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GreggK
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2008
Posts: 1025
Location: Colorado/Philidelphia
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 Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 7:26 am Post subject: Big brake kit. VC vs.GW... |
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Hello All,
Can anyone give a fair comparison of the Go Westy bigger brake kit vs. the South African Big brake kit. I was set on the GW kit but then the SA kit came back with Volks Café. Is it wise to upgrade the brake booster with either of these kits?
I'll be doing the install on a 2wd. I'll probally leave the rear brakes as drums, just re-build them. Any opinions?
Thanks GreggK |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8273
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Big brake kit. VC vs.GW... |
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There are quite a few threads on this although beware of years-old posts that may have outdated info because kits have changed.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/search.php?q=Big%20brakes%20vanagon
After reading a bunch I'm going with the GW kit because a) my tech prefers it b) the differences between kits are too small for me to worry about and c) I need to replace many of the parts anyway so I'm choosing to go with bigger brakes.
Idaho Doug makes compelling arguments that stock is best. In the end we'll all choose the best option for our own situation.
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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WestyBob
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Big brake kit. VC vs.GW... |
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I have done two with the VC kit and have been very happy.
Also check out SmallCar's kit.
Frankly I don't think you could go wrong with any of the three as long as the install is tight. |
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Team WorldTour
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 2427
Location: Der Vaterland
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 1:31 am Post subject: Re: Big brake kit. VC vs.GW... |
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I too have done the BBK from Gowesty AND VC.
I'm not sure which one was which, but I have had them on both of my vans, and I'm glad I did!
First set, Stock Brake Booster, H6 converted Westy. Could happily cruise the German Autobahn at 220kph, could also come to a screeching halt at a moment's notice with enough force to throw everything against the front seats!  (I say screeching halt, but never actually locked up the wheels!)
Second van, kinda weird, has both the BBK AND the Booster upgrade. It is a Syncro tin-top (at the moment), and though I have a soft pedal, the resulting braking force is anything but.......this too has the braking force to throw everything forward without locking up the front tires.
(Not to imply that I regularly need this, but to illustrate for test purposes...)
_________________
1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
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"Where am I going? And what am I doing in this handbasket?" -Nicodemus Jordan
When All Else Fails: Lather, Rinse, Repeat! |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 4:46 pm Post subject: Re: Big brake kit. VC vs.GW... |
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| If you can get a VW designed part vs. a small aftermarket maker, that's how I would go. It isn't rocket surgery to come up with brake parts that work, but there are things that aren't perfect about them. With VW SA I am assuming you're getting more thought and experience going into the choice of parts/design. |
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