Brake upgrade using Porsche calipers for E46 M3

[2skiddy]

Hi, has anyone on here done a big(ish) front brake conversion on an E46 M3 using Porsche calipers? I think I have read somewhere that you can use Boxster S rear calipers with CSL discs, but would need the adapter brackets? Any info would be great.
Cheers

[gareth h]

Have a chat with Ray West at West tuning thruxton, he does porsche big brake conversions for lots of cars and was talking about an m3 conversion some time ago.

[ga41]

A guy over on Z4-Forum.com did it on his Z4M, same brakes as the CSL, you might find it helpful.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&am...

[NotNormal]

Done this myself, you use the front Boxster S calipers as they accomodate the 28mm thick CSL disc (rears on Boxster S are for use with 24mm discs)

Calipers need 5.5mm machining from the mounting boss when using brackets available from an american company called RallyRoad.net. You'll also need their braided brake lines to replace the standard items as well.

Don't expect it to be cheap though, by the time you have all the parts required your still looking at around the £900 mark. Fits standard 19" rims ok but I understand you may need spacers with the CSL rims.

Edit for spelling

Edited by NotNormal on Wednesday 16th February 11:09

[2skiddy]

Thanks for the replies. Always good to hear from someone that has done this already. I am thinking that maybe I will buy a new set of APs as I want to run on standard 18" wheels without spacers. There are some from Demon Tweeks at the moment for under 2K. Was hoping someone was returning their`s back to standard and selling the AP setup.

[foz01]

Do the ap bells mean they don't clash with the wheels?

I am in the middle of doing a Porsche front and rear clapper conversion but using uk brackets..

[2skiddy]

I believe the Porsche caliper is fatter, hence the need for spacers. The AP kit uses a narrower caliper (5575) to get round clearance problems. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I have asked the supplier if the AP kit clears the standard 18" wheels without spacers.

[Cheburator mk2]

It was me who did the conversion on the Z4 forum. I am running front and rear Porsche calipers with custom brackets. You will need CSL discs at the front and 15mm spacers to clear standard M3 wheels. The rears clear fine. I added 15mm spacers all round as I like symmetry The kit that I have is bolt on - no need for caliper or any other machining. It also fits Z3MCs...

[david_h]

Cheburator mk2 said:

It was me who did the conversion on the Z4 forum. I am running front and rear Porsche calipers with custom brackets. You will need CSL discs at the front and 15mm spacers to clear standard M3 wheels. The rears clear fine. I added 15mm spacers all round as I like symmetry The kit that I have is bolt on - no need for caliper or any other machining. It also fits Z3MCs...

I'm about to start buying parts to do this conversion to my E46 M3.

Where did you get the caliper carriers for the front from?

thanks

[foz01]

Matt on the csl register, sign up there And look in thr technical forum for Porsche brembo..

[david_h]

foz01 said:

Matt on the csl register, sign up there And look in thr technical forum for Porsche brembo..

many thanks, much appreciated.

[baldydaz]

to cheburator........are you still supplying the brackets for the rear brembo conversion for the e46 m3?
if so how much are they?
cheers

[baldydaz]

and are you using the boxster rear calipers part number 996 352 421/422?
cheers

[NotNormal]

Cheburator mk2 said:

You will need CSL discs at the front and 15mm spacers to clear standard M3 wheels.

I take your talking about the 18's then?

[Cheburator mk2]

Baldydaz - yes, Boxster S, Cayman S, 996 Carrera/ 997 Carrera rear calipers. You will need the FRONT hard lines to mate them to the BMW brake hoses.

Matt, on the CSL register is your guy re supply and prices

NotNormal - unless you know of any M3 s or Z4Ms that came with 17" or 19" as standard

P.S. I should have said 18" to be fair...