Front disc brakes CB vs. AC Industries

[gringoloco2000]

I have searched and read a ton of threads, but most are EMPI vs. everything else. I have heard that the CIP1 kits are as questionable as the EMPIs. What I have not seen is CB vs AC (So. Cal Imports). I want a drop spindle kit. CB is about $100 more than AC. Is it worth it? Is it better? The offset for CB appears to be more than AC and I want to keep any additional offset to a minimum. If anyone has some feedback on this comparison, please let me know. I want to order a kit today.

[gringoloco2000]

Bueller? Where are those opinionated people? lol

[Mr.Duncan]

Both will work.
I've heard/been told CB's are higher quality (less fiddling to make it work right)
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[gringoloco2000]

Thanks. I did read some threads on EMPI and having to grind some stuff to make it fit. I don't want to have to resort to that. If CB is better quality and fitment, it is worth the $100 extra. I would love to hear if anyone has details on why the quality is better. Maybe better material on the spindles? Better fitment for the calipers?

[Mr.Duncan]

I've "seen some shit" as in a empi spindle snapping, but who really knows WHY.

I had a empi disk brake kit on my 71' super.

No issues. Never had any problems, No areas to grind. Worked great!

I guess it just comes down to WHO does the install.
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(Owner) www.vintagecarleds.com

Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle

[gringoloco2000]

yeah, that is possible. I did get scared off by some stories. Some other recent EMPI pieces I bought were pretty good. Not all of their stuff is garbage. I noted that the stuff from Taiwan was better than the stuff from the mainland. Who knows. I just want to get a decent kit. I don't think I can go wrong with AC or CB, but wanted to weight the differences if possible. Either will be better than the drums.

[Mr.Duncan]

[Tim Donahoe]

I also installed an Empi front disc conversion on my 1974 Super Beetle. Surprisingly, it was well made (forged brackets, etc.) and fit like a glove.

However, I would have bought Topline's kit if I had known of them at the time, because they sell a complete set-up that would have made installation far easier--especially their steel-braided hoses and clamps.

I've heard that may vendors who sell kits are using Empi rotors and calipers, anyway.

Still, I really have little to complain about with the Empi set-up.

Now, as for other Empi stuff ...?

Tim
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Richard O'Brien

[gringoloco2000]

Thanks Tim. I did read plenty of threads of people having no issues with EMPI, but the few that had issues were concerning. Some were missing hardware, some needed grinding and then there were discussions on flex. I did not see such stories about AC or CB. I am leaning towards AC right now. Someone please tell me why I should go with CB.

[sb001]

[Tim Donahoe]

I also read about and saw Youtube videos about Empi "flexing". But you have the option of getting forged brackets on these units. The stamped-steel caliper bracket is cheaper and flexes. But I seem to remember that this issue was for rear disc brakes, and I wouldn't waste the money on a rear disc brake system unless my entire rears needed replacing, anyway. Of course, some people don't want to adjust their rear brakes, so they go with discs. But I'd spring for the upgrade and get the ones with the forged brackets. A number of vendors offer both kits.

My Empi front disc conversion has forged caliper brackets. No flex.

Take note, I wouldn't have gone with the Empi (too many issues with other parts that they makes), but Wolfgang's here in town told me it was a good system--and they're pretty honest about their parts. So, I went for the kit (my wife bought it for my birthday) and I have no issues, other than having to bend the enclosed brake lines--a task that I'd never done before.

Tim
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Richard O'Brien

[gringoloco2000]

Good info. Thanks. I just read the So Cal vendor review thread and let's just say it was not exactly impressive. I need to review the CB thread, but I have seen little negative feedback on them in the past. I have a local shop and they only have EMPI. I am going to talk to them about forged vs. stamped. They have the Wilwood kits, but that is out of my budget right now.

[morymob]

U r a vendor , u sell brand 'X', competition sellsbrand'Y', flame y, z & others to improve your sales, sound possible??? I would rather go to a show ask around on fit/install, not asking about who's it is at first, get a better set of facts in my opinion, but other side of coin, i offer no warranty on my opinions either, just saying.

[pb_foots]

I've had the AC industries kit for a few years now. No issues during install, all the parts were there and fit well.

I got the stock height 'wide five zero offset' kit, and would do it again in a heartbeat. I can't speak to the dropped spindle part since I went with stock height.

You can't go wrong either way, IMO.

[iowegian]

[Mdemaria]

Do NOT BUT FROM SO CAL AUTO. MAJOR CASTING ISSUES!!!! Trust me I learned the hard way. No refund as well!!!

[ashman40]

Casting problems on the spindle or the calipers?

I was just looking at SoCal's disc kits. I was interested in their stock height kit which comes with (new) Ghia disc spindles and backing plates.

I read some recent threads about calipers coming with casting marks that had to be ground down to get proper clearance. Or needing to use washers to shift the calipers in/out to center on the discs. What problem exactly did you run into?
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[waggss]

^^^^^^ Curious too about the AC problems as I have a kit waiting to be installed.

[Lingwendil]

I have an AC industries kit on my 73 super, it all fit perfectly and I didn't encounter any issues. I purchased the stainless braided hoses to replace the rubber lines.

I had a CB wide five kit on my 61 and it fit well, but was very close to rubbing the caliper on aftermarket BRM wheels. Different suspension entirely though.
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[TDCTDI]

I’ve used the AC Industries kits on several builds & only had an issue with one caliper that the hole for the bleeder was not drilled through so i could not bleed the brakes from that caliper. Fortunately, since their calipers have bleeder screws in the top & bottom, I swapped the calipers side to side & had a functioning bleeder screw on the top of both sides.
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