4 Pot front brake Callipers for 3.2 Carrera

[Ant7]

Hi All,

Just wondering if there are any later 4 pot front callipers that will fit the 1984 to 1987 3.2 Carrera, without severe modification.

All input welcome. 

[sopor]

Something like this is one option https://www.rsrproducts.com/product-page/rebel-s-racing-boxter-to-911-front-caliper-adapter-kit

And I think C16 makes suitable calipers?

[sladey]

Yep boxster front calipers fit. From memory though it's only the early ones (from a 2.5) that fit. They work with 15 inch wheels as well. You need a pair of calipers and a couple of adapter brackets. I think I did a thread on here when I did mine but I can't be sure. It's a nice upgrade - doesn't cost much and much improved braking. I've had them on mine for probably about 15 years now. 

The C16 ones are nicer but considerably more spendy - marketed by various companies who brand them - early 911, Tuthills. I think they are better still than the boxster brakes but I've never ever found myself running out of brake so the C16s could be overkill

And to be fair the original front calipers are pretty good

[Chris T]

Agreed, an excellent and cheap mod for a 3.2 (or SC) uses standard early boxter callipers and standard 3.2 discs. You’ll need the adaptors and from memory some new brake hoses. Mark (silverwt) did an excellent thread on the subject some years ago. He also advises removing the bias valve which I have done and can report a very worthwhile improvement for not much cash. 

[Leicestershire]

22 minutes ago, Chris T said:

Agreed, an excellent and cheap mod for a 3.2 (or SC) uses standard early boxter callipers and standard 3.2 discs. You’ll need the adaptors and from memory some new brake hoses. Mark (silverwt) did an excellent thread on the subject some years ago. He also advises removing the bias valve which I have done and can report a very worthwhile improvement for not much cash. 

Original hoses work OK but you need to replace the standard SC/3.2 'J' pipe with new hard line - preferably built up with a banjo. This allows the bracket on the suspension leg to be retained.

You can bodge the job by fitting longer hoses but you end up with the hose to caliper connection very exposed to any flying debris.

[Chris T]

I actually replaced both halves with flexi, joined at the bracket. Makes calliper removal way easier. I know the theory behind hard lines but if race cars have flexi from pedal to calliper it’s good enough for me! 

[Ant7]

Thanks everyone for your input brilliant! I will look into the options suggested so far, meanwhile anyone with picks from their conversions would also be much appreciated. 😎

 

[Phill]

Best thing about the Boxster calipers on my SC was the unsprung weight loss. The steering was noticeably lighter.

[Anil]

8 hours ago, Chris T said:

I actually replaced both halves with flexi, joined at the bracket. Makes calliper removal way easier. I know the theory behind hard lines but if race cars have flexi from pedal to calliper it’s good enough for me! 

Hello Chris...Just to follow up on Ant7's request, do you have any pics of how your new flexi hoses connect to the Boxster caliper?

My front discs and pads need replacement soon but have decided to swap out the calipers to Boxster at the same time.

I've recently picked up a cheap pair of front Boxster calipers and ordered the Elephant Racing adapter kit (https://www.elephantracing.com/product/boxster-to-911-front-caliper-conversion-kit/).

The Elephant kit comes with new flexis and (longer) hard lines for each side, whereas the Rebel Racing kit (linked in the previous post above) comes with a single flexi hose with a banjo connector at the caliper. I actually preferred the Rebel option but had no response regardless of multiple attempts to order from them !

[Ian Comerford]

29 minutes ago, Anil said:

Hello Chris...Just to follow up on Ant7's request, do you have any pics of how your new flexi hoses connect to the Boxster caliper?

My front discs and pads need replacement soon but have decided to swap out the calipers to Boxster at the same time.

I've recently picked up a cheap pair of front Boxster calipers and ordered the Elephant Racing adapter kit (https://www.elephantracing.com/product/boxster-to-911-front-caliper-conversion-kit/).

The Elephant kit comes with new flexis and (longer) hard lines for each side, whereas the Rebel Racing kit (linked in the previous post above) comes with a single flexi hose with a banjo connector at the caliper. I actually preferred the Rebel option but had no response regardless of multiple attempts to order from them !

Long time no see Anil, we could do with an update when you have time

[Ant7]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the input, I have considered my options, and I have decided to go with a recommendation on another thread here,  which is to get all four callipers rebuilt by Classicar Automotive, towards the end of the year, when the car is parked up for the winter. 

Again; thanks for all the input, much appreciated. 

[Northy]

I’ve just bought Boxster calipers and the rebel racing kit too.  I’ve got a slightly sticky caliper and it’s a great excuse to apply man maths into upgrading the brakes 😬 

I normally use ds2500 pads, but might try something else. I haven’t done many track days for a while, so my priority is a great bite, even when cold. Any suggestions? 

On a separate note, does anyone know if Goodridge braided hoses have a life span? 

