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Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:44 am

I'm having trouble finding much info on the newer Gowesty big brake kit. Most of the big break topics seem to revolve around the DIY audis and van cafe or small car kits.

Both smallcar and vancafe are $650 to $700 for their kits and another 100 or so for the stainless lines. While the Gowesty kit is $500 and includes the stainless lines. Prices are for the syncro, which are cheaper than 2wd.

I looked into doing a DIY audi, but I don't want to go to a junkyard to pull used parts. Added to this many of the sticked topics on the subject are very old with many of the links and pictures with-in those topics no longer working.

I'm curious if those whom have used the Gowesty kit are happy with it? The price is simply much cheaper than smallcar or vancafe's and it comes with the stainless break lines which are extra with the other kits.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:14 am

I've had a ton of success lately using google to search here, instead of the imbedded search bar. Just make sure you spell 'brakes' correctly.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:17 am

David, I no experience with their kit, but most likely the kit is fine. You should review the fine print on their website. Seems there are extras that increase the cost if you have 2WD or a 2WD from the early years. What van are you adding big brakes to?

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:18 am

New GoWesty big brake kit is discussed in this existing topic: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=551588 . :wink:

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:19 am

Keep in mind that if you are not currently running a big brake kit you'll need the hubs as well.
That will add to the cost of the GoWesty price tag.

I have installed a few of the Gowesty kits and really like the performance upgrade.
The only downside is increased nose dive when braking. But its easy to get used to.
Be sure to also adjust the rear brakes when installing any kit.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:21 am

benandmj wrote: I've had a ton of success lately using google to search here, instead of the imbedded search bar. Just make sure you spell 'brakes' correctly.

Yea I tried searching it spelled both ways.. My auto correct keeps changing it to "breaks". I figured I'd leave one or two like that for others that search latter, incase this topic becomes fruitful.

I did look around on google as well, but no real luck there either, just picks up the same topics which tend to revolve around the vancafe, smallcar or audi DIY. Granted there are a few others but not much on the Gowesty kit. Pretty much everything I found with Gowesty was about the older SA kit.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:23 am

kirsplat wrote: Keep in mind that if you are not currently running a big brake kit you'll need the hubs as well.
That will add to the cost of the GoWesty price tag.

I have installed a few of the Gowesty kits and really like the performance upgrade.
The only downside is increased nose dive when braking. But its easy to get used to.
Be sure to also adjust the rear brakes when installing any kit.

I have a syncro, so won't need the hubs.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:30 am

Quote: I have a syncro, so won't need the hubs.

Gotcha....I didn't catch that in your signature line :wink:

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:37 am

Quote: I have a syncro, so won't need the hubs.

Seems like a no brainer then to me. I would find out what pads they are using so that you are not locked into buying pads only from them in the future. With one exception, I have not been able to find fault with anything I have purchased from GW. They seem to do their homework. Plus, it is not like they are making the calipers and rotors in house. They are going to a manufacturer. Looks like you need pretty good size rims to run them.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:39 am

The Small Car kit http://www.smallcar.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29831 is a dual caliper. The GW kit is a single caliper. You get what you pay for. That said, I will happily upgrade my 2wd GL automatic to the single caliper, but the Syncro gets the duals.
Happy Shopping!
Miguel

Mon Nov 11, 2013 12:00 pm

They say- Quote: Long-term availability: This GoWesty kit does not rely on any parts from another production vehicle—this is not an "adaptation" of any other brake system.

I think- "we will sell this kit until it isn't profitable or we go out of business at which point you are stuck with a kit that when something goes wrong you will have to buy something else"
They still don't list replacement caliper, rotor or pads that i see. What are the prices?

Mon Nov 11, 2013 12:01 pm

kamzcab86 wrote: New GoWesty big brake kit is discussed in this existing topic: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=551588 . :wink:

Actually, I read that topic twice..but it seemed like most of the discussion revolved around if Gowesty was making things themselves and that spending more money = safer/better.

I do realize that the dual piston brakes are probably better, but it's probably not needed, specially for $200 more. There are lots of cars and trucks on the road that only have single caliper brakes and stop just fine, but there was only 1 real review of the brake kit in that topic.

I was hoping that by now more people had tried them and could give more opinions on how they are working.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 12:14 pm

DAV!D wrote: kamzcab86 wrote: New GoWesty big brake kit is discussed in this existing topic: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=551588 . :wink:

Actually, I read that topic twice..but it seemed like most of the discussion revolved around if Gowesty was making things themselves and that spending more money = safer/better.

I do realize that the dual piston brakes are probably better, but it's probably not needed, specially for $200 more. There are lots of cars and trucks on the road that only have single caliper brakes and stop just fine, but there was only 1 real review of the brake kit in that topic.

I was hoping that by now more people had tried them and could give more opinions on how they are working.
FWIW...I had the GW kit put on a few months ago. So far so good, but I don't have a lot to compare to. My mechanic had intentionally stopped using GW parts for brakes because of his own quality concerns, but he recommended the new kit. One issue....I did have one rotor that wasn't perfect out of the box. Not a big deal, but a minor headache. I also needed longer studs... guessing I won't be alone in this.

See write-up here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566773&highlight=

Mon Nov 11, 2013 1:26 pm

Ya but if you play your cards right you can do the Audi swap for way less than even that $500.
I used new rotors, new pads, rebuilt calipers, and new hardware. The only thing "junkyard" was the carriers. Not a big deal.

I think the last time I did it it cost me closer to $200 total. This time I am planning on it being even cheaper as I got good used calipers and carriers for $40! : )
Its a real simple swap.