Brakes, Stopping with M, A, or S Options

[johnmhudson111]

Coupe of questions about brakes. First of all what is the difference between "M", "A", and "S" capliers? Is it the mounting bolt distance? Early vs.Late? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)

Did the 914/6 come with "M" capliers? If not what did they come with? Can these brakes be upgraded to something like the "big reds?

[Eric_Shea]

Joe,

That's a "HUGE" brake line. Do you use the Mercedes (truck) 72mm Master Cylinder? You know, the Cap'n doesn't recommend braided lines. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

OK, enough "Gaiety" on to the questions:

John - Your control arms are done. I cleaned out the shop today and found a set of bushings that were slated for another job that got shelved. They should ship tomorrow.

QUOTE

Is is best to use a matching SC/Carrera rears for best balance? Not to mention ventilation?

Sure. You'll need a spacer to either fit under your rotor -or- if there's enough room between your caliper and control arm (on 914 calipers there isn't) you could put the spacers in between the mounting ears and the caliper. If it's a 24mm Carrera rotor "I Believe" you'll need a 9mm spacer. If it's a standard 20mm vented (SC) rotor then it will be a 5mm spacer. You'll also need to figure out what to do about your hand brake.

I always think it's best to stick with what the Porsche engineers felt best in a "system".

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Eric, Can you adapt your 5 bolt rear setups for a later style caliper and offset?  Ears welded for 3.5 mounting spacing?  Is it preferred to just use the 914 rears or put the fronts on the rear?

We can do it all... it just takes money (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Seriously, weigh what it would cost for an additional ear and the welding and then look at Rich's mounts. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)

I like to use 914 rears up to a point:

1. Stock 914 Rears with 911 M-Calipers up front and a T-Fitting.
2. Modified 914 Rears (Our V-Caliper) for a vented rotor with 911 S or A-Calipers up front.
3. Beyond (or even with) an 911 S or A-Caliper, I would consider using a different rear brake. A 914 -6 brake is a good choice but very hard to find. You're still limited to a 38mm piston. It seems to be working for Oled but I tend to doubt those rears are even contributing, but hey... with those fronts, who needs rears? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) Porsche only used the 38mm rear up to 1984. Then they went to 42mm. (then they had to use a pressure regulator). I'm not sure of the "Boxster" system. I would think it would be great for a mid-engine 914 with a 3.2 or 3.6. The teener is obviously much lighter and should benefit tremendously from that system.

If you subscribe to the "Bigger-is-Better" school, I imagine you can bolt damn near anything you want on a 914. They'll grab those big rotors and stop them quick. If you've got enough meat under your car this may make sense. If not, you won't be able to outbrake anyone anyway... your tire will break the contact patch, your wheel will lock up and while they're stopping, you and your big-ole brakes will be sliding right on by.

I like "systems". I like "systems" put together by Porsche engineers. Again, mine's fairly vintage (cause I wanted it that way) and it approximates the "system" used on a 76 930 with roughly the same horsepower (on a heavier car) as I'll be using. The only problem with "systems" and 914's is the Handbrake.

My $0.02 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)