924Board.org

Latka · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Kaneohe, Hawai'i

Excuse me if this has already been brought up. My quick search didn't return anything that looked too promising.

Is it possible to uprade to the "big red" style brake kit on the 924S? Or, I guess the more appropriate question is, how compatible are the braking systems of the 944 to the 924S?

Manning · Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Akron O-Hi-O

Yes it is, but why bother other than for the bling bling factor. You will have to replace a bunch of parts and likely bump up to 17" wheels which I think you already plan to do. Check out the 924/44/51/68 section on the Rennlist forums as a few people have upgraded early 944s to either turbo brakes or Big Reds, specifically a guy named Jeremy Mudd who goes by Tifosiman. What I can remember, you have to replace just about the entire front suspension including the steering knuckles/spindles with parts from a 951 (944 Turbo). This means you will lose your speedometer function since it is driven by a cable off the front wheel on a 924S. The rears are a bit easier as they are basically plug and play. Also finding good used 951 calipers can be pretty touch and not so cheap, and Big Red certainly are not cheap.
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Michael Manning
1988 924S Undergoing weight loss program

Latka · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Kaneohe, Hawai'i

Thanks, Michael.

At this point it's just like 400 other ideas in my head.

I might just get some new shocks and check the springs... and leave it at that.

Then again, I might go completely insane and try to shove the 951 motor in there, too. Only time will tell! Thankfully there are enough folks on 924.org that have an idea of what is going on to let me know the real scoop.

xsboost90 · Joined: 30 May 2004 Posts: 66 Location: cincinnati, OH

jeremy has s4 928 front brakes w/ custom rotors...you can put turbo or s4 calipers under 16" rims, not sure if all though....best upgrade for 924s would be the turbo brakes.
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racing is life, everything that happens, before and after, is just waiting.

dgz924s · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 592 Location: Kansas

Why add more weight. The car doesn't have the power to justify the bigger brakes.
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Dal Glassinger

xsboost90 · Joined: 30 May 2004 Posts: 66 Location: cincinnati, OH

i agree... my 24s does great on the track, what you really need is some good pads. Some like the bigger brakes to stop later and keep the speed up to the corner, but then you have to power out of a dead stop.
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racing is life, everything that happens, before and after, is just waiting.

dgz924s · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 592 Location: Kansas

Amen! I am still trying to figure out how NOT to use my brakes!

The power coming off the brakes in certain corners is a key factor in keeping the momentum going and sometimes it seems like you power up from a dead start! To do well in a 924S you must keep up the momentum.

ummmm maybe I will remove the front brakes and rely only on the rear to scrub speed!

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Dal Glassinger

CBass · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 2807 Location: Vancouver, Canada

IIRC, the '86 951 brakes and rear alloy trailing arms should bolt in for the rear, but I recall hearing they don't bolt on to the front... Differences in the spindle I think, but I'm not sure how. It wouldn't be too much of a chore to fabricate a new lower control arm for the front though and adapt the 951 spindle to it.

As for the braking issues, the answer is a neutral balance and careful inertia management.
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'81 931 in various states of assembly

Manning · Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Akron O-Hi-O

The 924S already has the alloy trailing arms. The rear brake swap is a straight bolt on for all intents and purposes. In the front you really mostly need to swap out the steering knuckles, brakes, hubs and rotor but not the control arms. You can use the steel arms.

Worse comes to worse you CAN install early offset alloy front control arms and caster blocks from a 85.5 thru 86 944 or 86 951 onto a 924S. They are a straight swap, though you have to make sure your have the correct sway bar end links since the once for the alloy arms are different compared to the ones for steels arms.

Like others have already said though, it really probably isn't worth the effort other than for gee wiz factor. Think about it, the 924 Carrera GT essentially had the same brakes as the 924S. What is on the car now should be fine.
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Michael Manning
1988 924S Undergoing weight loss program