| Author |
Message |
bosstyn
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2015
Posts: 195
Location: Portland Maine
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
 |
|
Curious. I have long been skulking around the brake conversion. I drive an 85 2wd. Most of what i find is that i need the spindles from an 86 or newer van to accommodate the big brake kit. From what i read, it sounds as if the kit from Small Car may do the trick if i have the correctly sized wheels. (i have 16 inch). Does anyone have any feedback from this perspective?
IE: will the small car audi brake kit fit my 1985 2wd van with the stock spindles?
Experience?
Thoughts?
_________________
Donquita, 85 Westfalia GL |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18834
Location: Retired South Florida
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:48 pm Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
| bosstyn wrote: |
Curious. I have long been skulking around the brake conversion. I drive an 85 2wd. Most of what i find is that i need the spindles from an 86 or newer van to accommodate the big brake kit. From what i read, it sounds as if the kit from Small Car may do the trick if i have the correctly sized wheels. (i have 16 inch). Does anyone have any feedback from this perspective?
IE: will the small car audi brake kit fit my 1985 2wd van with the stock spindles?
Experience?
Thoughts? |
We just had a van in here with was likely a Van Cafe big brake kit based on Audi discs and calipers. I do not see a complete big brake kit on their website any longer only replacement parts. It's not really clear.
I think Go Westy has it figured out. They have a hub for most years.
https://www.gowesty.com/product/brakes-suspension-/24426/hub-kit-for-big-brakes?v=
They also have a proprietary big brake kit. What's worriesome is the availability of spare parts. https://www.gowesty.com/product/made-in-usa/23870/gowesty-bigger-brakes-?v=
I have no experience with this kit. For the van we had in here, we were able to still buy new rotors and pads from regular vendors. Thats a plus. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 820
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
Looks like you still need the later model spindles thru small car
"Please note: This kit will fit an 80 to 85 Vanagon if you install front uprights (spindles) and wheel bearings from an 1986-1991 Van."
_________________
82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18834
Location: Retired South Florida
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
The first step is modified bearing housings. You can modify a set of original vanagon discs by machining them or it looks like GW has bearing housings already.
| Quote: |
| This hub kit is required to install the GoWesty Bigger Brakes kit on any 2WD Vanagon. |
Boxeer is also listing a big brake kit for early 2wd vanagons.
Members have been cobbling bigger brakes on vanagons for quite a while. Some folks are more interested in a complete solution that doesn't require crawling around junk yards. I can't believe how the supply of late model uprights have dried up. Crazy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thatbaldwinlife
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2011
Posts: 801
Location: Out exploring
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
We have the Small Car kit on our 87 with the BMW booster. The brakes are very good and all of the parts are off the shelf at any auto parts store (except the hubs).
The Boxxeer kit looks amazing but I would be worried about replacement parts down the road.
nate
_________________
1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18834
Location: Retired South Florida
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:16 am Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
From what I can tell, its the caliper adapters and the rotor "hats" that are unique to the Boxeer brake kit. Those items should last forever.
Caliper availability and rebuild kits would not be an issue. You'd have a lot of pad compound options with the Wilwood calipers. Coleman Machine could easily supply new discs. They could even be directional vents. So, when they are available I would not be afraid to pull the trigger on them if I wanted larger vented brakes. No affiliation. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 4341
Location: SWVA
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:21 am Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
That did intrigue me about the hubs - however on the 'big brake kit' page it says
"• 1980-85 vehicles require spindles and caliper bolts from a 1986-91 Vanagon to fit this brake kit. [Part numbers: 251-407-311AH/AQ, 251-407-312AH/AQ]"
https://www.gowesty.com/product/made-in-usa/23870/gowesty-bigger-brakes-?v=
_________________
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18834
Location: Retired South Florida
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:30 am Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
It would be nice to know what the difference in uprights is. I know in production the outer wheel bearing changed dimensions, but I remember reading where someone was able to mix and match in the correct order. The other problem might be the caliper bolt spacing. It would be nice to have this piece of information.
We recently had a Syncro with G60 2 piston calipers and vented rotors. The calipers were attached with long bolts spacers and nuts. Pain to take on and off. Rotors were off the shelf Audi 200 I believe.
We just finished another late model vanagon with G57 single piston calipers. These calipers took no spacers or nuts. The caliper bolts fit through the spindle and threaded into the caliper. As far as I could tell, nothing was modified. So the G57 was a cleaner install, but minus the extra clamping force.
Ironically, our 82 stock brakes are dual piston calipers, but on each side of the disc. So, technically in stock form to me is a preferable design. Floating calipers work fine, but just not a fan of them.
The Wilwood caliper in the Boxeer kit is likely a 4 piston caliper. Wilwood lets you choose your piston diameter, which might come in handy with a stock vanagon 23mm master cylinder. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Franklinstower
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006
Posts: 2001
Location: PNW
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:49 am Post subject: Re: which big brake kit? |
|
|
I like the adapters made by epytec in Germany. Although difficult to get in the US. They have a variety of brake kits using VAG components. Well engineered and tuv approved. I use their rear brake set up. Matches will with my 4 piston jag front brakes.
Paul
_________________
'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug
YITB |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
