TheSamba.com :: View topic - How big of a difference are disc brakes over drums?

Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:23 am

Lately Ive had a little extra money that ive debated on sway bars, heated seats or disc brakes. Do disc brakes make a huge difference people make them out to be? Are these a decent disc brake conversion? http://www.cip1.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4123
Id like to get them locally but If really needed I can order them from topline.
Are you satisfied with your disc brakes? Its hard to pick upgrades when your a poor student.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:40 am

I completely overhauled my brake system last winter, leaving it stock. I almost had an accident because of a panic stop with the drm brakes. Oh, the leg pressure to get it to stop.

During the summer I decided to install lowered spindles, and add disk brakes. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! If I lay on the brakes now like I did with the drums, I just might end up with my face plastered to the windshield.
I love my disk brakes!!!

If I was upgrading one of those items, I'd think SAFETY and go with the brakes.

My kit was made by AC Industries and sold by SoCal Imports.

Here are the kits for your 73 Super....

http://www.socalautoparts.com/Catalog/CatalogResults.aspx

Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:37 am

Completely worth it. One of the best things I ever did for the old bug.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:04 am

We just converted our 74 super to disc and oh what a difference!

Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:46 am

I hope someone can give you a review of the cip kit, because I have been loking at this kit as well. For those of us up in Canada it's one of the only suppliers that we do not pay duty etc. on.

James

Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:47 am

night and freekin day :D

Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:06 am

yup, should be #1 upgrade to any bug that will be driven on the road. I will not replace the drum brakes on any of my bugs. They will ALL get disc.
I just get the rebuilt disc brake spindles and a disc brake completer kit from Cip1.com. Then you have ghia brakes basically. read the whole add so you get the right brake lines. I didn't on my first set.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:06 pm

I upgraded both my 69 and 72 to ghia discs. I also moved the front wheel cylinders to the rear to up the braking problem there as well. Man what a differece! All I have to do is tap the brakes hard and it will put my face on the windshield.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:55 pm

whutdidyousay wrote: yup, should be #1 upgrade to any bug that will be driven on the road. I will not replace the drum brakes on any of my bugs. They will ALL get disc.
I just get the rebuilt disc brake spindles and a disc brake completer kit from Cip1.com. Then you have ghia brakes basically. read the whole add so you get the right brake lines. I didn't on my first set.

What is the quality like of these CIP1 brakes?

Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:58 pm

mack519 wrote: whutdidyousay wrote: yup, should be #1 upgrade to any bug that will be driven on the road. I will not replace the drum brakes on any of my bugs. They will ALL get disc.
I just get the rebuilt disc brake spindles and a disc brake completer kit from Cip1.com. Then you have ghia brakes basically. read the whole add so you get the right brake lines. I didn't on my first set.

What is the quality like of these CIP1 brakes?
They are the standard replacement ghia disc brakes, so good quality. That is why I use rebuilt spindles. I don't trust aftermarket parts if brakes are involved.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:17 pm

I upgraded my 71 Super to disc brakes, one of the best things I have done to it, no complaints.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:34 pm

whutdidyousay wrote: mack519 wrote: whutdidyousay wrote: yup, should be #1 upgrade to any bug that will be driven on the road. I will not replace the drum brakes on any of my bugs. They will ALL get disc.
I just get the rebuilt disc brake spindles and a disc brake completer kit from Cip1.com. Then you have ghia brakes basically. read the whole add so you get the right brake lines. I didn't on my first set.

What is the quality like of these CIP1 brakes?
They are the standard replacement ghia disc brakes, so good quality. That is why I use rebuilt spindles. I don't trust aftermarket parts if brakes are involved.

Why did ghias get disc brakes anyway? Are they heavier?

Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:46 pm

Quote: Are they heavier?
Yes they are heavier and pan is slightly wider.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:47 pm

mack519 wrote: whutdidyousay wrote: mack519 wrote: whutdidyousay wrote: yup, should be #1 upgrade to any bug that will be driven on the road. I will not replace the drum brakes on any of my bugs. They will ALL get disc.
I just get the rebuilt disc brake spindles and a disc brake completer kit from Cip1.com. Then you have ghia brakes basically. read the whole add so you get the right brake lines. I didn't on my first set.

What is the quality like of these CIP1 brakes?
They are the standard replacement ghia disc brakes, so good quality. That is why I use rebuilt spindles. I don't trust aftermarket parts if brakes are involved.

Why did ghias get disc brakes anyway? Are they heavier?

The Ghia is considered to be a sportier, more aerodynamic car than the Beetle, hence one reason for disc brakes. I think you people putting 4 disc all the way around on a stock setup are dumping your money down the drain. For a Beetle, a properly adjusted braking setup will lock all four wheels just fine.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:53 pm

locking the wheels is NOT the point. You add disc brakes so you can control to the pressure of the front system. A skidding car is not controllable in an emergency situation.
Hell I could lock up all 4 wheels on a bug with a steel pole, but you don't see anyone doing that.
I do agree that it is a waste to put discs in the rear.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:57 pm

if your like me and like to drive fast and have more then stock or a realy good stock car put brakes on it over seas most of them had dis brakes from factory it does help with stoppin :lol:

Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:01 pm

whutdidyousay wrote: locking the wheels is NOT the point. You add disc brakes so you can control to the pressure of the front system. A skidding car is not controllable in an emergency situation.
Hell I could lock up all 4 wheels on a bug with a steel pole, but you don't see anyone doing that.
I do agree that it is a waste to put discs in the rear. Disc brakes provide quicker stopping power. Pressure isn't part of the equation :roll:

Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:04 pm

really? funny that wasn't covered in class :wink:
simple math... the faster stopping power is due to being able to apply the pressure more gradually to slow the wheels faster without a lockup sitution.

Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:56 pm

Front discs are the best thing I ever did for my Bug. I wonder how I ever got along without them. They also don't fade when I'm driving in the mountains like the drums always did.

EDIT: I have the CB Wide-5 kit. Had to grind .010" off the driver's side caliper because it rubbed. Otherwise, it went on easily.

Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:29 am

I used one of the disk brake conversion kits from aircooled.net. Everything was included. Makes a huge difference. HUGE!