The Official 356Talk Forum

So, I have Porsche space saver wheels for my 356b but obviously that means using Porsche stud patterns. I know CSP and Airkewld do a 5 x 130 front kit but neither do a rear kit in 5 x 130 (Airkewld have stopped doing rear brakes for 356's at all).

So, is my only option to use wheel adaptors on the rear? what do you guys do?

Put disks on the rear (like a C car).

Thought about that but not sure what components you need or if they are even available?

I didn't mean my answer to sound like a wise crack, David. Within the Resources section here there may be an article on how this is done.

When Bob Grigsby did the restoration, in the early '90's, on what is now my car, he did a full four-wheel disk brake conversion. The front and rear calipers and disks are all the same on my car.

For the rest of of the conversion you'll need to get familiar with the parts catalog and talk with some of our recycling venders like Jim at EASY. Others here will hopefully chime in to give advice.

You haven't indicated your location in your Profile which can point others here that may be in your area to provide better assistance.

I am just outside Philly and thanks for your input. Wasn't taken as a wisecrack!

Is it possible to convert a 356b to 356c rear brakes? Has anyone done it?

Hi David,
I am commenting here to stir the pot a bit and encourage some enthusiastic opinions.

If my 2133cc doesn't need disc brakes on the street your car doesn't either! Besides, your car is too nicely stock to do that. There aren't too many good stock looking T5s so with the condition of your car and the black/tan color combo you ought not do much to change it. Leave the drums!

Back to the merits...C brakes are put onto earlier cars all the time. My '55 has them as do all the SVRA CP class 356s. They do have a drum class but the drum systems require a lot of expensive maintenance on a race car. Street cars don't have the same problem since the drum brakes are so lightly stressed on the street.

I have never used the aftermarket disc conversion kits because they look like junk to me. Maybe they are great but the way that they make the rotor work with a wide five wheel makes for a massively heavy rotor/hub assembly. The other components with these systems look low dollar as well. They may work fine but if I had to have disc brakes I would install a complete 4 wheel system from a C.

Save your money!

Cliff

CJ
Have you considered Annular?
j

Jacques Lefriant wrote:Have you considered Annular?

My doctor says I only need that inspected every 5 years.

Maybe if David sold his car he would have enough money to buy an annular set-up?

Cliff, for someone who has so many great cars I am amazed you like mine so much.

I am a bit of a wheel whore and love the look of your green car. All I am looking to do is find a way of putting my Porsche space savers on my car and make it reversible back to stock. I guess 356c brakes is the way to go?

You already talked me out of properly outlawing it!! I just want funky wheels... pleeeeease!!

So, CJ, what components do I need and do I have ANY chance of finding them?

Usually there are some floating around for sale. For the front you need everything outside of the trailing arms and for the rear you need everything outside of the swing axle and tube. Expect to pay a lot. It's cheaper to sell the space savers and buy a set of the wheels that I have. Also easier to reverse.

You need a junker 356 to Outlaw like you did to your squareback.

LOL, you can see from the squareback that I am not good at "leaving things alone"

So I am on the search for at least a set of rears from a 356c !

Put an ad in Classified section. I just received C brakes from a great member who communicated freely with me. The parts ARE still out there and prices vary widely with what you get. It is a lot of work but think how much more you will learn about your 356 doing this project. Compare carefully, do your homework and take the plunge. FWIW, it is NOT cheap but we are talking 356!
Conrad