996 GT3RS PCCB inspection

[phatgixer]

I am in the process of buying an RS and it is fitted with the ceramic brakes. Visually they look fine after a cursory glance. How do I tell if they are in order or if I am about to cop a large bill?

Thanks.

[damianc4s]

Angus, look for initial signs of delamination of the ceramic material




Here's a rather large article on Rennlist:

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums

[Davey S2]

Is this a track replacement for the CSL?

[clubsport]

Angus, if you don't cop the large bill now,,,assume you will after you have done a couple of track days....factor in the £2k you will spend on a brembo/alcon conversion.

Congrats on your purchase, are you taking things easier these days?...I was always under the impression you felt these were slow

[slippydiff]

clubsport said:

Angus,I was always under the impression you felt these were slow

Or put it this way, after tirelessly ripping the p*ss out of Stuttgarts finest, you've seen the error of your ways ?

But in answer to your original question.....
The surface of the disc should appear totally smooth and like a very slightly blued steel/cast iron disc (almost like a dull blued mirror if that makes sense ) if it is in perfect condition.

Any pitting (especially around the holes in the discs face) is to be regarded with suspicion.
The discs shown below showed signs of pitting in some areas (this was as much as 3-4 mm in diameter in places when Reading inspected the car) As can be seen, the discs surface subsequently deteriorated rapidly within the next 600 miles.............





I look forward to hearing about your attempts to extract numerous sets of Ceramic discs out of Porsche GB.........
As Clubsport says, on the basis you've toasted the Merc brakes on several occasions the PCCBs won't last you long, get some of these....

Edited by slippydiff on Friday 26th January 08:55

[timmo]

Angus,

It depends on what year the RS is
if the car is a Nov- Feb 03-04 car i believe It has different types of carbon Brakes compounds on
we had a number of RS owners who had their Carbon brakes go on the earlier models
my other road RS is a june 04 car and I think they put a different/newer type ceramic as they look new
after 13,000 miles - ( this is my opinion - and what I have seen between the earlier and later 996 GT3 RSs)
If you are doing a lot of trackday go down the route of floating disks Alcon/Brembos
but make sure you do back and fronts - a few boyz only changed the fronts and this caused some funny braking situations
we are all going to Brands on the 5th with Parr Support and you will see the full range of different cars there

So no new M3 then ??




tim

[phatgixer]

LOL to all the ribbing about the seeing the error of my ways etc etc..

I've always said that the RS is probably a superior car to the CSL, just that it is rarely driven faster and the CSL represents significant better value for money.

But, I couldn't help myself, and after a year of not having a track car I have plunged in and bought the most obvious car missing from my CV. Looking forward to it.

Thanks for the photos and advice. The Alcon / Brembo conversion seems like amazing value. Is there a catch?

[phatgixer]

timmo said:

Angus,



So no new M3 then ??




tim

I still have a couple of E36 Racers in various stages of repair...

M3s should have a maximum 6 cylinders. BMW have never made a decent V8.

Edited by phatgixer on Friday 26th January 10:18

[timmo]

The Alcons dont rattle and the Brembos do a bit when worn
use RS 29s with SRF
you are more than welcome to have a few laps in my car


So you are Glenn Chasing !!!

poor sod he will have the biggest target on him this year !

tim

[phatgixer]

Glenn chasing? Other way round methinks...

[Jonny5]

How much is the Alcon/Brembo conversion ?

[bergmeister]

Tim your 13,000 miles on the ceramics,how many ish on track.I have a interest in these ceramics life now.
I see some discs have 4 holes per row and some with 5.

[slippydiff]

Jonny5 said:

How much is the Alcon/Brembo conversion ?

Fronts IRO £1250 fitted (depending on which pads you have fitted)
Rears a few quid cheaper.

[993rsr]

Should have a price in the next two weeks or so Bergy, I am led to believe 'our's' are generation 1 on the GT's. We may have to buy 5 sets between us is the only issue.

[slippydiff]

bergmeister said:

Tim your 13,000 miles on the ceramics,how many ish on track.I have a interest in these ceramics life now.
I see some discs have 4 holes per row and some with 5.

Porsches attempt to improve the cooling and prevent deterioration in the areas around the holes I believe.
There's a thread on Rennlist which differentiates between the version one and two type PCCB discs, I'll see if I can find it.

[slippydiff]

993rsr said:

Should have a price in the next two weeks or so Bergy, I am led to believe 'our's' are generation 1 on the GT's. We may have to buy 5 sets between us is the only issue.

If you're about to buy replacement ceramic discs for the CGT, I'd suggest you speak to Steve McHale at JZM, I think he's discussed having replacement steel discs made for the CGT with Alcon (though I can't remember what the outcome of the conversation was)

[993rsr]

slippydiff said:

993rsr said:

Should have a price in the next two weeks or so Bergy, I am led to believe 'our's' are generation 1 on the GT's. We may have to buy 5 sets between us is the only issue.

If you're about to buy replacement ceramic discs for the CGT, I'd suggest you speak to Steve McHale at JZM, I think he's discussed having replacement steel discs made for the CGT with Alcon (though I can't remember what the outcome of the conversation was)

Already have, he's waiting for a front and rear disc to be sent to him for sizes.

[timmo]

Bergmeister,

Ive only taken the Blue RS on the track twice - once at Brands for 6 laps and
10 laps around Goodwood

the secret to keep them in good nick is a long cooling down lap
and quick sharp braking

The floating discs are the way forward - you will get a whole season from them
whereas the Porsche Motorsport discs start cracking after 3-4 trackdays

Apparently the Porsche 997 Cup cars are fine on the ceramic brakes


tim

[MOD500]

Nice one PG

You have seen the light .... after so much time and subsequent p!ss taking of the venerable 911.

Cheers



Martyn.

[phatgixer]

Always liked 911s, as long as they weren't daft colours..