrade options Options

[75porsche914]

Hi, would love some recommendations regarding upgrading my brakes w/o braking the bank so to speak.

I recently upgraded to a 911 master brake pump or is it know as a cylinder and stainless steel brake lines. Changes my brake fluid reservoir to a new OEM Porsche one so the front trunks looks nice and new.

So before I go rebuilding and making my current calipers all nice and shiny, what other options do I have to improve my braking performance?

Can I go 911 brake calipers w/o having to change my whole front suspension to 911 suspension?

I appreciate everyone's advice.

I will post pictures soon, my car has been a two year journey and quite a story to get her where she is today. Many ups and downs, and almost 100% restored, bigger bored 2.0 now 2.4, new interior, paint, konis, springs, stereo, the works... Originally 52,000 now 55,000 mile original car. 75 2.0 now with back dated bumpers and many other items, so I call it Zambezi green , although a 75 was known as Forrest green. Finally proud to drive her around town.

Been a hobby, passion, obsession and many reasons for past arguments regarding my income investments.

Thanks for your recommendations.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[mepstein]

19mm reduces stopping power. It was used with the larger pistons on 911 brake calipers. SS brake lines are also a downgrade compared to dot rubber hoses. All stock oem is your best bet unless you spend big $.

[0396]

19mm reduces stopping power. It was used with the larger pistons on 911 brake calipers. SS brake lines are also a downgrade compared to dot rubber hoses. All stock oem is your best bet unless you spend big $.

If I follow your though process, your 914-6 GT will have 17mm master ?
Bdstone's advice is spot on.

[mepstein]

19mm reduces stopping power. It was used with the larger pistons on 911 brake calipers. SS brake lines are also a downgrade compared to dot rubber hoses. All stock oem is your best bet unless you spend big $.

If I follow your though process, your 914-6 GT will have 17mm master ?
Bdstone's advice is spot on.

No, my gt has brake calipers with larger pistons, just like Porsche did on the real 914-6. I'm not an engineer but I do know fluid pressure will decrease when you increase the mc piston diameter. Try going to a 23mm mc on your otherwise stock setup and tell me what happens. There isn't a big difference going to a 19mm mc but there is some, otherwise the pedal "feel" would stay the same. A 15mm mc would provide even greater pressure to the calipers but at the expense of softer pedal and greater travel. As jake would say- or Eric, it's all in the combo.
I'll stand by my statement that a larger mc is a downgrade.

[race914]

19mm reduces stopping power. It was used with the larger pistons on 911 brake calipers. SS brake lines are also a downgrade compared to dot rubber hoses. All stock oem is your best bet unless you spend big $.

If I follow your though process, your 914-6 GT will have 17mm master ?
Bdstone's advice is spot on.

No, my gt has brake calipers with larger pistons, just like Porsche did on the real 914-6. I'm not an engineer but I do know fluid pressure will decrease when you increase the mc piston diameter. Try going to a 23mm mc on your otherwise stock setup and tell me what happens. There isn't a big difference going to a 19mm mc but there is some, otherwise the pedal "feel" would stay the same. A 15mm mc would provide even greater pressure to the calipers but at the expense of softer pedal and greater travel. As jake would say- or Eric, it's all in the combo.
I'll stand by my statement that a larger mc is a downgrade.

Ok, I just have to ask....

Why would Porsche Engineers specify a down graded, larger 19mm Master Cylinder in the 914-6 build specs?

I'm open to all opinions, I'm just trying to understand the logic that underlies your statement...

[mepstein]

19mm reduces stopping power. It was used with the larger pistons on 911 brake calipers. SS brake lines are also a downgrade compared to dot rubber hoses. All stock oem is your best bet unless you spend big $.

If I follow your though process, your 914-6 GT will have 17mm master ?
Bdstone's advice is spot on.

No, my gt has brake calipers with larger pistons, just like Porsche did on the real 914-6. I'm not an engineer but I do know fluid pressure will decrease when you increase the mc piston diameter. Try going to a 23mm mc on your otherwise stock setup and tell me what happens. There isn't a big difference going to a 19mm mc but there is some, otherwise the pedal "feel" would stay the same. A 15mm mc would provide even greater pressure to the calipers but at the expense of softer pedal and greater travel. As jake would say- or Eric, it's all in the combo.
I'll stand by my statement that a larger mc is a downgrade.

Ok, I just have to ask....

Why would Porsche Engineers specify a down graded, larger 19mm Master Cylinder in the 914-6 build specs?

I'm open to all opinions, I'm just trying to understand the logic that underlies your statement...

Because the 914-6 has larger pistons in the calipers to maintain a similar ratio with the larger mc.

Funny thing is, back when I ran a bike shop, I used to set up the brakes to have a firm feel at the lever because thats what buyers liked for the parking lot test ride. I set my own bikes to have a very soft (some said spongy) feel at the lever but a high mechanical leverage at the rim or disk so it took a light effort to stop. Not only was the effort less, but it was easier to modulate. There is more to braking than just being able to lock the wheels. Modulation is the amount of force you have to work with before the brakes lock up. Maybe not a big deal for straight line stopping on a dry road but throw in slippery conditions and the ability to modulate your brakes more than an on/off switch becomes very important.

...and saving $30 isn't a very good reason to go with a lesser performing part (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)