Power brakes for 944 setup...

[Shad Laws]

Hey guys-

I'm contemplating adapting some sort of power braking system to my 944 braking setup.

I have 1-pot 944 brakes all around (54mm front and 36mm rear calipers) and I have a 944 master cylinder (23.81mm front and 19.06mm rear). I also have SS lines and carbon/kevlar pads. Braking travel is excellent. Braking effort isn't bad, but having less would be nice :-).

Do you think adapting the 944 servo would be a good idea? Or, would looking into a pair of Hydrovac systems be a good idea? Or, am I just insane? (Hey, be nice :-).

The 944 servo makes the most sense, until you think about fitment. I venture to say that clearance with T3 steering is almost worse than a T1... possible, maybe, but not fun.

BTW, I tried the setup with a stock T3 master cylinder (19.06mm front and 19.06mm rear, just like T1 or early 911), and although pedal force was nice, there was WAAAY too much travel and spongyness.

Take care,

[Alex]

Hey Shad,

everything worked out well? How does it stop now compared to before?
Good to hear that the travel is good.

Alex

[Shad Laws]

Hey Alex-

everything worked out well?

Eventually :-).


How does it stop now compared to before?

After the first couple stops of the morning, it does excellently. The pads don't like cold, but it takes very little to get them warm - just a couple stops around the neighborhood at low speeds is fine.

Once that's done, they stop extremely well! After a decent brake break-in period (how's that for a tongue-, er, finger-twister?), I went on a desolate, straight 2-lane country road, floored it through 5 gears to 120mph, then hit the brakes hard, and repeated the procedure. I had three goals in mind:
- test brake bias to ensure that front locks first (it does!)
- test brake heat dissipation ability (um, very good)
- apply big grin to my face

Compared to before, it rocks. The bendix-style 1-pot brakes I had on the rear (CB's kit) always felt a little sloppy. These are much better.


Good to hear that the travel is good.

It is, with the 944 MC. The stock one doesn't cut it.

Also, I hooked up the MC the way Porsche intended, with the big part for the front. I know many people reverse this order out of fear of incorrect brake bias, but it works fine for my car.

Thanks so much for your help on the project, Alex!

Take care,

[zen]

very interesting. i am still waffling on what brakes i am going to use on my bug. so do we get a tech article on these power brakes?

[kdanie]

Shad, it's easy to reduce pedal effort without a power servo. The factory type 1 pedal geomety is about 5.5-1 ratio. I would guess your type 3 is the same. Lengthen your pedal an inch and hold on to your hat!

I fabricated my own pedals with a 6.4-1 ratio. I need a hydraulic clutch (auto stick car) anyway so I did an entire pedal set. More work than I expected but it turned out decent. I used roller bearings on the pivot shafts with bronze bushings on the ends.
ken

[Shad Laws]

Hello-

Shad, it's easy to reduce pedal effort without a power servo. The factory type 1 pedal geomety is about 5.5-1 ratio. I would guess your type 3 is the same. Lengthen your pedal an inch and hold on to your hat!

Yes, that would reduce pedal effort, but increase pedal travel. My goal is to have my cake and eat it, too :-).

I fabricated my own pedals with a 6.4-1 ratio. I need a hydraulic clutch (auto stick car) anyway so I did an entire pedal set. More work than I expected but it turned out decent. I used roller bearings on the pivot shafts with bronze bushings on the ends.

Sounds groovy!
Take care,

[Steve C]

Hi

Im using Porsche brakes all round, the front brakes have 37.5 mm & 26 mm pistons and the rears have 30 mm & 28 mm pistons. I using a stock MC and my pedal feels great, good height and modulation. I went from late type 3 fronts & 36 mm Golf calipers to my current set up and have to say the pedal feels much the same. Im using Bendix metal kings in the front and Textas in the rear, maybe your pads were a bit hard.

I have seen power boosters fitted to Beetles, they were remote types so they fitted under the rear seat, they called locally VH 44 and came on Austin 1800s.

Steve C

[Superman]

After a few years of reading feedback it seems that the 944 m/c works well with the single piston calipers and the (Super) Bug m/c works well with the four piston calipers. Leaving nothing to chance, when I finally get my Super on the road if I'm not happy with the pedal effort I'll opt for the Kerscher m/c.

[bug-er]

sorry guys to go completly off the plot for a minute
but where can kerscher brakes and m/cs be brought from?? The one place that i knew to in the uk has no gone bust:(
cheers
Adam:D

[Alex]

You can try Power Tuning Parts in Germany or even Kerscher directly.

Alex

[bug-er]

jesus that was a quick reply unlike mine:rolleyes:
cheers for the names but do you know of any sites that arent in german?? or am i gonna have to get me old german dictionary out??
cheers anyway
Adam

[Alex]

Try www.csp-shop.de .

They have it in English.
You can also email Oliver at Power Tuning Parts. He is English is very good or ask in his forum here on the site.

Alex

[Superman]

Just send Kerscher an email, they can read and reply in English.

[bug-er]

cheers guys:D
Adam