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TheFop
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 302
Location: Auckland - New Zealand
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 Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:24 pm Post subject: EMPI drop spindle and disc kits |
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Hi Folks,
I'm just putting my front suspension back together on my RHD 61 and was debating about drop spindles as I didn't want to mess with my beam.
Reading some other posts someone mentioned a drop spindle and disc brake kit which is pretty damned cheap but its EMPI, I'm likely to be running a 1600cc which makes me nervous about running drums and to drop it and have discs for $400 sounds to good to be true...saves me cutting my beam up and buying a 1200cc.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C13-22-2925
Has anyone used one of these and whats the experience, I hear that EMPI isn't what it used to be and I've heard rumours of snapped of spindles and nightmares trying to fit cheap disc kits.
Oh yes, I'm going to be running stock steels on standard tires and will be only taking it easy in the car.....not racing it.
_________________
Rusty 61 RHD Karmann Ghia Coupe - Resto in progress....slowly
Stock 69 LHD Karmann Ghia Coupe - Driver
67 New Zealand Spec Beetle - Being rebuilt
63 New Zealand Spec Beetle - Going Baja!
86 T25 Westfalia - Family Fun car |
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eashc
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Ventura County
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Just put on some spindles on my bug. Still on drums. Went pretty smooth. The problem I have is my lower ball joint rubs the rim. I'm running 205/50-15 tires and Porsche rims with adapters on them. Running stock with narrow tires you may be ok. |
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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13952
Location: Southampton U.K.
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sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 3916
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 5:30 am Post subject: |
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I used the CB performance drum brake drop spindles with the matching CSP disks. If I tire of the dropped & narrow front end it is possible to revert to original spindles and perhaps to a stock front beam and keep the disks.
The quality is there. I've invested too much in paint and panel to skimp on stopping power. I advise against shortcuts with brakes, steering and suspension.
Nicholas
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'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
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NWGhiaGuy
Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2005
Posts: 700
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:04 am Post subject: |
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| Since your car is RHD, the speedo cable must mount through the right side spindle, right? Are the aftermarket spindles drilled for the speedo cable on that side? |
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TheFop
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 302
Location: Auckland - New Zealand
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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| NWGhiaGuy wrote: |
| Since your car is RHD, the speedo cable must mount through the right side spindle, right? Are the aftermarket spindles drilled for the speedo cable on that side? |
The speedo cable actually goes through on the left hand side, I'd assume this was to standardise as many parts as possible, I'm not sure if this is the same on later models though, it does of course require a longer cable.
I read through a few more posts and the theme of spindle/disc conversion kits and the theme (excluding getting into the whole single piece, 2 piece, cast, bearings etc etc etc) was in short that ;
Cheapest: EMPI are OK but have some issues around quality and they seem to suffer from incorrect casting marks which confuses the hell out of some when they try and fit them.
Mid Price; CB's look a good and are better quality than EMPI, although often need some work to get them to fit well but give some piece of mind.
I think John summed it up quite well as usual noting that brakes aren't something to skimp on.
Looks like I'll be saving up a few more $'s and going for CB kit.....now I see how people drops thousands of $'s into their cars without realising how it all mounts up.
_________________
Rusty 61 RHD Karmann Ghia Coupe - Resto in progress....slowly
Stock 69 LHD Karmann Ghia Coupe - Driver
67 New Zealand Spec Beetle - Being rebuilt
63 New Zealand Spec Beetle - Going Baja!
86 T25 Westfalia - Family Fun car |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13952
Location: Southampton U.K.
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