Quote by Brembo:
The floating disc mounting system, due to the aluminium alloy hat, reduces the “unsprung” weight for better handling and reduces heat-related stress; increases brake performance and pedal feel: the mounting system is designed to allow a specific amount of float in both radial and axial directions. Brembo has engineered special springs that are used on every other fastener in order to slightly preload the assembly. This has been done to prevent excessive noise from the system during street use. The one-piece discs are specifically designed in the goose-neck area to minimize thermal distortion and thus disc warping under severe use conditions. The one-piece discs provide excellent stopping power ranging from everyday traffic conditions to more spirited high performance driving, and fit into the budget of any enthusiast.
My thoughts:
As you may know, the std Porsche steel brakes are 1-piece, and the PCCB are 2-piece plus the front calipers are 6-piston.
Many people have not taken the PCCB option because of the exorbitant cost of the replacement ceramic floating discs and ceramic pads.
But, the PCCB option may not be a bad idea afterall because, once the ceramic discs have worn out, I think one could get
steel
floating discs and attach them to the existing aluminium alloy hats; appropriate pads for the front 6 piston and rear 4 piston yellow calipers. Maybe Brembo has these sizes in steel available. :crazy:
Rocket - As far as I know, the regular steel rotors are a different thickness than the ceramic rotors. I know for sure you can't use the ceramics with the red calipers, but I'm not sure if it's the other way around - but be aware that it might not be a direct swap.
brad
I read that the ceramic composite brake rotors are extremely wear resistant. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on how long they last in relative to cast iron rotors?
GB - They're supposed to last up to 100k miles according to some Porsche statements I've read, but the the jury is still out on how long they'll last if you track and/or autocross the car. They were using them (2nd gen PCCB) in Europe this last season on the Cup cars, and I heard they were going through a set in one or two races. While you pay $8k to get the entire set when you order the car, to replace them currently costs about $6k per wheel - so I don't know anyone who is using them on cars they regularly use in competition events. And, this seems to be one of those cases where Porsche will not warranty the ceramic rotors if they suspect you've been tracking the car - there's been quite a few warranty claims denied.
brad
That's insane....! I was under the impression that the track was the only place you might even appreciate the benefits of PCCB. To spend $8K for 'track brakes' and then be denied warranty on them would send me over the edge.
Take that feature off my wish list (not that it was on there in the first place, simply because of price).
Yes, it's one of the true dichotomies of the Porsche on the track/warranty claims dilemma. When the 1st gen came out a lot of folks got them on their GT3s, then tore them up after one or two track days - they were basically disintegrating in big chunks... everyone then replaced them with the steel rotors, and if you bought one with the PCCBs, you took off the ceramic rotors immediately if you tracked the car. There's been great debate about whether or not the 2nd gen are better, and the the consensus I read is - yes, better, but I'm also not sure I want to spend that much extra for them in the first place, then place another $24k bet by tracking the car. I would probably have gotten them if I was never going to put the car into a competitive event.
The people I've talked to who would be good enough on the track to know the difference say there really is very little difference if any. The steel brakes are really very good.
brad
Just want to share my dialogue with Dave Murray this past summer at Watkins Glen. He was instructor a client with a 997 C2S with PCCB.
That was my dream car and I was drooling all over the place. C2S guy said 25 track days already without problem, and Dave confirmed that the 2nd generation fixed the cracking problem.
