Brake kits/ Swing Axle vs I.R.S.

[ladon67]

Got a question for the group- I have a '62 Beetle framed kit car on which I want to put EMPI GT-8 wheels (4x130). Appletree.com has the EMPI front disc brake upgrade for a king pin front end in 4x130, but only the 5x205 for the rear drums in the swing axle. They do make a 4x130 drum rebuild kit for I.R.S. cars.
My question- is there a difference in the drum/backing plate on the IRS cars? The drums appear the same in the pics. I could go with a wheel adapter, but figured if there really is no difference, I'd just do the 4x130 kit. Thanks for any input!! -Mark

pic attached for reference

[EVfun]

Yes. The brakes shoe are wider and the backing plate is shaped differently to suit the wider shoes. The later wheel cylinder is machined differently too. The brakes drums have longer splines so you can't bolt them on the older axles.

You need to determine what you have now before buying brake shoes or replacing adjusters. Out back you could have '58-'64 brakes or '65-67 brakes. They use different shoes. Alternately, you could convert the back to the later IRS brakes if you buy the later backing plates and have the drum machined to shorten spline length down to match the early axles.
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[ladon67]

Thx, EVfun. I'm thinking I may as well just go with disc brakes out back too. It's $200 extra for the 4x130 kit over the drum kit, but if I have to replace the backing plates and have the drums milled, that pretty much negates the extra $...and I'd have 4 wheel discs!!

Oh well...mo' money, mo' money, mo' money!!!