We offer conversion parts and packages for converting a 1302 or 1303 Beetle to Porsche 944 brakes:
From individual parts right up to the complete brake system, and of course for the Porsche itself.
We are also happy to carry out the conversion for you. Get in touch via our contact page for detailed advice.
944 floating caliper brake, front
No adapter is needed to fit a 944 floating caliper brake at the front of a 1302 or 1303.
We use the spindles with hub from the 944 up to 1986, as these already have a bore for the speedometer cable.
For the conversion, it is essential to fit the modern 1303 stamped steel control arms with the matching anti-roll bar, as used from 1973 onwards.
The ball joints are also replaced with larger ones to mount the 944 spindle.
To guarantee perfect function and fitment, we recommend using 944 brake hoses, camber correction bolts and longer tie rods.
Under ideal conditions, you would additionally fit coilover struts and/or uniball top mounts.
The brake sits wider than the original, so wheels with a higher offset (ET) are recommended.
944 floating caliper brake, rear: steel semi-trailing arms
At the rear too, the brake can be fitted without adapters and without modifications to the Beetle axle.
The 944 backing plate is mounted on the original Beetle semi-trailing arm.
The Beetle stub axle and wheel bearings are retained and do not necessarily have to be replaced.
The 944 hub and disc are mounted on the Beetle stub axle, the handbrake mechanism and brake caliper on the backing plate.
Only the Beetle handbrake cable is fitted using an adapter sleeve.
For this, one third of the spring is removed from the Beetle handbrake cable, the gooseneck in the mechanism is swapped, and the sleeve is placed between cable and backing plate.
With new cables, a second sleeve may need to be fitted to the chassis.
The brake sits 24 mm wider (per side) than the original drum, so wheels with a higher offset (ET) are recommended.
944 aluminum semi-trailing arms
The 944 aluminum semi-trailing arms can also be fitted to the Beetle with some effort.
For this, the 944 bearings must be pressed out and replaced with Beetle rubber bushings.
The spring plates are also replaced with 944 spring plates.
Beforehand, the inner rubber bushings must be removed and replaced with Beetle bushings, and the bolt heads milled down.
Note the different wheel hubs: there are two different widths.
The narrow hub is 45 mm and the wide hub 75 mm wider (per side) than the standard Beetle drum.
Accordingly, 944 axle shafts are also required.
The brake caliper, handbrake mechanism, hub and disc are mounted on the semi-trailing arm.
Apart from the brake discs, no different components are needed for floating or fixed calipers.
Master cylinder
The aluminum 944 master cylinder, as well as the steel variant, both available from us, come from production vehicles and are perfectly matched to the brakes.
The difference between the two variants is the material and the weight.
The Porsche aluminum master cylinder weighs just under 530 g, the steel variant a full 1,200 g.
It is important that the connections are reversed.
The front port goes to the rear axle, the rear port to the front axle.
When installing in a standard vehicle, the line to the rear axle must be extended at the master cylinder.
Questions? Give us a call!
Phone: +49 5771 9187088 (Mon–Fri 9 am–6 pm) · Email: office@knepper-bugs-more.de
