Billzcat1, the maker of the excellent Short shift kit....

[panzerwagen]

has now come out with a fantastic Big Brake kit for 16" wheels, here is how he describes it.....

The new "Ultralight" kit from Billzcat1. We're looking at a 12.2" 2-piece rotor weighing under 11 lbs and a 6 lb 4-pot Porsche 996 rear caliper all stuffed under most 16" wheels. This represents about 14 lb per corner savings over Girling 60s, and for once the savings is not only unsprung, but also rotational - a big brake kit which improves acceleration, ride and handling as well as its regular duty of shorter stopping distances and less fade!

I have recently mounted this kit on my CQ and let me just say it's utterly fantastic! The brake pedal feel is nothing less than amazing. The quality of materials and the machining is a beauty too behold. SS lines are provided as well as all mounting hardware. Instructions and torque specs for the said hardware are provided. It should go on in a matter of a half hour or so with the exception of getting the OEM unions on the brake lines to come apart.
So those looking for an in-expensive big brake upgrade and wanting to retain their 16" & 17" wheels, this is the kit you've been waiting for.

[Jamo]

You gotta love the the Americans selling spiel. heh

Pics?

[Alistair C]

We're looking at a 12.2" 2-piece rotor weighing under 11 lbs and a 6 lb 4-pot Porsche 996 rear caliper

Now I thought the standard 996 rear caliper could only accomodate 25mm thick disks ........... ?

And also much smaller pistons - which don't match the S2's master cylinder capacity nearly as well as the fronts do........

[panzerwagen]

Jamo, didn't know it offended you so much. Sorry.

Just helping out & passing the word to others who might be interested. Nothing gained or lost. I thought some here who didn't want too pay thru the nose for a brake upgrade might take some interest in this mod.
Pix of some of the parts(Disc and mounting bracket) as follows....

[BRY]

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5957&highlight=996+rear+calipers

What was the outcome of this?
Was it a car problem or caliper choice?

[Alistair C]

Just helping out .......... I thought some here who didn't want too pay thru the nose for a brake upgrade might take some interest in this mod.

all good info - but from reading previous posts - people came to the conclusion the thinner disks wouldn't be any good dealing with the heat - and also the reduced caliper internal cavities would mean the calipers clamped down with much less pedal travel thus putting the car's brake bias out of balance.

Would be interested to know if this isn't the case..... ?

[Jamo]

Just helping out & passing the word to others who might be interested. Nothing gained or lost. I thought some here who didn't want too pay thru the nose for a brake upgrade might take some interest in this mod.
Pix of some of the parts(Disc and mounting bracket) as follows....

Hey mate i wasn't offended, i love the way when Americans sell something it's the best thing since sliced bread and why aint you beeen using it before!

It's an psychological art form!

[panzerwagen]

" the reduced caliper internal cavities would mean the calipers clamped down"...

.... much less pedal travel thus putting the car's brake bias out of balance."
Sorry Alistar to dispell that myth but I can tell you firsthand it does not. The brake bias unit that sits under the MC on my CQ has taken care of that. No problems at all. Brake
pedal travel is shortened but MAN is it smooth. I'm still breaking in the pads but the pedal feel is getting better & better. She stops shorter and faster than my OEM G60's.
The front end feels lighter(butt feeling?) Very nice mod I must say.

[Alistair C]

The brake bias unit that sits under the MC on my CQ has taken care of that.

I didn't think the bias units were self adjusting......

The other thread linked to above discussed this in better technical detail than I understand.

I only researched this because I was planning to do the conversion on my corrado (and rear calipers are MUCH cheaper - I saw some not sell on ebay for less than £100!)

[panzerwagen]

"I didn't think the bias units were self adjusting......"

From what I read in my Bentley Manual, they do somehow compensate. Hey I'm no brake expert but all I can say is that it's fantastic. Yes as I agree, the pedal was at first hard and short but I attribute it to new pads but as I have said before, as the pads get bedded in, the pedal travel & feeling gets better & better.

[NoNonsense]

From what I read in my Bentley Manual, they do somehow compensate. Hey I'm no brake expert but all I can say is that it's fantastic. Yes as I agree, the pedal was at first hard and short but I attribute it to new pads but as I have said before, as the pads get bedded in, the pedal travel & feeling gets better & better.

I knew you'd like that set-up! Glad to hear it worked out nice for you!

[panzerwagen]

Oh Man NoNonsense! You were right on the money....

but I know you'll flame me but I'm using PBR's in them. I was gonna use Mitex Reds but was talked out of it...grrrrrrrrrr! Think the PBR's are ok? The pedal is starting to give a little more after about 3 days of stop and start driving. Using ATE blue fluid too.

[NoNonsense]

but I know you'll flame me but I'm using PBR's in them. I was gonna use Mitex Reds but was talked out of it...grrrrrrrrrr! Think the PBR's are ok? The pedal is starting to give a little more after about 3 days of stop and start driving. Using ATE blue fluid too.

why flame you? PBR makes pretty nice pads (especially the metal master series). I personally don't like mintex, i had a set burn up at a track event once.
My favorite, though, very hard to find in the USA is Ferodo. They are wicked expensive...i just paid $235 for a set of front pads.
Good luck with your new set-up, they look good...Richard did a nice job for you there!

[BRY]

What thickness disc does this kit use?
Has anyone with the kit had it on a brake tesing machine and compared the front to rear braking ratio, and compared this to standard?

[Wizard-of-OD]

What thickness disc does this kit use?
Has anyone with the kit had it on a brake tesing machine and compared the front to rear braking ratio, and compared this to standard?

oh give me a break....the kit works.
You want it....you buy it.
You dont want it.....you dont buy it.Simple rule of thumb.

"brake testing machine"
ha!
I suppose you want him to do a g-force test next?