Porsche 996 TT Brakes on a C2 - Not a debate... by Purplxd

9 minute read

Porsche 996 TT Brakes on a C2 - Not a debate... 

Compliments of Purplxd @ 6speedonline.com

11-27-2008

Hi all,

I've got a full set of 996 TT brakes in hand with rotors, lines, calipers, pads, etc. I also have an '01 C2.

Now I've done the searching, but all the threads turn into debates on this kit and that kit.

I'm wondering if anyone here has actually done the upgrade. I understand that hubs/bearings/wheel mounts are required to do the fronts and the rears should be a direct bolt on.

Can someone that has actually done it confirm how they made it work and what was all needed?

Also, did the stock C2 suspension still fit after the hubs were changed?

11-30-2008

That is the plan... wheel carriers and a MC and I'm set to go. As to the wheels I'm putting on 19" so no worries on clearance.

I think there is a lack of response as well due to the fact that a lot of people don't take on much DIY with a Porsche and rather have a shop do it. Shops will usually push more new bolt on kits than custom swaps from different models, so its obviously a rare way. Perhaps if I write up a good DIY with costs, more people will be into it!

I've been around the building of cars from the ground up since I was born so taking apart a Porsche is just like any other car for me. In fact, they are even more simple than a lot of the cars I've worked on which is nice.

12-3-2008

Here it is now:

http://emeraldapple.com/Emerald_Appl...ero_Kit.html#1

I'll be updating pics once I get all the work done for the spring.

Luckily the word is that all I need to replace is the MC. The original ABS pump in the C2 is more than fine.

So in total you need to source calipers, rotors, brake lines, MC from a C4S, and wheel carriers/hubs from a Turbo.

I've sourced the carriers/hubs and the MC and will get a total price tomorrow. I'm assuming it will be in the $1k range for everything which would put me $1,600 all in for all the parts to install the upgrade. Labor not included as I'm doing the work.

With the pace of things, I'll probably be doing all of my installation work in January. Pics and such to follow....

12-4-2008

So far, verdict isn't out yet though.

Cheapest I've seen is the 993 TT fronts for around $2100 as posted before but that's only the fronts. The gain in the rears on a 996 TT setup are probably nominal but you'd be sporting reds at least.

Either way, front and rears would be cheaper than just fronts new. Although it is used, etc, etc.... loads of arguments against the idea of course.

If it works out it would be nice to put a DIY up as I've seen LOTS of people ask. At least now anyone who wants to try it will know how and costs to make it happen.

If you do it next year, you'll have an experienced hand to help at least.

Not technically. I'm not 100% on the pedal feel or braking power, and I intend on doing some HP increases as well with the car so the correct order is to make sure it stops before I go down that path.

I've done new rotors, Pagid pads, and race fluids as well and it did make a difference for sure, but I still don't really like the pedal feel or braking. I also drive in a city with horrible drivers so if I'm playing with it a bit, I sometimes need to stop very fast to avoid accidents.

Before I do the swap I want to take the car to a flat surface and do some braking tests. Then I want to do the same after to see the statistical difference. I'm sure some will just be "I'm happy with my big red calipers and all the work", so I'll try to keep that out of it.

Another part of doing it now is I'm doing suspension upgrades, wheels and tires, etc, etc. If I'm going to do the brakes, now is the time as I'd like to pay the $400 once on the corner balance! Yes, doing brakes don't cause the need for an alignment, but in this case with doing wheel carriers, etc then I'd like to have one done after.

Its the age old "while I'm in there" increasing my project budget... I'm a Project Manager and I know I'm creeping my own scope. Since its the P-car improvements I'm okay with it.

12-10-2008

Hi all,

So here is my total costs on the upgrade:

Full 996 TT brakes with rotors, pads, calipers, and lines: $600
Front L/R Wheel Carriers and Hubs complete: $800
Master Cylinder from C4S: $323 (went with a new one, used is $250)
Front bearings (optional, but while they are off...): $62.84 each (x2)

So the total of all parts to do this upgrade is: $1,848.68

You can reduce costs by going used on the MC and trusting the bearings that come with the wheel carriers, but...

