Have some questions about brakes

[bugjamin]

Hi there everyone,

I am really confused about brake set ups.

I am looking to buy a brake set up for a beetle project that I am working on. I bought a set of porsche turbo twist rims with fronts 17 x 7.5 and rears 17 x 9. I would like the front end to be disk brakes and to use dropped spindles to lower (cb performance sells these). And the rears I was just going to use the drum and redrill for the Porsche pattern but I found out htat I am about an inch short for backside spacing.

I was told that if I use a set of porsche 944 rear brakes that I would increase the backside by about that amount? Is that correct?

What year would I need to buy if I were to go with the 944 brake set up for the rear?

Would this be a bad way to go?

Should I look at 944 brakes all the way around?

Would 944 brakes just be a bolt on mod or are there other things or what other things would I have to do to make them fit?

Do the front 944 brakes work on dropped spindles?

What parts would I need to do this the "right" way? and how would you handle the problem??

Would spacers be an option??

As you can see I have way to many questions and the more I learn the more confused I get about this

Please, Please, Please help me get the right set up to work best and fit my rims.

Thanks a ton,
Bugjamin

[zen]

look in the brakes forum or do a search for 944. there is tons of info already posted on it. you can also look at the tech articles for info.

[bugjamin]

thanks zen I did a search fo0r everything related to 944 prakes and seems as tho everyone is doing it a different way? is that true, is it really just a matter of buying parts that you can find and then testing for fit and trying to make it work?

I was really hoping that someone could tell me what the best way to go for attaching a set of turbo twist rims to my IRS beetle? I was just goin gto use rear vw drums re-drilled to fit the porsche pattern but ran into a problem with backside spacing and need to knwo the best (and an inexpensive) way to get these rims to fit.

Would adding a 1 inch spacer between the drum and the wheel be to big to go with, that seems to be the easy way to go? does anyone make these? At least so I can get up and running and later I can look into something more?

Thanks a bunch for any information that you can give me.
Bugjamin

[bug-er]

a search in this forum will bring up topics to answer all/most of your questions,
try also www.performanceghia.com theres a section on there about 944 brakes
and www.ricola.co.uk go to the section on the speedster, hes running 944 brakes on all four corners
hope that helps, i know all this as im currently deciding what to do brake wise see my thread
Adam

[Sandeep]

Here's some answers:



Hi there everyone,

I am really confused about brake set ups.

I am looking to buy a brake set up for a beetle project that I am working on. I bought a set of porsche turbo twist rims with fronts 17 x 7.5 and rears 17 x 9. I would like the front end to be disk brakes and to use dropped spindles to lower (cb performance sells these). And the rears I was just going to use the drum and redrill for the Porsche pattern but I found out htat I am about an inch short for backside spacing.

I was told that if I use a set of porsche 944 rear brakes that I would increase the backside by about that amount? Is that correct? NA brakes increase rear track by 22mm per side. This increase is due to the 944 hub design.

What year would I need to buy if I were to go with the 944 brake set up for the rear? NA brakes, look for1985 and earlier.

Would this be a bad way to go? Not a bad way, but might get a little expensive, based on your budget.

Should I look at 944 brakes all the way around? If you're looking for the Porsche 5x130mm pattern and looking at upgrading your brakes, then go for it. You need to determine what your driving style is before you make a decision on brake upgrades.

Would 944 brakes just be a bolt on mod or are there other things or what other things would I have to do to make them fit? For the rear they are a bolt on. You need to get some minor pieces to make the ebrake cables work. The front requires machining for the caliper adapter.

Do the front 944 brakes work on dropped spindles? Yes, with machining.

Also, check out this thread. Lots of great info to use.

http://www.germanlook.com/Forums/sho...?threadid=1709

Sandeep

[zen]

i would not redrill depending on the power you have. some guys are doing it fine. CSP sells drums with the 5x130 pattern. i have a set (unused but with pressed in studs) that may be up for sale as i may convert to 944 because i need the trailing arm track width.

1" spacer is fine for most applications. if you are hi-po, i wouldn't do it. hence the reason my stuff may go up for sale. i ended up with a 2316 and do not want to run the 2" spacers i bought now. i am looking to go to a full 944 rear end to get the close to 2". that will force me to upgrade the already upgraded from from unused ghias to 944 to maintain f/r bias.

944 brakes are nice, but not cheap. your solution just depends on your power and driving needs.

below is what i was going to use with my stock t1 engine and the 2.0l TIV i planned on swapping to. the 2316 changed everything. if you are interested, my stuff may be up for sale in a month or two. i also have a set of 1" spacers i have had in reserve. here is what i have on the car now that would go up for sale. none of this has ever seen the road yet. so it is all unsed.

front:
-ghia discs on ball joint spindles (stock height as i will probably go with Design 9 coil overs to reduce height since it is adjustable and the dropped spindles offer no flexibility) with tierod flip kit
rotors are drilled for 5x130mm with press in studs
-1 1/2" aluminum spacers with pressed in studs
-new pads of course

rear:
-CSP drums drilled for 5x130mm with press in studs
-all new brake components (shoes, cylinders, etc)
-2" alu spacers with pressed in studs
-stock backing plates

-spare set of 1" spacers

again, this combo is fine for stock engines or mild mod. really high powered need at least ghias all the way around.

[bugjamin]

Sandeep, thanks for the answers, they are exactly what I needed.

Zen Thanks, a bunch for the information, I would be very intrested in your set up that you are (might be) selling out. I'll keep a watch out to see if/when you put it up for sale and would love it if you let me know when you decide to sell, If I am still looking I would be intrested. Please excuse my ignorance but what is CSP and does CSP have a web site?

As of right now I am really not looking to do any real engine mods, so it sounds like some spacers would work fine. Where did you get your spacers that you currently have?

Are there any problems with balancing the wheels with spacers not being exactly right?

Bug-er I'll be checking out those links for more information thanks a bunch
Bugjamin

[bug-er]

CSP = custom and speed parts
www.customspeedparts.com

Adam