996.1 C2 brake upgrade options

[tob_today]

I'm considering doing a bunch of upgrades to my 3.4 C2 which include significantly upgrading the power via Hartech 3.7. As engine would be removed, I want to tackle some other jobs, including upgrade the brakes, lines, etc. I'm working on costs so I can prioritise.

It has 18" Carrera 5 spoke BBS wheels as per photo with 11mm spacers front, 7mm spacers rear.

I've searched on here and other forums but doesn't seem to be standard go-to big brake set-up. I see DesignTek have below options:

https://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod...-Rear--Porsche-Brake-Disc-Size--355x28_2_2_2/

https://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod...--Front--Porsche-Brake-Disc-Size--355x32_3_2/

Car will be mainly for road use, so no squeaking pads. Occasional track use, so less fade = good.

Any opinions on the DesignTek options? Or other better recommendations?

 

[coullstar]

Girodisc which is slightly bigger but weigh a lot less and use existing calipers with spacers.

Also this kit that again uses existing callipers.
He was on here for a while and did do a kit including discs as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-986-997-987-Front-Big-Brake-Adapter-Kit-350mm/383868764801

 

[adamw]

I'm considering doing a bunch of upgrades to my 3.4 C2 which include significantly upgrading the power via Hartech 3.7. As engine would be removed, I want to tackle some other jobs, including upgrade the brakes, lines, etc. I'm working on costs so I can prioritise.

It has 18" Carrera 5 spoke BBS wheels as per photo with 11mm spacers front, 7mm spacers rear.

I've searched on here and other forums but doesn't seem to be standard go-to big brake set-up. I see DesignTek have below options:

https://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod...-Rear--Porsche-Brake-Disc-Size--355x28_2_2_2/

https://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod...--Front--Porsche-Brake-Disc-Size--355x32_3_2/

Car will be mainly for road use, so no squeaking pads. Occasional track use, so less fade = good.

👌🏻Any opinions on the DesignTek options? Or other better recommendations?

Wow, 3.7 rebuild
Do you mind me asking, is it needed (?) or a choice (but expensive) upgrade for more power/performance and reliability?
Epic either way :thumb:

 

[tob_today]

Girodisc which is slightly bigger but weigh a lot less and use existing calipers with spacers.

Also this kit that again uses existing callipers.
He was on here for a while and did do a kit including discs as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-986-997-987-Front-Big-Brake-Adapter-Kit-350mm/383868764801

Thanks for the tips Graeme. Options to add to my list.

Wow, 3.7 rebuild
Do you mind me asking, is it needed (?) or a choice (but expensive) upgrade for more power/performance and reliability?
Epic either way :thumb:

Good question Adam. My 996 is my project car, and ultimate upgrade is 3.7 rebuild for reliability, power, performance and efficiency. Major investment and I wouldn't expect any returns. So not decided. It's done 100k and most likely will happily do another 30-50k given the history, but you never know, and in many ways best to get it done earlier in my ownership rather than later so I get full benefit (and before something breaks which just adds to cost and hassle).

First I want to get idea of all other potential project costs, as several are good to do same time as engine is out. I know this will quickly get up to serious money, and more than I bought the car for., which is also ok for me. That's the fun of projects - they are a journey of discovery to be enjoyed as they evolve

I'm fairly clear on most things on my potential project list - but brakes are a question mark.

 

[Hatchetf15]

tob_today - My experience has been the brakes are really, really good as-is. Fresh high temp fluid, fresh brake lines and aggressive pads for any track work should do you right for even the 3.7. If you put some slotted rotors on and run them bedded with PFC08s, as an example for track duty, you'll need to be pretty quick to need more than that for braking needs.

Give the stock brakes a go for an evaluation. Improve cooling air with better ducting. GT3 ducts on front and 997 Turbo ducts on rear. Mod the front wheel liners if you're really into Dremel work. Put some new brake lines in. Run 600 fluid. You'll save coin, near term, until you explore the limits of the new modifications/upgrades.

