Project Boxster R - Part 4

Bigger rotors provide greater thermal capacity for a single use and more surface area to shed heat between uses. More rigid calipers reduce deflection under load, enhancing brake pedal feel. Unlike a front-only big-brake upgrade, this system divides the increase in braking capacity between front and rear axles, taking advantage of the Boxster's rear-mid-engine weight bias and low center of mass. Be warned, however, that this kit, because it was engineered for the street, may still require more aggressive pads to perform well under full-on racetrack use.

Performance Products sources these parts from Race Technologies, an independent distributor of Brembo products that works closely with Brembo. The kit includes everything required to bolt Boxster S brakes on an ordinary Boxster: calipers, rotors, front and rear pads, DOT-approved stainless-steel braided brake lines, all necessary shoes, retainers, springs, bearings, mounting plates and fasteners. Thus, installation was a simple remove and reinstall procedure, followed by careful bleeding. Be sure to follow correct procedures for bleeding the ABS.

I have the rather odd limited experience of having leaned on a factory Boxster S, but not the Boxster. That said, the Boxster S brakes provide all the reassuring feedback and certainty of stopping ability one could want, even on a race track. Whenever and wherever, they yanked the heavy car down from speed, time and time again. At one point, Rhys Millen took ec's long-term Boxster S around The Streets of Willow Springs and was quite complimentary. Les whined voluminously that his Boxster-pre-"R"-did not approach that performance.

Thankfully, there will be fewer excuses for our Senior Editor to be grumpy in the future. As Porsche's Boxster ad said, the more kids you have, the more practical it becomes. We'll soon know whether Les' diversion of funds from his therapist bill was successful.