Porsche 718 Brake Upgrade: Solving Heat Fade for Track Dominance
The Porsche 718 platform is widely considered the benchmark for mid-engine precision. However, if you track your Cayman or Boxster, you are likely familiar with its primary weakness: heat management. Mid-engine layouts are notorious for trapping heat, and during long, grueling sessions, this often results in brake fade—that sinking feeling when the pedal goes soft right when you need it most.
We didn't just want to claim our brakes are better; we wanted to prove it under fire. We took our fully-prepped 718 (built by 8090 Racing) to the GIC Super Track Festival. The mission was simple: survive a one-hour endurance race immediately following a time-attack qualifier, and prove our system is truly fade-proof.
🏆 The Result: A Masterclass in Consistency
Endurance racing is an equipment torture test. At the start, our drivers settled into P2 and P3. As the race wore on, competitors began to struggle with heat soak and fading stopping power. This is where our engineering advantage kicked in.
Because our system effectively managed the thermal spike, our braking performance remained linear and consistent from Lap 1 to the checkered flag. Our drivers could brake deeper and later than the competition, eventually closing the gap to secure a 1st place victory.
🛠️ The Tech That Won the Race: EMB6 & ES4 Kit
Post-race feedback from the driver confirmed the telemetry data: "Outstanding. Virtually no fade, and a firm, confident pedal that felt on par with top-tier European motorsport brands."
Here is the specific hardware configuration that delivered that performance:
Front: Mono Series “EMB6” 6-Piston Monoblock Caliper
The EMB6 is CNC-machined from a single piece of forged aluminum (Monoblock), providing the stiffness required for immediate pedal response. However, the key to winning the endurance race was our thermal engineering:
- Vented Stainless Steel Pistons: Unlike standard aluminum pistons, stainless steel has lower thermal conductivity. This acts as a firewall, slowing heat transfer to your brake fluid.
- Massive Clamping Force: The 6-piston design features a total piston area of 54.95 cm² (8.52 in²). This provides immense torque while remaining compatible with the 718’s factory master cylinder.
Rear: Evolution Series “ES4” 4-Piston Caliper
A common mistake in mid-engine upgrades is ignoring the rear brakes. To maintain the 718's legendary balance, we paired the front with our ES4 rear caliper.
- Perfect Brake Bias: With a piston area of 28.38 cm² (4.40 in²), the ES4 ensures the car rotates correctly under trail-braking without locking the rear wheels—vital for stability in high-speed corners.
- Lightweight Architecture: The skeletonized design reduces unsprung weight, helping the suspension react faster over curbs and imperfections.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding 718 Upgrades
1. Will this brake kit upset the 718's factory brake bias?
No. We specifically engineered the piston surface area ratios (Front: 54.95 cm² / Rear: 28.38 cm²) to mimic the factory hydraulic bias. This ensures your ABS system functions correctly and the car maintains its neutral, balanced handling characteristics on track.
2. What wheel sizes are required for this kit?
The EMB6 (Front) and ES4 (Rear) calipers are compact monoblock designs. They are engineered to fit behind most aftermarket 18-inch track wheels (like the ones used in our race win) and all standard 19-inch and 20-inch OEM wheels. We always recommend using our fitment template to confirm clearance before purchasing.
3. Do I need to change my master cylinder?
No. The fluid displacement of our calipers is calculated to work perfectly with the OEM Porsche 718 master cylinder. You will achieve a firmer, more communicative pedal feel without the long travel often associated with oversized big brake kits.
Upgrade Your 718's Biggest Weakness
Stop cooking your stock brakes. Get the same fade-free, confidence-inspiring performance that won the GIC Endurance Race.