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Bruce Amacker
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2007
Posts: 1795
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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 Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| Major Woody wrote: |
[
For me, I want the most powerful brakes I can get with the lowest pedal effort. I would think a four piston caliper would be preferable in that regard.
I don't care too much about the cost difference. I want wear parts that I can easily replace down the road without having to go back to the original supplier.
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I expected my pedal pressure to increase going to disc, but the opposite happened. I can now make an easy stop with 5lbs of pedal pressure, similar to what I use in my modern vehicles. I work my leg muscles much less with the AC setup than the stock drums I had (and everything was new in the drum brakes less than a year ago). I am really amazed at how well the AC kit works. After a long city ride recently I quickly crawled under the bus and touched each rotor and drum. The rotors were about 120F, the drums were under 100 (50F day). You can feel in the pedal what's happening- at 3-5 lbs of effort the discs come in and the drums don't come in until you apply considerably more pressure (20-30lbs?). Most stopping is done with light pressure (discs) unless a traffic light turns at an inopportune time. The pedal is high and tight, much higher and firmer than it used to be. At a stoplight on a slight grade, I used to have to put 20lbs into the pedal to keep the bus from rolling, now it's just a couple of lbs and the pedal moves maybe 1/2". It feels like power disc in relation to what I had before. I've been driving it as much as I possibly can to get the pads seated in before the weather turns and it gets parked. I probably have 500-700 miles on them at this time. In a panic stop I think I can keep with modern vehicles, I certainly couldn't do that before.
Pads and cal rubber kits are Jetta. Rotors will have to come from AC if you ever need them. I'm glad I bought two kits and look forward to putting them on the other bus this winter.
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Spike0180
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2015
Posts: 2270
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 5:38 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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I saw this AC Industries kit at Munks Motors yesterday. It did looks pretty nice. Pretty top quality parts.
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Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
Current State: Projects never truly end...
Location: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Other cars: 2003 F150, 2003 Jetta GLI vr6-6sp
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3410
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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Just throwing this out there but the Old Speed kit uses a Volvo vented cast iron rotor and Wildwood calipers so everything is readily available.
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RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches |
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sled
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 6315
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:27 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| srfndoc wrote: |
| Just throwing this out there but the Old Speed kit uses a Volvo vented cast iron rotor and Wildwood calipers so everything is readily available. |
5x205 and stock 15" wheels?
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3410
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| Just throwing this out there but the Old Speed kit uses a Volvo vented cast iron rotor and Wildwood calipers so everything is readily available. |
5x205 and stock 15" wheels? |
Yep. That's what I run on my Westy (stock 15" wheels with 195R15 tires).
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Low Bräu
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2003
Posts: 346
Location: Merritt Island, FL
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| Quote: |
Pads and cal rubber kits are Jetta. Rotors will have to come from AC if you ever need them. I'm glad I bought two kits and look forward to putting them on the other bus this winter. |
After thinking about this and my measurements which I stated the rotor was 255mm, I am pretty sure the AC kit was designed off of the 10.1" or 256mm Girling brakes that came on the MK2 GLI 16V. The caliper does look like it's reading closer to 256mm than 255mm. These used to be considered "BIG" brakes and were a popular swap for souped up Mk1 and MK2 VWs. If this is correct and you needed pads or seal kits for the calipers you could order parts for a 1989 Jetta GLI.
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Bruce Amacker
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2007
Posts: 1795
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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sled
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 6315
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| srfndoc wrote: |
| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| Just throwing this out there but the Old Speed kit uses a Volvo vented cast iron rotor and Wildwood calipers so everything is readily available. |
5x205 and stock 15" wheels? |
Yep. That's what I run on my Westy (stock 15" wheels with 195R15 tires).
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price?
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Z
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2003
Posts: 2517
Location: galveston, tx
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| Just throwing this out there but the Old Speed kit uses a Volvo vented cast iron rotor and Wildwood calipers so everything is readily available. |
5x205 and stock 15" wheels? |
Yep. That's what I run on my Westy (stock 15" wheels with 195R15 tires).