 

[giraffeinbath]

Also this kit that again uses existing callipers.
He was on here for a while and did do a kit including discs as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-986-997-987-Front-Big-Brake-Adapter-Kit-350mm/383868764801

Have you seen that kit, do you know what it comprises of? I did a quick search to see if I could find a thread somewhere but nothing popped up.

I'm guessing something would need to be done at the back as well to maintain brake balance...?

 

[coullstar]

Also this kit that again uses existing callipers.
He was on here for a while and did do a kit including discs as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-986-997-987-Front-Big-Brake-Adapter-Kit-350mm/383868764801

Have you seen that kit, do you know what it comprises of? I did a quick search to see if I could find a thread somewhere but nothing popped up.

I'm guessing something would need to be done at the back as well to maintain brake balance...?

See this thread - http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=138963&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

 

[tob_today]

tob_today - My experience has been the brakes are really, really good as-is. Fresh high temp fluid, fresh brake lines and aggressive pads for any track work should do you right for even the 3.7. If you put some slotted rotors on and run them bedded with PFC08s, as an example for track duty, you'll need to be pretty quick to need more than that for braking needs.

Give the stock brakes a go for an evaluation. Improve cooling air with better ducting. GT3 ducts on front and 997 Turbo ducts on rear. Mod the front wheel liners if you're really into Dremel work. Put some new brake lines in. Run 600 fluid. You'll save coin, near term, until you explore the limits of the new modifications/upgrades.

Great - thanks for sharing Hatchetf15. More ideas for my list :thumb:

 

[sp1ke]

I briefly mulled over an upgrade, & this came up in conversation during my visit to Centre Gravity last year. Pete advised the stock brakes were more than up to the job, & recommended the Design 911 Brembo disc & pad package as being a great option. The Brembo items also have a nice grey painted finish to the hub unlike the stock ones.

The chaps at Precision recently fitted the Brembo's along with a caliper refurb, braided lines, replaced most of the brake lines, bar the one that needs an engine drop & fresh fluid. The end result is the brakes feel significantly more reassuring than the old stock discs, pads & 2 year old fluid.

This might not be what you wanted to hear, but unless it's going to be a track weapon, I'd suggest sticking with the stock items or something like the Brembo kit from D911, & save your budget for other mods.

https://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod...s-and-Brake-Disc-Package-Porsche-996-1997-04/

https://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod...and-Brake-Disc-Package-Porsche-996-1997-04_2/

If you're aiming for a money no object track car, or have some specific goals around weight & unsprung mass, then the Girodiscs look like a great choice to me, but I've no experience of using them.

 

[tob_today]

Thanks sp1ke for sharing additional interesting options - my 996 is looked after by Precision so will definitely run this past them too :thumb:

 

[Dammit]

PM me your email address and I can fire over the quote I got from BG Motorsport for larger floating rotors front and rear, plus AP callipers, all adapters and so on.

 

[tob_today]

PM me your email address and I can fire over the quote I got from BG Motorsport for larger floating rotors front and rear, plus AP callipers, all adapters and so on.

Thanks for the info Neil. Another set of options. I also talked to Precision yesterday and they also had some idead depending what I want to do & spend. Sometimes it's easier to have less options!

 

[Dammit]

I'll respond to your email properly when I'm back at a laptop, in terms of what I'd do as the sensible option? Either the Giro discs or the BG version of that, absolutely the most straightforward and likely cheapest thing to do.

But if you want something a bit different I think black 6 pot AP Racing callipers with the yellow script would look great (with the 4 pots at the back).

I got a bit lost in getting wheels and brakes to match- then BBS Japan sent me four rear wheels after a years wait. So I parked it, as it were.

 

[tob_today]

Ah yes I recall your BBS wheel saga! Not surprised brakes took a back burner.