Hold The Phone - New GoWesty Bigger Brakes!

[syncrodoka]

Since they are custom parts not adapted from an existing vehicle all replacement parts have to come from GW? rotors, pads and calipers? They don't even list replacement parts.
What do you do when you need a replacement part in BFE?

Easily attained replacement parts down the road is something that I always consider when doing upgrades- especially something vital to driving.

[Mundopacheco]

Smallcar's Big Brake Kit is 280mm with dual piston calipers for 599.00. It seems worth the extra 100.00, although they're out of stock.
How thick are the Smallcar rotors?
How fat would the GW rotors have to be to offset the benefit of dual piston calipers?
As far as the issue of GW new Big Brake Kit replacement parts availability, I'm sure we will hear something soon enough. Not here, of course, but something will appear on their site.
Miguel

[BillM]

The caliper bracket looks pretty thin in two spots. I know its a cast
part it just don't look that strong.
I also just don't believe that the pads and rotor are custom. Why would
the disk have all those other holes that slide over the studs?
If it wasn't made for multiple applications.
I also wonder if GoWesty is using SA hubs for 2wd or did
they have them copied (which is actually good news if
they will sell them seperatley).
I applaud GoWesty effort but they are not for me..
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

[Jake de Villiers]

The Van Cafe Audi kit may only be single piston but if its enough to haul down an Audi A4 on the autobahn...

The fact that I can run Zimmerman Sport rotors and Porterfield (or other) high quality pads makes the Van Cafe Kit a no-brainer, really.
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
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[outwesty]

Has anyone tried Northwestys kit ? I am thinking about going this route.

http://www.kirkmeeks.com/syncro_store

[carterzest]

[danfromsyr]

Looks like those Small Car might be from an Audi A4 or Passat 1.8T
running the part # zimmerman 8EO 615 301C
288mm x 25mm
http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/genuine-part-brake-disc-front-vented-288x25_246416.html
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[carterzest]

[hans j]

Even the larger A6 avant uses the 288x25 rotors. That's why I chose them when building mine, plus parts available all over the world!

And speaking of expensive brakes, all of the kits mentioned are way way WAYYYY cheaper than the Brembo with floating hat kit I have on my Audi... Building that car makes building a syncro westy affordable!
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[Phishman068]

Having the 288 and G60 setup on my syncro, same as the smallcar setup more or less....
I can state with confidence that this is plenty of braking, at least for my needs. My bus is quite heavy and i drive it quite fast, and these brakes are amazing compared to the factory (but fully rebuilt) 2wd system on my 2wd.

Kirk's got a great product out there as well.

I don't so much like this new gowesty offering for the reason of the custom parts. Custom parts should not be wearable items, custom parts should be adaptors to allow wearable items to be used. Yes, the caliper counts as a wearable item.

I'm working on adding G60 and 288mm rotors to my 2wd now, and can assure you that the home made version of piecing these commonly available parts together is quite cheaper than any offering, and you get to know what pieces you have!
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

[rockfish]

[Steve Arndt]

For a Syncro:
So the basics for a self sourced kit would be A4 Audi rotors, and G60 Corado Girling calipers? Any other things to know? Do those calipers bolt on directly or require spacing or adapters?

Steve

[Syncronoid]

[D Clymer]

In fairness to GoWesty, it's important to keep in mind that none of the other vendors selling front vented brake upgrades disclose in their ads what the original source of their calipers are. In all cases, that is something that has subsequently been figured out by sharp and resourceful Vanagon owners.

For instance, the original South African brake upgrade had mystery ATE calipers until someone realized that the replacement pads were the same as a Merkur Scorpio and the calipers were also very similar with the exception of the carrier.

The Smallcar ad for years didn't say anything about where the calipers were from, but Vanagon owners who are familiar with Audi 5000 Turbos, 200s, and Audi V8s recognize them as the dual piston G60 calipers that were marginal on these cars from 1986 to 1993.

The Eurospec Sport kit that Van Cafe sells says they are Audi based, but does not go into detail about which Audi they are from. But once again, those of us who have owned A4s and A6s recognize them.

In spite of that, these have all been valid brake upgrades that many people have gotten reliable use out of. I think the GoWesty kit will be the same way. Once it becomes known what brake pad part number these use it won't be hard to figure out which vehicles share the calipers. I like the fact that the GoWesty kit uses caliper carriers that were made for the Vanagon bolt spacing and the unusually large mounting bolt size. To me this is a better solution than carriers that had the mounting holes offset bored and then opened up to a size that the original forging may or may not have been engineered for.

Also, the rotors included in the GoWesty kit are not necessarily universal fit just because of the extra lug bolt holes. The factory original rotors on my mom's Audi A6 4.2 and my old Audi S4 also have this double drilled pattern and those are actual Audi parts.

I like what I see with the new GW brake kit. It looks like a good value to me, and I'm not worried about getting stranded far from home with shot brake pads and shot calipers and shot rotors. Maybe I'm wrong and they will all end up being one off parts that only GoWesty sells, but I doubt it. I think only the caliper carriers will end up being unique.

David

[photogdave]

^ Agree with David.
Also spoke to a knowledgeable mechanic who has worked with most of the current kits and he said more or less the same.
GW confirmed this kit will work with my 15" Mefros so I might just pull the trigger.
_________________
89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

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[Mundopacheco]

[photogdave]

[madspaniard]

[syncrodoka]

[insyncro]

I appreciate the thickness of the rotor, plus venting.

Let me know if they will work with Ronal R9 15" ET23 rims on a Syncro?