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price? |
x2...
tbh, the lack of information about Old Speed products is one reason I kinda forget to even check with them. Doesn't mean they don't make really great stuff, but when you just can't find information/price, etc., its kind of a drag. |
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3410
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 7:16 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| Z wrote: |
| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| Just throwing this out there but the Old Speed kit uses a Volvo vented cast iron rotor and Wildwood calipers so everything is readily available. |
5x205 and stock 15" wheels? |
Yep. That's what I run on my Westy (stock 15" wheels with 195R15 tires).
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price? |
x2...
tbh, the lack of information about Old Speed products is one reason I kinda forget to even check with them. Doesn't mean they don't make really great stuff, but when you just can't find information/price, etc., its kind of a drag. |
Yep, totally get it. I'm local to Old Speed so its easy to drive over and get answers. If your not local calling him is the best way to get answers as his website is no help.
I paid $1200 for the kit but that was 4 or 5 years ago. That included the dual master cylinder parts as well.
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sled
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 6315
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| srfndoc wrote: |
| Z wrote: |
| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| sled wrote: |
| srfndoc wrote: |
| Just throwing this out there but the Old Speed kit uses a Volvo vented cast iron rotor and Wildwood calipers so everything is readily available. |
5x205 and stock 15" wheels? |
Yep. That's what I run on my Westy (stock 15" wheels with 195R15 tires).
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price? |
x2...
tbh, the lack of information about Old Speed products is one reason I kinda forget to even check with them. Doesn't mean they don't make really great stuff, but when you just can't find information/price, etc., its kind of a drag. |
Yep, totally get it. I'm local to Old Speed so its easy to drive over and get answers. If your not local calling him is the best way to get answers as his website is no help.
I paid $1200 for the kit but that was 4 or 5 years ago. That included the dual master cylinder parts as well. |
todd do you have any photos from your installation you could share? or could you pop a wheel off and get some pics for this thread?
Im looking for discs for one of my stock buses so I want to know all the available options.
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3410
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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I don't have any handy but Splitty1974 posted some further back in this thread:
He also had one installed minus the caliper:
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sled
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 6315
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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THANK YOU.
another awesome looking kit comparatively priced. We need a current pricing from Russell.
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ezcamper
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2001
Posts: 919
Location: Atlantic Beach, FL
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| Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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I bought my kit form old speed as well. It's a late bay hub with a turned down mercedes (could be volvo?) disc... with an adapter. They stop really good with a 67 only MC. I'm running 14" wheels. Don't remember the price.. maybe $1100-1200 or so. It's worth every penny.
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instagram is http://instagram.com/bullidriversteelworks |
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matthew henricks
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2002
Posts: 1393
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:25 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| sled wrote: |
| We need a current pricing from Russell. |
I got an email from Old Speed. He was very helpful.
Pricing is $1250 for the kit, $110 for the MC.
I was bummed though to learn the kit only works on 63 and newer beams. That rules me out since i have a 1960 bus.
Matthew |
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Z
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2003
Posts: 2517
Location: galveston, tx
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:29 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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Thanks all for the Old Speed kit info. Do they work fit with 15" bus wheels?
I've always assumed that if it fits a 14" wheel, it should fit a 15" wheel (cuz, logic), but that's clearly not true. |
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srfndoc
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 3410
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| Z wrote: |
Thanks all for the Old Speed kit info. Do they work fit with 15" bus wheels?
I've always assumed that if it fits a 14" wheel, it should fit a 15" wheel (cuz, logic), but that's clearly not true. |
Old speed kit does work on 15" bus rims.
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Z
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2003
Posts: 2517
Location: galveston, tx
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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| srfndoc wrote: |
| Z wrote: |
Thanks all for the Old Speed kit info. Do they work fit with 15" bus wheels?
I've always assumed that if it fits a 14" wheel, it should fit a 15" wheel (cuz, logic), but that's clearly not true. |
Old speed kit does work on 15" bus rims. |
Thanks! |
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matthew henricks
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2002
Posts: 1393
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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So if we re-group here and we are looking for a kit to run stock 15" rims on a pre 63 stock suspension without grinding down and customizing parts what are the options for an out of the box solution?
CSP
EMPI
Thanks |
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jasonvw
Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 774
Location: so cal since 87
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Front disc brake conversion |
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Anyone out there know why the Empi kit only works on stock, unflipped/dropped spindles? Or what is needed to make it work on dropped spindles? I have seen the kit, seen it installed and its a nice quality part but everyone says it doesn't work for lowered spindles...
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