Brake Advice (again)...
Discussion
Sorry if I'm starting to get repetitive 
Basically the brakes on my 993 are a bit iffy and consensus is that caliper plate corrosion is allowing the pads to adhere to the discs while parked up. As a result, I have discs with pad imprints (the so-called 'warped' disc feeling) and a set of calipers that need a nice clean out.
This is obviously going to be labour intensive, so the perfect opportunity to upgrade the car.
I have 2 options:
1. Throw away all the original gear and fit Big Reds or similarly uprated equipment;
2. Thoroughly recondition the existing calipers, clean the discs and fit uprated pads / fluid and perhaps cooling to the brakes.
What are my best options? Keep in mind that the discs and pads have around 2000 road miles on them, and most of those were a trip to Switzerland where they were hardly used. Also, my 993 is a bit faster than normal so I am keen on uprating the braking system.
Anyone know ballpark total cost for Big Reds? Are big reds advisable? Or would I be content with an uprated pad and more cooling? Car use is recreational i.e. 'fast road' with occasional trackdays. I don't want to spend a fortune as I also want to do the suspension this year.
I've done the searches for pad recommendations but most of them tend to be for the lucky people here with expensive track cars (GT3s, RSs, etc.)
Basically the brakes on my 993 are a bit iffy and consensus is that caliper plate corrosion is allowing the pads to adhere to the discs while parked up. As a result, I have discs with pad imprints (the so-called 'warped' disc feeling) and a set of calipers that need a nice clean out.
This is obviously going to be labour intensive, so the perfect opportunity to upgrade the car.
I have 2 options:
1. Throw away all the original gear and fit Big Reds or similarly uprated equipment;
2. Thoroughly recondition the existing calipers, clean the discs and fit uprated pads / fluid and perhaps cooling to the brakes.
What are my best options? Keep in mind that the discs and pads have around 2000 road miles on them, and most of those were a trip to Switzerland where they were hardly used. Also, my 993 is a bit faster than normal so I am keen on uprating the braking system.
Anyone know ballpark total cost for Big Reds? Are big reds advisable? Or would I be content with an uprated pad and more cooling? Car use is recreational i.e. 'fast road' with occasional trackdays. I don't want to spend a fortune as I also want to do the suspension this year.
I've done the searches for pad recommendations but most of them tend to be for the lucky people here with expensive track cars (GT3s, RSs, etc.)
I'd stick to recon the existing calipers and may be add cooling ducts if you find they're fading on track days. The main advantage of Big Red is that it can run for much longer on track without too much fade. Bear in mind that you only track the car few times a yr, the standard callipers should be more than adequate for the job. On top of that, the Big Red set is a fair bit heavier than the standard one, hence ++ unsprung wt.
cheeers!
I'll start looking around to see what's available re: ducts for the brakes.
Pads are still a mystery to me though. They have to work properly on the road (i.e. from cold, and no loud squealing!). Pagid pads are mentioned in the RS / track experts thread, though there appear to be loads of alternatives.
I'll start looking around to see what's available re: ducts for the brakes.
Pads are still a mystery to me though. They have to work properly on the road (i.e. from cold, and no loud squealing!). Pagid pads are mentioned in the RS / track experts thread, though there appear to be loads of alternatives.
Currently running 17s, they look a little heavy. I'd only replace them if I could get considerably lighter wheels - the wheels fitted to some 996s with the thin spokes are meant to be very light, but I'm not sure I want 18s on the car.
I think the earlier 993s need modifications to safely fit 18 inch wheels as well. I'm trying hard to stick to my 'stealth' policy and keep the car looking standard...
I think the earlier 993s need modifications to safely fit 18 inch wheels as well. I'm trying hard to stick to my 'stealth' policy and keep the car looking standard...
Cyberface....you are going to be spending a lot of money if you upgrade to big reds, 18" wheels and suspension. It would almost be worth adding your engine mods to a later car that had most of these things already fitted.
I have seen big reds fitted with 17" wheels on a trackday, I think 928's had 17"s with this size brake anyhow.
to fit 18" on to an early 993...pre '96 the only addition required as far as I am aware is a steering arm support bracket that runs about 35 quid.
Probably best to refurb what you currently have,,if you start upgrading pad materials on a road car you can run into early heating and noise problems.
On the road I see little benefit from the brake cooling ducts,,,I use mine on track and can't say I miss not having them.
I have seen big reds fitted with 17" wheels on a trackday, I think 928's had 17"s with this size brake anyhow.
to fit 18" on to an early 993...pre '96 the only addition required as far as I am aware is a steering arm support bracket that runs about 35 quid.
Probably best to refurb what you currently have,,if you start upgrading pad materials on a road car you can run into early heating and noise problems.
On the road I see little benefit from the brake cooling ducts,,,I use mine on track and can't say I miss not having them.
clubsport said:
Cyberface....you are going to be spending a lot of money if you upgrade to big reds, 18" wheels and suspension.
I'd rather not have 18" wheels anyway to be honest. The big red question was purely about whether I'd need to upgrade my brakes on a safety basis. I'm likely to do some further development on the engine in the future (unless I can afford the dream 993 GT2 any time soon
). I got serious rumbling and fade from standard 993 brakes in my last car (96 model) at Snetterton a couple of years back, and that had a standard Varioram engine.
Definitely doing suspension later this year though
There is another option. Make sure the current brakes are properly serviced in tip top condition with fresh brake fluid and then learn to drive properly on your trackdays !
Never once had brake fade on my 993 when I raced one. More than man enough for the job. Brake hard and release, don`t dither on the brake pedal. Also make sure you allow the brakes to cool properly, if need be for several laps before parking up. When you do park up leave the car in gear with the hand brake off to ensure as little heat sink to the brake fluid as possible.
Keep smiling and feel free to send half the money saved !
Henry
Never once had brake fade on my 993 when I raced one. More than man enough for the job. Brake hard and release, don`t dither on the brake pedal. Also make sure you allow the brakes to cool properly, if need be for several laps before parking up. When you do park up leave the car in gear with the hand brake off to ensure as little heat sink to the brake fluid as possible.
Keep smiling and feel free to send half the money saved !
Henry
I have to agree with Henry. Get your brakes into tip top condition first. Each calliper will take a specialist a little over an hour to clean up the corrosion under the plates. New plates are not essential but if they are it will be circa £100 extra.
These brakes are awesome when working correctly. They are the exact same pad as in the 959. I know your 993 is Supercharged but I track my same weight 944T on full slicks and its brakes never have a problem.
If you still have problems, then refurbished 993 callipers will easily sell on to fund a Big Red setup - and they do fit under 17" wheels
These brakes are awesome when working correctly. They are the exact same pad as in the 959. I know your 993 is Supercharged but I track my same weight 944T on full slicks and its brakes never have a problem.
If you still have problems, then refurbished 993 callipers will easily sell on to fund a Big Red setup - and they do fit under 17" wheels
2500 euros' plus fitting and possibly tax.
www.cargraphic.com/index.php?/s,6,7,18,712,1257,1609/
and here
www.fvd-web.com/shop/index.php3?lang=en&grl1=4&grl2=9&grl3=2
ps Im not saying fit these as I don't know what would be best for you.
>> Edited by pesty on Thursday 17th February 21:14
www.cargraphic.com/index.php?/s,6,7,18,712,1257,1609/
and here
www.fvd-web.com/shop/index.php3?lang=en&grl1=4&grl2=9&grl3=2
ps Im not saying fit these as I don't know what would be best for you.
>> Edited by pesty on Thursday 17th February 21:14
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