Which Big Brake kit. Van Cafe or Smallcar.

[Ryan Keating]

Looking at big brakes for my svx westy 2wd. Just want to know how they have worked in your van. Or just your opinion on them.

[Zeitgeist 13]

Aren't those two kits essentially the same?
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH
'01 Weekender --> full camper
NEAT, no ICE.

[hdenter]

Take a look at the thread on the Jaguar brakes. It is almost bolt on if you don't mind getting dirty. I would link it, but I am on my phone.
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[Oceanpro907]

I choose VC big brake kit. My impression was that they fit more wheels than the small car kit. the Small car kit has dual pistons and the VC has a single.

[Williamtaylor33]

I would give van cafe my business
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89 Bostig powered syncro westy

[Jedi]

I think Gowesty should be included in the topic too
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23124&category_id=&category_parent_id=
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1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro

[ProvoCyclist]

Ryan, i'm using the Van-Cafe kit, its all Audi-based, the A4 B5 chassis if i remember right. Ive been really happy with it, i can get parts from my local import parts shoppe. Umm, i dont really know what else to tell ya.

Ninja edit: Oh yeah, its all a kit from Euro Spec Sport, [url]eurospecsport.com[/url], they also have some really nice looking diesel conversion kits too.
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Clark
Current: 1986 Tintop GL 2wd, stock 2.1L, manual trans, Savanna Beige Metallic LH1V.
Past: 1985 Sunroof GL, 2wd, Subaru 3.3L, manual trans, resprayed to Diamond Silver L97A

[syncrodoka]

The problem with the GW kit is that replacement parts have been spotty in the past(like all SA parts).
The smallcar kit is a premade G60 dual piston kit- http://www.syncro.ca/tech/audibrakes.htm I made my own kit and the calipers are huge and hard to fit rims over but replacement parts are easy to come by.
The VC kit is a single piston kit that audi based as well but is supposed to fit more rims.

[madspaniard]

Van Cafe started selling the South African big brake kit (same offered today by GoWesty, 275mm rotor). After a while, Van Cafe stopped selling the South African kit and now offers the Audi big brake kit (288mm rotor).
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[Alaric.H]

2 pistons are better at stopping than one and SA brakes will not stop a SVX fast enough.

[RGS Paul]

The rotors on the VC kit are actually a little larger then those on the SC kit, about 10 mm in diameter. I think the pads might be a little larger on the G60's that SC sells though. The VC kit will develop more stopping torque while the SC kit will resist fade a little better. All in all I think they are pretty comparable, parts are available for both and there is a good selection of pad options. You can upgrade the guide pins in the VC calipers to improve pedal feel some more, the design of the G60's is different so this isn't an option (not a big deal).

My Dad put the VC kit on his Westy Syncro and loves them, much better feel according to him. He did have a tiny bit of clearance problems on one corner and had to grind the back of the caliper down slightly, this was minor though. I'm putting together a G60 kit from junkyard parts, they look pretty substantial and I'm looking forward to testing it all out.

To make a decision I'd look at the cost of replacements and base it off that. Performance wise I think they are indistinguishable, it is just how much do you want to pay, who do you want to send your money to, and do you think there is an advantage to the 2-piston semi-floating (only way I can describe the G60, it is a floating design though) caliper versus the 1-piston floating caliper.

The absolute best option. Wilwood 4-piston monoblock calipers on Audi rotors. I'll go this route when I have more money to burn and I can afford to have the van waylaid for a few weeks while I design parts.

Lots to consider,

Paul
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'87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman

[RGS Paul]

Oh, one more thought. I wouldn't put the SA kit on for the reasons syncrodoka mentions, you aren't necessarily going to be able to get parts for them in 6 months, 12 months, 4 years… There are lots of Audis out there to support future part manufacture and the Audi's the kits are based on were made in to the mid/late 90's, relatively new stuff. I like the piece of mind of that.

Paul
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'87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman

[WestyBob]

I installed the VanCafe big brake kit on my westy weekender syncro many years ago and they work very well .. very happy.

At the time I compared this with SC's offering but chose VC. The dual SC piston arrangement is attractive but I've had no problems slowing quickly and noticably with the VC jobs.

[Ryan Keating]

Thanks for all the input. I think the VC big brakes are the winner. I try to buy all my parts from them if I can. They have always taken care if me. Just wanted more opinions. Plus the cookies always make me happy. I think I will order them right now along with some lift springs.

[beelzibus]

So the big question I have is what are the Audi calipers used in the Vancafe 288mm kit, are the carriers modified in any way, if so how?

[crazyvwvanman]

The caliper carriers used in the 288mm single piston kits are custom made for use in the Vanagon kit. New castings with more metal in the mounting bolt hole areas and bigger holes to match the huge caliper bolts used in Vanagons.

People who do it themselves are drilling out the used Audi carriers at the bolt holes and using spacers to set the caliper offset to match the rotor. The new holes are not on the same centers as the old small holes but overlap them almost.

Mark

[r39o]

Been using these brakes now on a few vans including SVX ones:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=160055

G60 calipers and Mercedes 303mm rotors.

Drum brakes in the back...no need for discs in the back.

Stop just fine. No...GREAT!
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[Ryan Keating]

303mm rotors. Wow you must be doing nose wheelies. My VC brakes are on the way but I may do some reading on that. Must feel great.

[r39o]

[Team WorldTour]

I have been driving VWs for many years, and I must say; since I put the VC brakes on Domo, I have confidence in my brakes for once! It stops like I think it should!
FWIW: Go with the VC kit. You will not be sorry!
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1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
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