944 brakes interchangability
 

I'm starting to collect parts for a 944 brake conversion on my 1302. As I understand it, I can swap lower control arms from a 1303 and switch struts to be able to mount 944 spindles. I already have 88' turbo rear trailing arms and 84' non-turbo rear hubs. I'm not sure how they're supposed to fit together, but it's looking to me like maybe the older stuff will not directly mesh with later model 944 parts. I ask because I suppose that before I just assumed that you could mix and match 944 parts all willy-nilly. ANyway, when I do the front end, turbo brake calipers (four-pot) won't fit on early spindles/hubs? This is my first fix up car and I can't wait to get four wheel disks, but it'd be great to get some feedback before I make a bunch of first-hand mistakes that could be avoided by talking to guys who've already done the thing.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

OH yeah, also, will "cookie cutter" rims clear the later model turbo rotors/calipers, or is 15" too small. I'll be running wide fiberglass fenders, so I don't THINK wheel clearance will be an issue (even with the ABS, alum trailing arms). Am I nuts?

The 1984 rear hubs are from ther steel 944 arms which are basicly beetle arms. 1985.5 to 1986 are the early aluminum trailing arms and 1987 and later are the wider late style trailing arms. I often use places like www.pelicanparts.com to cross reference part numbers for interchangability. :)

thanks for the info! I might be picking up some 86 turbo front brakes soon, so along with any other miscelaneous parts I'll need to hook those up, I'll try and get the right hubs. Building cars takes forever.

Tell me about it.... I'm going on 4 years now... :rolleyes:

If you are not going to use the 84 rear hubs, I am desperately in need of a pair to get my beetle on the road... Email me if they are for sale. w8t_4_me@hotmail.com

1302 /944 front how
 

i have a 72 1302 what do i need for putting 944 brakes on the front i understand the rear are they the same as a regular type 1 bj spindle any help is greatly welcome

From what I've gathered, it's easiest to swap front suspension to 1303 (only up until 74?) spec and use the 944 spindle, hub, brakes. I think you may then have to fiddle with alignment, but I won't know until I finish the conversion myself. Just got the lower control arms today! There's another thread somewhere on this board that talks about it.

From my notes:
strut bearings 71-73
spring perch 71-73
strut housings 74-79
control arms 74-79
sway bar 74-79

Good luck! Let me know if you get yours set up.

You're on the right track Paul, do a search in this forum, I have posted long ago what's needed to do this modification.