Questions for people with 996 front brakes

[jk_s3]

hi guys, ive managed to get hold of some 996 calipers after seeing and reading about the conversion,

so, the part numbers of the calipers i have are 996. 351. 425 and 996. 351. 426.

from what ive read am i right in saying these are the front calipers off a 996 turbo?

i have 330mm brackets to use with them, i have read that i need alfa front discs but im unsure of exactly what model alfa they are from? i also have read that the pcd has to be re drilled to suit 5x100 stud pattern, how much is this likely to cost??

last thing is that the caliper link pipes have to be swapped so the calipers can be mounted other way up, question is is the bigger piston supposed to be at the top or at the bottom of the caliper when fitted?

i have tried to search for the answers but ive not managed to find any direct answers to my questions,

thanks in advance for you help.

 

[Westy]

I have 986 brakes so can't answer most of your questions but I can tell you that the smallest piston needs to be at the top. This is because the smaller piston needs to make contact with the disc first as it does most of the light braking. The larger piston comes into play when you press harder.

 

[jk_s3]

Thanks westy, one question down, two to go! hopefully someone will have the answers....

 

[Lizard-Racing]

Why use Alfa discs when Cupra R bolt straight on? Yes you need to swap the link pipes because on a Porsche they are trailing and S3 has leading calipers. Other wise they will squeal!

 

[Prawn]

As westy says, swap the cross overs and nipples around to get the leading /trailling pistons correct.

Those parts numbers are 996 fronts indeed, colour will determine what they're from.

Red calipers are from a Boxster S
Black calipers are from a Carrera 2
Silver calipers are from a Carrera 4

Carrera 4s and turbo had different calipers again, but you needn't worry about those.

The discs you need are 330x28mm discs from an Alfa brera, and they need the centre PCD redrilled from 5x110 to 5x100.

Hi-Spec will re-drill the discs for £25 each + VAT. I'd recommend having them grooved whilst they're there too, again it's £25 per disc.

You'll need some lines with M8 (I think - check first it's been a while!) fittings, available from Bill at Badger 5.

After that, you'll just need some decent pads. DS2500's for these calipers are really cheap on Camskill at the moment, so that's where I'd be looking, unless you want to pull your face off, in which case I'd get DS3000's.

You'll love them once they're on, they're simply epic brakes. i wish i still had mine!

 

[jk_s3]

Alfa discs are cheaper than cupra discs by a fair amount, im thinking if i need to have the caliper mounts machined to take a 323mm disc i might as well have the alfa discs drilled instead, also 330mm has to be better than 323mm in terms of brake performance right??

 

[Prawn]

Why use Alfa discs when Cupra R bolt straight on? Yes you need to swap the link pipes because on a Porsche they are trailing and S3 has leading calipers. Other wise they will squeal!

Not sure about the disc offset on those Alex, they might be the same as the Alfas? I never compared my two setup's side by side to be honest.

I guess if the offset were the same, all you'd need to do it machine 3.5mm off the face of the 330mm carrier to get it working on a 323mm disc.

 

[Prawn]

Alfa discs are cheaper than cupra discs by a fair amount, im thinking if i need to have the caliper mounts machined to take a 323mm disc i might as well have the alfa discs drilled instead, also 330mm has to be better than 323mm in terms of brake performance right??

By the time you've bought plain alfa discs and had them re-drilled, you'll have spent similar to a set of LCR discs. machining the carrier is a one time expense, so I guess it depends on your preference.

I ran 330's on mine, and 323's now on my track car. i'd say pad choice is more important

 

[jk_s3]

When you put it like that Prawn i see what you mean, thanks for the info and advice, always good hearing from someone who has been there before.

 

[jk_s3]

Lizard-racing, do you have lcr discs with 996 calipers on your car? im just wondering if the offset of lcr discs definately works with 996 calipers?

 

[jk_s3]

bump guys, still hope someone can help me!!

 

[Prawn]

You've been helped! Now it is time to help yourself sir!

 

[afcbjoshd]

gtech 911 do carriers that allow you to utilise the 312mm s3 discs so just get those carriers and get some upgraded s3 discs. then get decent pads as already mentioned. job done and money saved and hassle saved redrilling different discs. unless you're desperate to run the larger dics.