Boxster S brakes on a 2.5 Boxster
Discussion
Try this forum there's an American chap on there (log on name 'Tool Pants' 
) who is a Boxster mechanic and seems to know all there is to know about them.
) who is a Boxster mechanic and seems to know all there is to know about them.We have done the conversion a couple of times on supercharged 2.5 boxsters. The front is not a problem, all bolts on, but the rear is not compatible as the handbrake mechanism is smaller on the 2.5, we ended up fitting the S fronts and painting the rear calipers to match the new red front calipers. Including all parts, labour & VAT you should budget for £1000ish.
You asking me, Craig? Just thought I would clarify as I never take "nein" for an answer....
The blower installation on a 2.5 is a useful way of gaining bottom end and mid range torque but due to the installation limitations (blower size and speed) we do not see large gains at the top of the range. A typical standard 2.5 will have around 150-160bhp at the wheels, the best blower to date has posted 205 but typically 195-200. Not quite S performance at the top end, as good as down below.
The blower installation on a 2.5 is a useful way of gaining bottom end and mid range torque but due to the installation limitations (blower size and speed) we do not see large gains at the top of the range. A typical standard 2.5 will have around 150-160bhp at the wheels, the best blower to date has posted 205 but typically 195-200. Not quite S performance at the top end, as good as down below.
ninemeister said: We have done the conversion a couple of times on supercharged 2.5 boxsters. The front is not a problem, all bolts on, but the rear is not compatible as the handbrake mechanism is smaller on the 2.5, we ended up fitting the S fronts and painting the rear calipers to match the new red front calipers. Including all parts, labour & VAT you should budget for £1000ish.
What paint did you use on the brakes? And where did you get it from. I have been looking all over for this paint and no one seems to sell it.
I have the front disks and calipers etc on (looking the dogs!) but have encountered the problems described by 9M when fitting the rear disks. The ‘S’ rear calipers are on (also looking the dogs!) but getting the disks on is a bit of a challenge. Someone (Jonathan) on www.986board.com suggested these solutions:
Either:
1) change out the hub carriers for Boxster S hub carriers, ~1000.00 from Suncoast. Then use stock rotors and lug bolts.
2) put a 9mm spacer onto the hub and then mount the rotor on top of that (custom spacer needed). Use stock rotors with longer lug bolts.
3) use a two-piece racing-type rotor from a race shop. Coleman racing makes them for example. Have them manufacture you a custom rotor hat (reuse the hat and just replace the friction ring as needed). Use longer lug bolts.
You might be able to get away with stock lug bolts but going with longer ones is probably safer in scenario 1 and 2.
Also:
Purchase and install Boxster S parking brake shoes, springs, and misc parts (cheap). You will have to drill new alignment holes in the shoes, otherwise it will all fit.
Any ideas?
Either:
1) change out the hub carriers for Boxster S hub carriers, ~1000.00 from Suncoast. Then use stock rotors and lug bolts.
2) put a 9mm spacer onto the hub and then mount the rotor on top of that (custom spacer needed). Use stock rotors with longer lug bolts.
3) use a two-piece racing-type rotor from a race shop. Coleman racing makes them for example. Have them manufacture you a custom rotor hat (reuse the hat and just replace the friction ring as needed). Use longer lug bolts.
You might be able to get away with stock lug bolts but going with longer ones is probably safer in scenario 1 and 2.
Also:
Purchase and install Boxster S parking brake shoes, springs, and misc parts (cheap). You will have to drill new alignment holes in the shoes, otherwise it will all fit.
Any ideas?
ninemeister said: You asking me, Craig? Just thought I would clarify as I never take "nein" for an answer....
The blower installation on a 2.5 is a useful way of gaining bottom end and mid range torque but due to the installation limitations (blower size and speed) we do not see large gains at the top of the range. A typical standard 2.5 will have around 150-160bhp at the wheels, the best blower to date has posted 205 but typically 195-200. Not quite S performance at the top end, as good as down below.
Ah ok thx. Was thinking it might be a cheap way of liberating some power. But I think In that case I'd get an S (or wait for my mum to get bored of her 2.7 and supercharge that)
ninemeister said: d3ano,
Suffice to say that painting calipers is not a job to do at home with iso-cyanates about the place, but we can paint calipers any colour you like for a small fee, of course.
C'mon, 9M. We've all seen the 'Caliper Lacquer' kits in Halfords
Looks like a DIY job to me 
Do you go the whole hog and stencil 'Porsche' in white on them, by getting a vinyl cut out made? Seen that done and it looks factory perfect.
.... 'big blues' are novel at the very least Seals are not available seperately, so unless you want to pay for a full set of pistons to replace the seals (£160) you are better off just changing the stainless steel pad slide plates if required. Any colour is possible, with any colour decal, the Maritime blue RS caliper in the photo has a silver decal, looks tough behind a black wheel.
Cheers Colin. Looks like a worthy cosmetic enhancement -especially on older cars. The Red Baron had crappy black calipers with the paint peeling off, despite their turbo heritage, and a spot of speed yellow would have looked quite good.
For those of you who fancy embarking on this project yourself, you can go to Halfords for some caliper paint and then see how to do the lettering here:
http://p-car.com/caliper/
But even the guy above had them proifessionally sprayed, and if you end up with bits of fluff stuck to the paint and 'Porch' written on your calipers by mistake, then you should have gone to the ninemeister
>> Edited by domster (moderator) on Friday 11th April 17:03
For those of you who fancy embarking on this project yourself, you can go to Halfords for some caliper paint and then see how to do the lettering here:
http://p-car.com/caliper/
But even the guy above had them proifessionally sprayed, and if you end up with bits of fluff stuck to the paint and 'Porch' written on your calipers by mistake, then you should have gone to the ninemeister
>> Edited by domster (moderator) on Friday 11th April 17:03
Our process uses 2-pack paint, the full works being:
1. Clean & degrease
2. Mask off seals & pistons
3. bead blast if required
4. rub down original paint by hand
5. Etch prime if required
6. prime
7. rub down
8. base coat
9. decal
10.laquer
By applying the laquer top coat over the decal it prevents the usual problem of the decal peeling off with heat & the elements. We cannot guarantee the calipers will not colour change under heat, but there again my big reds have gone orange on the RSR so even Porsche cannot stop this problem.
1. Clean & degrease
2. Mask off seals & pistons
3. bead blast if required
4. rub down original paint by hand
5. Etch prime if required
6. prime
7. rub down
8. base coat
9. decal
10.laquer
By applying the laquer top coat over the decal it prevents the usual problem of the decal peeling off with heat & the elements. We cannot guarantee the calipers will not colour change under heat, but there again my big reds have gone orange on the RSR so even Porsche cannot stop this problem.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff