TheSamba.com :: View topic - Hold The Phone

Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:13 pm

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23870&category_id=253&category_parent_id=

These are CHEAP! What do we think?

Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:24 pm

It seems like a great kit, except its really irritating when they make things seem cheaper than they are, obviously if you are looking at this kit you dont already have the required hubs...so add another 250$
But good for GW for offering options

Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:24 pm

$500 for brakes is cheap? I've never paid that much for my car, installed. :wink: What was everyone paying when they were lucky enough to find them from SA?
photogdave wrote:
These are CHEAP! What do we think?

tam

Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:37 pm

:bay_blue: http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_760_629/big_brake_kit.html $ 795 Van Cafe! But $250 for the hub kit and you are up only $45, so we will have to see if they are any better! :D But then if you have a Syncro then yes a good deal. You don't need the hubs.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 pm

tam_shops wrote: $500 for brakes is cheap? I've never paid that much for my car, installed. :wink: What was everyone paying when they were lucky enough to find them from SA?
photogdave wrote:
These are CHEAP! What do we think?

tam

The $499.95 price is for a Syncro application. They want $749.95 for a (*edit*) full 2wd kit with hubs.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:56 pm

Interesting. I'm just in the market for that sorta thing. Wonder what wheels they will and will not work with? GW says: "...this kit will NOT work with European OEM Syncro-16 steel wheels and some other non-VW wheels." That doesn't instill a lot of promise to the buyer...

Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:11 pm

Christopher Schimke wrote: The $499.95 price is for a Syncro application. They want $749.95 for a 2wd kit.

From the description: "If you drive a 2WD Vanagon— and you do not currently have a big brake system installed —you'll also need our hub kit (available via the drop-down menu below)."

For the 2WDs, it depends on what your van currently has. Mine has the SA big brakes, so I wouldn't need the hub kit. If mine didn't have new-ish SA rotors, I'd be tempted with this new option. But Audi parts being available through multiple retailers make that option a tad more appealing (for if you have issues out on a road trip). Hmmm... kind of a tough choice. :-k

Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:18 pm

I don't get why people want cheap. I love my rig and I want BAD ASS and I'm ok paying for it. I'm sick of cheap....no offence intended...just sayin'

Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:23 pm

Crankey wrote: I don't get why people want cheap. I love my rig and I want BAD ASS and I'm ok paying for it. I'm sick of cheap....no offence intended...just sayin'

I agree. So I'm wondering if these are cheap or low-priced.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:27 pm

This is the kit eurospec has been selling for years right?? While better than sock on my over loaded syncro... I've always wanted more.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:40 pm

Crankey wrote: I don't get why people want cheap. I love my rig and I want BAD ASS and I'm ok paying for it. I'm sick of cheap....no offence intended...just sayin'

+1. I'm more than stoked with my Audi-based big brake kit from VC.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:41 pm

Read close these are not a really great long term solution.

It is NOT based on any other production out there.

Translation: Custom parts.

Single cylinder calipers. :(

THey are GREAT for GW cause they are THE single source for the parts....wonderful.

Notice the list ZERO specs, except they have 28mm thick rotors.

My big brakes have ONE custom part per side. And it is NOT a wear item.

Oh ya, I also recycle the old front hubs, too.

The rest I can buy off the street from many different sources.

Let me add up the cost.....rotors $79, pads $45, hoses $30, Custom part $100, uncommon but off the shelf fasteners $10, $20 to machine old hubs. Plus Calipers.

So that is like $300 + calipers (free - $200) so that is like $300 - $500 all off the shelf stuff for 330 mm brakes.

I like mine just fine, and I do not think the GW is a real bargain.

BAM!

Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:41 pm

Will the rotors change ET difference on a Syncro? I'm curious how thick the rotor is where it mates to the hub. It would be nice if it didn't effect stock ET.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:02 pm

I'm thinking I'll go with the VC kit because I want those SA hubs. I don't want cut down disc/hub parts cause it'll push my wheels outboard.

then I'll look into fitting G60 calipers.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:59 pm

$750 for brakes! :shock: :? :shock: What do the Audi ones cost?

Christopher Schimke wrote:
The $499.95 price is for a Syncro application. They want $749.95 for a (*edit*) full 2wd kit with hubs.

Now, I'm confused, would my stock 87 have brakes only on the back, or both back and front? If they are only on the back on such a heavy vehicle, got to wonder what they were thinking when they decided to do *that* :roll:

tam

Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:04 pm

tam_shops wrote: $750 for brakes! :shock: :? :shock: What do the Audi ones cost?

Christopher Schimke wrote:
The $499.95 price is for a Syncro application. They want $749.95 for a (*edit*) full 2wd kit with hubs.

Now, I'm confused, would my stock 87 have brakes only on the back, or both back and front? If they are only on the back on such a heavy vehicle, got to wonder what they were thinking when they decided to do *that* :roll:

tam

Audi Big Brake kit at VC is $695. Most vans, unless modified, have drum brakes on the rear. I've upgraded mine to larger, thicker drums.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:12 pm

Thank you, that's what I thought people were implying (by the need to make additional parts for 2wd ones or ones w/ another upgrade! Now I'll call $695 cheap! :wink: Not that I want cheap brakes or anything. I want ones that stop me fast when someone jumps in front of me!

tam
Syncronoid wrote:
Audi Big Brake kit at VC is $695. Most vans, unless modified, have drum brakes on the rear. I've upgraded mine to larger, thicker drums.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:17 pm

tam_shops wrote: $750 for brakes! :shock: :? :shock: What do the Audi ones cost?

Put it this way: What value do you place on safety, the brakes being high on the safety equipment list? To me, I'll happily spend the money to get my 5,000-pound brick to stop.

These are upgraded Vanagon brakes we're talking about here, not stock replacement parts. :wink:

tam_shops wrote: Now, I'm confused, would my stock 87 have brakes only on the back, or both back and front?

Both front (discs) and rear (drums). The new GW kit, the Audi kit, the SA kit are all upgrade replacements for the front brakes. You can also upgrade the rears as well.

Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:20 pm

Having dealt personally with the owner of GW, here is another profession from a short person!

More weight = better thermal soak? This blatantly ignores disc cooling, ducting, whether the discs are cooled from the outer or inside surface, rear backing plates vented to provide cooling, etc. etc. and on!

I still prefer to use an Audi kit such as offered by Small Car Performance and use a cross drilled vented disc with better pads and a braided s/s Teflon brake line!

...just my 2-cents worth!

Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:03 pm

For the money you can piece together your own braking system with good dual piston calipers, etc., but all things considered it looks to be a decent kit. Personally, money is no object when it comes to brakes. The van needs to stop when you need it to stop, not after the damage has been done.