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Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:00 pm

Guys,
I’m getting ready soon to do my first aftermarket front disk brake conversion. My question is…. If I install the makers oversized MC, will it give me a better power brake feel?

Front brake kit: $1700
Their big MC: $250

Made in Germany

Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:07 pm

A larger diameter piston would lower the braking for the same amount of force on the pedal. Can't say whether this would be good or bad. I don't like brakes that don't require a proportional force on the pedal over ones that its more the distance the pedal needs to be depressed with the force not changing much as the pedal goes down.

Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:19 pm

$1700?!?

Yuck. Have you looked into the Type-E Motorsports kit? It uses 11” rotors, pads, & calipers that are commonly available at almost any parts store & everything is roughly 1/3-1/2 that price.

https://type-emotorsports.com/products/type-e-ez-s...gzBUPpnlMR

And, it’s made in ‘Murica.

Best part yet, the wide five 14” steelies still fit.

Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:25 pm

I’ve been here on the samba for about 15 years. In that time I’ve seen many threads where people have trouble with quality and fitment issues. The difference between cheap kits and quality kits isn’t worth all the time and trouble making shitty parts fit.

At least that’s my personal opinion

Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:30 pm

aeromech wrote: I’ve been here on the samba for about 15 years. In that time I’ve seen many threads where people have trouble with quality and fitment issues. The difference between cheap kits and quality kits isn’t worth all the time and trouble making shitty parts fit.

At least that’s my personal opinion

Direct bolt up, no issues. Lots of excellent feedback.
TDCTDI wrote: Who doesn’t love new toys?

Growing tired of the adjust the brakes every other weekend, and wanting just a bit better braking (especially down those steep declines with a stop at the bottom.) I sprung for the Type-E Motorsports brake kit.

This morning I started pulling it all apart.

And, after the new bolts were meeting too much resistance upon installation, I chased the threads with a tap.

After installing the caliper hanger, the rotor went on,along with the calipers, bolt pattern adapters, & spacers.

And then the wheels.

The worst part of the conversion is removing the residual pressure valves in n the master cylinder, & then getting the lines & flare nuts started again.

Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:38 pm

Thanks for those pics and info. What brand and vendor was that? Country of manufacturing?

Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:43 pm

The Type E kit is great. Also it’s the only kit worth installing these days.

Unfortunately, it’s less expensive so it flies below the radar. There are a few more hours of billable time during installation, mostly for parts sourcing. But in my opinion, that’s the strength of the kit: parts available at any FLAPS and rebuildable in small town America.

I think the only thing that could make it better is a splash shield/backing plate like the 71+ buses.

—

Brake “feel” is such a subjective thing. Some brakes bite hard initially but don’t provide an increase in stopping power with more force. Others take more pressure to slow the car but keep increasing strength as you press harder. I would say the Type E kit is closer to a perfectly adjusted drum setup, and not quite as relaxed as a boosted late bus when you’re hauling down from 60-0 at every other red light.

Robbie

Sat Aug 09, 2025 2:07 pm

the usual reason some of the disc kits need a bigger bore MC is because the piston sizes in the caliper are different so you need a different MC to displace the right volume of fluid at the right mechanical ratio for the same brake travel at the pedal

nothing to do with power, its just about making sure the MC is matched to the piston size in the calipers the kit uses

Sat Aug 09, 2025 2:42 pm

G-

Bigger isn't better here. When it comes to fluid, look up pascals law, it's too much to type here but you could end up with a garbage pedal. Pascals Law lays it all out

Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:18 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: G-

Bigger isn't better here. When it comes to fluid, look up pascals law, it's too much to type here but you could end up with a garbage pedal. Pascals Law lays it all out

this, its just math and physics especially since we dont change the pedal ratio or stroke

Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:32 pm

as long as the volume of the MC matches the pistons, and the stroke is the same, the braking as experienced by the foot will be similar. Disks are easier to change, and fade less for a given contact area. They also dry off quicker if immersed in water. They off-gas better. Once the brakes are applying enough pressure to stop the wheels from turning, the tire traction takes over and all brakes are the same. If the hand brake is properly adjusted, you can lock the rear tires with it at 45 - 50 mph. I've done it on asphalt in my 1971.

Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:54 pm

If some of you guys remember Tom Powell, he had a 1969 camper and he installed a front disc kit. I remember driving it and thinking that the brake pedal effort wasn’t any better than his drums were. Now, as far as maintenance, fade, etc. I’m sure he did gain on those things especially since he snow skied and drove his bus up there.