Confused about brakes

Constantly improving, refining the car (like a lot of us, I'm sure). I've got a 1983 944 with the stock manual brakes, acquired from another (former?) member on here. I've been looking into upgrading to turbo brakes, from the 1986 951.

Anyway, in researching the project, on the Porsche boards I've come across a number of posts from racers saying to each other that the stock brakes are "just fine" and that there is no reason to upgrade to turbo brakes, big reds, etc.

The conventional wisdom on this forum, of course, is that bigger/turbo brakes are essential. My car "new" to me, and I have not dynoed it. But I expect its in the range of 300-325 HP. I also expect to do some track days and some autocross, but unless I have a lot more free time and money soon, I'm not going racing.

So, I'm "shopping" for 1986 951 spindles, hubs, calipers. Do I need to move forward and get the 951 brakes, or am I safe remaining with my stock manual brake setup?

The stock brakes are good for a street driven only 944. With good rotors and track pads, they will work ok for a track day. I would definitely recommend going to the 951 front and rear brake setup. I would also recommend installing hydroboost to power the brakes. Manual brakes require a lot more pedal effort. This is ok on the street, but once you start tracking your car, you will find that it is a lot of work stopping the car with manual brakes. With 951 brakes and hydroboost, the car will have great brakes.

Hotrodz of Dallas wrote:The stock brakes are good for a street driven only 944. With good rotors and track pads, they will work ok for a track day. I would definitely recommend going to the 951 front and rear brake setup. I would also recommend installing hydroboost to power the brakes. Manual brakes require a lot more pedal effort. This is ok on the street, but once you start tracking your car, you will find that it is a lot of work stopping the car with manual brakes. With 951 brakes and hydroboost, the car will have great brakes.

Thanks. That's what I was thinking too.

Case Bays will be premiering a new dual piston 6:1 ratio manual break master cylinder unit. It is due to roll out Black Friday for about 4-5 hundred bucks.

It’s NASA (and others) approved and will provide a consistent peddle feel. BTW most race cars have manual brake with a bias adjustment.

Look at me sounding like a advertisement. Lol

I am just excited for it and I’m going this route on my street/track build. It’s smaller than a hydroboost and won’t need to worry about hydraulic lines/cooling/overheating problems.

Check it out

"Hotrodz of Dallas wrote:

The stock brakes are good for a street driven only 944. With good rotors and track pads, they will work ok for a track day. I would definitely recommend going to the 951 front and rear brake setup. I would also recommend installing hydroboost to power the brakes. Manual brakes require a lot more pedal effort. This is ok on the street, but once you start tracking your car, you will find that it is a lot of work stopping the car with manual brakes. With 951 brakes and hydroboost, the car will have great brakes."

I fully agree. I've got an 84 944 with 400WHP, and with the BMW HydroBoost and 951 (actually S2) brakes, it stops amazing, all day long! I found with the NA brakes, stopping power was great, but would fade in time at the track, and warp the rotors. I'm sure others would say there are fixes for this, but the best fix is the bigger brakes. There is no down side, even the weight is very close.

Gord.

LalaLady944 wrote:Case Bays will be premiering a new dual piston 6:1 ratio manual break master cylinder unit.  It is due to roll out Black Friday for about 4-5 hundred bucks....
...It’s smaller than a hydroboost and won’t need to worry about hydraulic lines/cooling/overheating problems.  

Thanks for the heads-up!  I went to the Chase Bays website but was not able to locate this new unit.  Can you post a link?  Much appreciated.

I am also very interested in this new dual master and would love to see the link.
As of 10/18/21, I do not see it on the website.