Front Caliper M030 or not ?

[J.C944TurboMan]

I have been servicing the front brakes , I have fitted braded hoses . May I ask , looking at the pic's are these Brembo calipers the M030 option ? They are very light . Thanks regards J.C

 

[DivineE]

I'm pretty sure not but the way I tell is the width of the disk and its hard to see in that pic. The M030 is about an inch thick. Normal brake disks were just normal width.

thats an M030 disk

 

[Neil Haughey]

Definitely look like it. They have the raised lettering and cooling fins around the script. What confuses ppl even more is that there are several Porsche calipers with similar dimensions i.e. take the same size pad and can be used like an M030, that strictly speaking are NOT M030 calipers.

 

[Copperman05]

They look like normal S2/Turbo calipers to me (the same as those on my s2 anyway), I thought M030 calipers mounted differently, radial?

Initially I too though I had M030 calipers on my S2, as the front too looked different to others I have seen, turns out they were reconditioned by the previous owner.

Edd

 

[rcsalmons]

99% sure they are not, are they radially mounted with cap heads or bolts through the back?

Rich

 

[Copperman05]

M030

M030 on left, big blacks in middle and standard turbo/S2/968 brakes on right.

Edd

 

[Neil Haughey]

Sorry my bad, I was just looking for the raised script and cooling fins as I thought the question was "is this an M030 or a medium black caliper".

 

[DivineE]

Ok while we're on the topic. You can 'just' fit the M030 callipers under the standard 16" turbo wheels on an early 944 but the lettering was so close to the spokes it actually rubbed the paint off the calliper on my car. The Big blacks are quoted as having the same width but would they still fit under the 16" wheels? Has anyone actually tried it?

p.s. just to confuse diagnosis further for different sizes my latest turbo has a set of replacement callipers fitted that are non M030 size but have smooth finish and printed lettering like the big reds/blacks. I think they were supplied by OPC too

 

[Neil Haughey]

Yes, it was Kevin Eacock that explained this to me and I had to look around on the net to confirm. Basically if you ring up Exeter OPC and ask them for a deal on medium black calipers you get a part from a 993 or 928 or something. The original M030 calipers were a motorsport part that you can't buy any more. Apart from the raised lettering and cooling fin/s are there any actual differences in performance? I don't know tbh as I haven't researched this closely enough.

 

[chrisg]

Looking at the calipers I would suggest they probably are M030, the simplest way to find out is to look at the shape of the pad.

A square shaped pad that is the same size as the rear pads = standard s2 & turbo front calipers.

A larger 'curved' pad = M030

C

 

[J.C944TurboMan]

Thank you all for your kind replies . The reason I wanted to know , As you can see from the pic's they are looking very tired and could do with new bleed nipples and cross over pipes and some powder coating . I was not sure if it was worth restoring these calipers or opt for some better ones ! I was also looking to replace the standard brake disc's for a pair of cross drilled and maybe grooved disc's . Thanks best regards J.C

 

[chrisg]

JC 944turboman, as a suggestion, I would stick with the standard vented disks for the front of the car. I ran some cross-drilled disks for a while whilst doing trackdays and they warped/ little cracks from the cross drilling.

IMHO, the M030 brakes with decent fluid (e.g. AP600), stainless hoses(which you already have...) and uprated pads e.g. Mintex 1155/65 should be plenty of braking even for the most enthusiastic driver on a trackday. If after 3-4 hot laps the brakes do start to fade, just have 1-2 cooling down laps

 

[J.C944TurboMan]

Thanks for the tips Chris . I have never been on track with my 944T but I do fancy going that way . The 944T has had some engine mods along the way and it is way to fast for road use now ! ie upgrading the bakes , cos it feels like it needs a parachute to stop it now ! []

 

[sulzeruk]

Calipers are bog stock S2/Turbo ones. M030 stuff was mounted radially. Disks were anout 32 mm thick for the M030 stuff too I think, also bigger diameter at 304mm.
Alasdair

 

[GTH9]

I need to re-paint mine, they were refurbed when i bought the car just not re-painted.

My refurbed wheels will be ready soon so want them looking nice - can i repaint them whilst on the car?

 

[Frenchy]

GTH yes you can i have just done mine, clean and degrease them, mask the Porsche lettering with a just wide enough strip of masking tape before spraying.
The Porsche lettering can be cleaned up with rough them smooth grades of carbide paper before spraying, mask adjacent areas then i use satin bleck numerous light coats, faffing around with other things between coats.
A reasonably warm 10oC plus is ideal and no wind if outside (grit and dust) finally a coat of clear lacquer after the Porsche lettering masking has been removed and jobs a good un, mine look like brand new.
Do not rush between coats and light coats only or you will get runs.
HTH Jim.