[Ian Comerford]

Interesting!  The answer seems to be “ long lasting with a lifetime guarantee”

https://www.goodridge.co.uk/pages/faqs-braided-brake-lines-vs-rubber-brake-lines

[Northy]

6 minutes ago, Ian Comerford said:

Interesting!  The answer seems to be “ long lasting with a lifetime guarantee”

https://www.goodridge.co.uk/pages/faqs-braided-brake-lines-vs-rubber-brake-lines

Thanks Ian - that’s good news 👍

[GaryH]

But as Fraser used to say, being braided, how can you check their internal condition ? 🤔

[Chris T]

Anil, welcome back. I don't have a photo but the Elephant solution is what I did except both hoses are flexi so I can remove calliper easily in future. I would highly recommend this mod and leave the rears standard but remove the bias valve as per Mark's thread. However, it seems you've stepped into big money territory and there may not be a way back....!! 

[Anil]

Thanks for the all the responses.

I'm just in the process of ordering the final parts from Matthew at Type911 : 2x Sebro 3.2 discs (plain rather than slotted) & Brembo HP2000 pads (look fine for road use).

I'm planning to fit the hard lines provided in the Elephant kit but may order a spare set of flexi hoses just in case I mess up the pipe bending.

@Northy : Hello Lewis ... Any chance you could measure and PM me the length of the front flexis provided with the Rebel Racing kit you ordered?

Rather than continuing to spam Ant7's post I'll try and document any issues with the install (which there will be many with my "skills"...) in a separate post, or follow up on Mark's (SilverWT) post stated above.

[Northy]

3 hours ago, Anil said:

Thanks for the all the responses.

I'm just in the process of ordering the final parts from Matthew at Type911 : 2x Sebro 3.2 discs (plain rather than slotted) & Brembo HP2000 pads (look fine for road use).

I'm planning to fit the hard lines provided in the Elephant kit but may order a spare set of flexi hoses just in case I mess up the pipe bending.

@Northy : Hello Lewis ... Any chance you could measure and PM me the length of the front flexis provided with the Rebel Racing kit you ordered?

Rather than continuing to spam Ant7's post I'll try and document any issues with the install (which there will be many with my "skills"...) in a separate post, or follow up on Mark's (SilverWT) post stated above.

The communication from Rebel Racing has been shocking, so I’m not actually sure they’re going to process the order! I’ve ordered the elephant racing set now, so I’m going to cancel the rebel racing set and try and get my money back. 
 

please do share your progress Anil. 

[Leicestershire]

On 12/06/2023 at 21:14, Ian Comerford said:

Interesting!  The answer seems to be “ long lasting with a lifetime guarantee”

https://www.goodridge.co.uk/pages/faqs-braided-brake-lines-vs-rubber-brake-lines

This information has changed in recent years.

Previous recommendation was to replace braided lines every 10 years.

[sopor]

On 17/06/2023 at 23:06, Northy said:

The communication from Rebel Racing has been shocking, so I’m not actually sure they’re going to process the order! I’ve ordered the elephant racing set now, so I’m going to cancel the rebel racing set and try and get my money back. 
 

please do share your progress Anil. 

I think RR gets a fair bit of bad press on Pelican for their customer service. Sounds like a business with a good technical side and a not-so-good business side in terms of inventory management and promptness in shipping and responding to customers. In this day and age we expect online availability/ordering means prompt order fulfilment as well.

[hagarep]

I have purchased brake parts from Rebel Racing before and been very happy with the response and shipping.

 

[Fred]

Worth giving a call to PiePerformance:

https://www.pieperformance.co.uk/ppt/ppt-brake-upgrades/

Lovely guys. 

[LukasM]

19 hours ago, sopor said:

I think RR gets a fair bit of bad press on Pelican for their customer service. Sounds like a business with a good technical side and a not-so-good business side in terms of inventory management and promptness in shipping and responding to customers. In this day and age we expect online availability/ordering means prompt order fulfilment as well.

This, Rebel is great at coming up with cool technical solutions and manufacturing them, customer service, not so much....

 

As for the longevity of braided hoses, it depends on the liner material. If it's rubber it's going to deteriorate sooner rather than later (e.g. 5-10 years for fuel lines if you are using high Ethanol content fuels), but PTFE (the generic version of Teflon™) lined is pretty much impervious to degradation from most fluids like gas, oil, ethanol etc, at least when compared to human life spans. 😅

 

So if you are buying new brake/fuel hoses for your car, make sure it's PTFE lined! 

 

"Superior to OEM rubber brake lines, Goodridge Premium Performance brake lines feature a PTFE inner core wrapped in a stainless steel braided outer, ensuring the line doesn’t expand under pressure, to maximise effort exerted at the brake pedal directly to the calliper."

[sopor]

Bit of a thread hijack - any idea what these callipers are from? Was told they were 964 calipers but surprised to see they bolted up to G body struts without adapters.

[Nige]

You can make em fit make elongating the mounting holes on the calliper, or weld up and redrill.

 

I reckon the Boxster upgrade is easier and just as effective as 964 callipers.