Project to start probably in January unless I get some time between now and the holidays. With the new house and all the tasks from the wife, I doubt it, but we'll see.

3-15-2009

I'm invested just over $1800 and that's with new bearings in the carriers and a new master cylinder... will be doing the work next month and will post a DIY on my blog.

6-10-2009

Tada! Well part of it...

More at:  http://emeraldapple.wordpress.com

6-21-2009

To conclude on the weight changes to the car with all the changes... http://emeraldapple.wordpress.com

-----

Hi all,

So I have never been able to find documented proof of the weight changes, etc with this upgrade. So I'm going to weigh all the parts that come off and go on as part of the project and I'll also include the weight of other things I've done to see the total net increase or decrease from my modifications.

Turbo Brake Components and H&R Suspension

Front Calipers with Pads - 10.5 lbs each
Rear Calipers with Pads - 8.25 lbs each
Wheel Carriers with hub and bearings - 21 lbs each
Front Rotors - 22 lbs each
Rear Rotors - 18.5 lbs each
Front H&R Coil Overs with Turbo Camber Plates - 12 lbs each
Rear H&R Coil Overs - 10.25 lbs each
19" 997 C2S Wheels Front with 235/35/19 Tires - 43.5 lbs each
19" 997 C2S Wheels Rear with 295/30/19 Tires - 56.5 lbs each

Stock Carrera 2 Components and Stock Suspension

Front Calipers with Pads - 8.75 lbs each
Rear Calipers with Pads - 6.5 lbs each
Wheel Carriers with hub and bearings - 13.5 lbs each
Front Rotors - 19 lbs each
Rear Rotors - 14 lbs each
Front Stock Strut - 11 lbs each
Rear Stock Strut - 10 lbs each
Stock 18" Sport Design Wheels Front with 225/40/18 Tires - 42 lbs each
Stock 18" Sport Design Wheels Rear with 265/35/18 Tires - 50.5 lbs each

Interior

Stock Sport Seats (removed) - 42 lbs each
Euro GT3 Seats with Rails and Sub bar(added) - 28.6 lbs each
Tequipment Roll Bar - 28 lbs

Conclusions

Component Weight Prior: 434.5 lbs
Component Weight Post: 461.6 lbs
Total Gain/Loss: +27.1 lbs

Weight gain per front corner: 109lbs (Post) - 94.25lbs (Pre) = +14.75lbs
Weight gain per rear corner: 93.5lbs (Post) - 81lbs (Pre) = +12.5 lbs

Not sure yet... have to wait for it to get its full alignment and then road test it to see how I like the changes.

There is a cool factor to having the larger rotors and calipers in the 19" wheels for sure. If there is no performance gain, or even degradation, then in that perspective it wasn't "worth it".

However, I won't know until I get it on the road. For an ~$1,800 investment, I'm not upset at all so far. Overall it's only a 27.1 lbs increase to the car and a lot of that was from the wheel change. Some of that can also be saved by removing the spare tire.

Now the unsprung weight increase is another story...

I'll update after my first road test.

Some pictures of the rear posted...

http://emeraldapple.wordpress.com/20...sion-work-too/

Yup, same as a Turbo weight.

Although, 6 pounds per corner rear and 1.5 per corner front was just from changing the wheels and tires to 19" alone. Coilovers also weigh more... depending on how you calculate unsprung weight, you may not include the change in coilover or wheels/tires itself.

If you look at it that way, just brakes and wheel carriers its:

- Front - 53.5lbs post - 41.25lbs pre = 12.25 front each
- Rear - 26.75lbs post - 20.5lbs pre = 6.25 rear each

I guess you could flame me for doing the "upgrade" but no one else has done it, or if they did they have never documented it. So at least the answer is yes it can be done, this is how it can be done, and this is the math result. The additional front weight bias might actually not be a bad thing in a C2...

Let's be honest... bigger rotors, bigger calipers, did anyone seriously think there would be a weight loss??