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Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:39 pm

Anyone running the Rhein 15" wheels with a big brake kit (front)?If so what kit and did you have any fit issues?

I believe the Rheins that are currently available are a SA clone is this correct? I purchased mine a few years ago as I liked the style AND they would fit with the big brake kit I was interested in.

Bigger front brakes are one of my next upgrades. Hoping there is a good kit on the market that fits with the Rheins.

Thank you.

Wed Oct 15, 2014 6:55 pm

I purchase the Audi based big brake kit and Rheins 15 inch wheels 4 years ago from Van Cafe and they fit fine. Have seen on here that various people say they don't fit. Not sure if the rotors got bigger. Call Peter at Van Cafe, he will know.

Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:32 pm

syncro2x wrote: I purchase the Audi based big brake kit and Rheins 15 inch wheels 4 years ago from Van Cafe and they fit fine.

Same here, did it in 2008.

Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:34 pm

There's some information here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=590352

and here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=599336

Both threads indicate that an Audi conversion may be your best bet. No kits are currently available from the regular vendors to my knowledge - as a Rhein lover I hope to be wrong about this, however. I did confirm this with Van Cafe a couple of months ago.

Cheers

Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:37 pm

This is the same kit previously offered by VC that will work with Rheins.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Upgrade-Kit-Front-Eurospec-1986-1992-VW-Vanagon-T3-/301210641852

If you can find a set of the South African big brakes, they will fit too.

Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:51 am

theadventureneverends wrote: I believe the Rheins that are currently available are a SA clone is this correct?

http://burleysmotorsports.com/index.php?main_page=...97l9c8c0m7
"We are proud to announce our new 15'' Rhein wheels , these are high quality new rims made in the USA."

The following post gets the prize for most useful real time info on a very confusing subject. Well Done!
Altoona wrote: This is the same kit previously offered by VC that will work with Rheins.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Upgrade-Kit-Front-Eurospec-1986-1992-VW-Vanagon-T3-/301210641852

If you can find a set of the South African big brakes, they will fit too.

I spoke to VanCafe in May 2014, and was told that NO the current GoWesty Bigger Brakes do NOT fit Rhein wheels.

I strongly recommend contacting Van Cafe and Go Westy and Burleysmotorsports.com DIRECTLY for a complete info base.

Thu Oct 16, 2014 2:12 pm

It would be very nice to have one of the regular vendors *cough* Van Cafe *cough* that now sell Rheins, also start offering compatible brake upgrade packages, replacement parts and support. This would be preferable 8 days a week over eBay.

Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:33 pm

Eurospec does have a regular website, not just an ebay shop front. I'm likely to get their big brake kit since I have Rheins.

http://www.eurospecsport.com/products/brakes/performance-brakes.htm

Thu Oct 16, 2014 4:54 pm

Be very careful when only specifying "Audi based big brake kits", as there are two extremely different but very popular audi based kits.
The CURRENT Vancafe kit is based on an Audi G54 single piston caliper and a custom adapted carrier supplied by eurospec.
Their previous kit, which is the same as what most people these days refer to as "The small car kit" (as small car still sells it...) is an Audi G60 dual piston caliper setup with a modified stock G60 caliper carrier.
The fitment of wheels between the two different brake kits is very different.

So for instance, I have SA 15'' steel wheels, which do NOT fit over G60 brakes, but may fit over G54 brakes.
Simply stating "The audi based kit" is a problem waiting to happen, for someone.....

Thu Oct 16, 2014 5:02 pm

Phishman068 wrote: Be very careful when only specifying "Audi based big brake kits", as there are two extremely different but very popular audi based kits.
The CURRENT Vancafe kit is based on an Audi G54 single piston caliper and a custom adapted carrier supplied by eurospec.
Their previous kit, which is the same as what most people these days refer to as "The small car kit" (as small car still sells it...) is an Audi G60 dual piston caliper setup with a modified stock G60 caliper carrier.
The fitment of wheels between the two different brake kits is very different.

So for instance, I have SA 15'' steel wheels, which do NOT fit over G60 brakes, but may fit over G54 brakes.
Simply stating "The audi based kit" is a problem waiting to happen, for someone.....

Thanks for this info, I didn't know this, now I need to look at my van to see which one of VanCafe's Audi-based big brake kits I have. What I do know is that CURRENTLY (as off today) VanCafe is not selling an Audi-based big brake kit. Are we confused now?

Thu Oct 16, 2014 5:31 pm

Phishman068 wrote: Be very careful when only specifying "Audi based big brake kits", as there are two extremely different but very popular audi based kits.
The CURRENT Vancafe kit is based on an Audi G54 single piston caliper and a custom adapted carrier supplied by eurospec.
Their previous kit, which is the same as what most people these days refer to as "The small car kit" (as small car still sells it...) is an Audi G60 dual piston caliper setup with a modified stock G60 caliper carrier.
The fitment of wheels between the two different brake kits is very different.

