Wilwood big brakes, 914-4 brakes Options

[Freezin 914]

I figure some here will have more info on this, but Wilwood is advertising it has a big brake available for 914-4s. Just in case anyone would be interested. I haven’t even looked it up yet, but seen the ad in Excellence.

[technicalninja]

Most Wilwood "kits" include the cheaper "non-booted" Wilwood calipers.
These don't have the rubber boots that protect the pistons and the caliper bodies because when used in competition the boots tend to melt.
You are EXPECTED to reseal the calipers once a year at a minimum. These are extremely suspect of electrolytic corrosion. The steel to aluminum transition is not protected at all and brake fluid is highly hygroscopic. End result is a corroded-up caliper by the second year unless you NEVER get it wet...

Wilwood has booted versions of all of their calipers for street/off road applications, but they are commonly $100 more expensive per caliper and the "boots" are not as secure as a stock ATE caliper.

For a street-based car, the big brake kits require far more maintenance that stock stuff.

What I'm after with a BBK on a streetcar is a reduction of un-sprung weight and the "look".

My BBK plans include stock Boxster calipers which are both light weight and have very nice secure boots on all of the pistons.

Bigger contact patch (tires) and appropriate pads for the intended use are the critical things here. Stock stuff should work FINE with upgraded pads.

I chose Porterfield RS-4 because of everyone's recommendations for street use.

My 75 narrow body is using the BMW 320I front calipers, stock rear calipers, 19mm master, stock pressure regulator, and RS-4s all the way round.

My 76 916 clone will be using Boxster calipers and this set up for the pressure side of things. With dual masters and a balance bar I will not need a proportioning valve at all, and I can choose masters that will allow me to use ANY calipers I want.


I've been watching for something like this for a year!

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=368858

[Geezer914]

Most Wilwood "kits" include the cheaper "non-booted" Wilwood calipers.
These don't have the rubber boots that protect the pistons and the caliper bodies because when used in competition the boots tend to melt.
You are EXPECTED to reseal the calipers once a year at a minimum. These are extremely suspect of electrolytic corrosion. The steel to aluminum transition is not protected at all and brake fluid is highly hygroscopic. End result is a corroded-up caliper by the second year unless you NEVER get it wet...

Wilwood has booted versions of all of their calipers for street/off road applications, but they are commonly $100 more expensive per caliper and the "boots" are not as secure as a stock ATE caliper.

For a street-based car, the big brake kits require far more maintenance that stock stuff.

What I'm after with a BBK on a streetcar is a reduction of un-sprung weight and the "l

Bigger contact patch (tires) and appropriate pads for the intended use are the critical things here. Stock stuff should work FINE with upgraded pads.

I chose Porterfield RS-4 because of everyone's recommendations for street use.

My 75 narrow body is using the BMW 320I front calipers, stock rear calipers, 19mm master, stock pressure regulator, and RS-4s all the way round.

My 76 916 clone will be using Boxster calipers and this set up for the pressure side of things. With dual masters and a balance bar I will not need a proportioning valve at all, and I can choose masters that will allow me to use ANY calipers I want.


I've been watching for something like this for a year!

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=368858

I had BMW front calipers and the front brakes were doing 90% of the braking. The rear pads were hardly worn while the front pads were shot. I switched back to stock front calipers with Porterfield R4-S pads and pad wear is even all around. Greg Amy uses BMW calipers up front, but installed a brake proportion valve with heavy bias towards the rear for even braking.