So for instance, I have SA 15'' steel wheels, which do NOT fit over G60 brakes, but may fit over G54 brakes.
Simply stating "The audi based kit" is a problem waiting to happen, for someone.....

Not to be picky, but the Eurospec/Van Cafe kit uses the G57 calipers, not the G54.

Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:06 pm

This is the current kit listed for sale on the VanCafe website (it comes from GoWesty)
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_2125_629/gowesty_big_brake_kit.html
if you read the link(s) you will see:
"Vented rotors (284mm)"
"this kit will NOT work with German Mefro brand 15" steel wheels, European OEM Syncro-16 steel wheels, Rhein wheels, and some other non-VW wheels. "

this is the current eurospec kit
http://www.eurospecsport.com/products/brakes/performance-brakes.htm
"288mm front rotors"

Here is the current small car kit
Vanagon 2WD 11" dual piston front disc brake upgrade 86-91
http://www.smallcar.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29928
Our kit uses US model VW-Audi vehicle calipers and rotors so replacement parts are available now and should be available well into the future. With the installation of these 11" (Siri says thats 279 mm) vented discs with dual piston calipers

as you can see, VanCafe is NOT currently selling the Eurospec kit, they are selling the GoWesty kit. Each of those uses a different sized Rotor. The small car kit is different from both Eurospec and GoWesty and uses yet again a DIFFERENT SIZED ROTOR

Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:38 pm

Small car seems the best bet for fitting more wheels. Here is an interesting option if you want to go bigger.
Northwesty sells a syncro 16" kit with 312mm rotors.
http://www.kirkmeeks.com/syncro_store

(edit) what I said about SC fitting the most wheels isprobably wrong. From reading more it appears the smallest are the GW, then Audi eurospec, then SC.

Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:10 pm

http://www.smallcar.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29928

Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:55 pm

davevickery wrote: Northwesty
http://www.kirkmeeks.com/syncro_store
thanks for the link
" 288mm vented rotors for the Syncro 14"

That seems the same as the current Eurospec kit

The OP has a 14" 2wd with Rheins.

Do Northwesty big brakes fit 2wd vans with Rheins?

Love My Westy wrote: http://www.smallcar.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29928

Has anyone confirmed with Smallcar that their big brakes fit 2wd vans with Rheins? That would be a happy ending.

Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:54 am

Altoona wrote: This is the same kit previously offered by VC that will work with Rheins.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Upgrade-Kit-Front-Eurospec-1986-1992-VW-Vanagon-T3-/301210641852

If you can find a set of the South African big brakes, they will fit too.

I emailed Eurospec and asked if they would fit 15" Rhein wheels. Here is their response.

"New message from: eurospecsport (500Purple Star)

No, the Rhein wheels will not work with this kit.

Bruce"

:(

Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:38 am

dobryan wrote: Altoona wrote: This is the same kit previously offered by VC that will work with Rheins.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Upgrade-Kit-Front-Eurospec-1986-1992-VW-Vanagon-T3-/301210641852

If you can find a set of the South African big brakes, they will fit too.

I emailed Eurospec and asked if they would fit 15" Rhein wheels. Here is their response.

"New message from: eurospecsport (500Purple Star)

No, the Rhein wheels will not work with this kit.

Bruce"

:(

Hmmm, that conflicts with my memory, but that's not saying much. I wonder if I can find a Rhein to test on my vehicle.

Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:55 am

Altoona wrote: dobryan wrote: Altoona wrote: This is the same kit previously offered by VC that will work with Rheins.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Upgrade-Kit-Front-Eurospec-1986-1992-VW-Vanagon-T3-/301210641852

If you can find a set of the South African big brakes, they will fit too.

I emailed Eurospec and asked if they would fit 15" Rhein wheels. Here is their response.

"New message from: eurospecsport (500Purple Star)

No, the Rhein wheels will not work with this kit.

Bruce"

:(

Hmmm, that conflicts with my memory, but that's not saying much. I wonder if I can find a Rhein to test on my vehicle.

If you have got this brake setup can you tell me what the inside clear diameter is on your wheels and then the clearance to the caliper? I can measure the inside of my Rheins to compare with that data. :D

Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:25 pm

Is anyone running the current Small Car front big brake kit with Rheins?

http://www.smallcar.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29928

I want to upgrade the front brakes in a couple of months and need to fit my 15" Rhein rims around them?

I 'think' they should fit as I have just a hair over 13 inches of inside diameter on the Rheins, but it will be close.

I called Small Car and they have no direct experience with the Rheins and their kit. They actually said to try posting on the samba. :lol:

Thanks! :D

Tue Feb 17, 2015 3:30 pm

I am running Rheins with S.A. big brake package.