Why 944?

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Bruce2

The Big disadvantage of the 944 brakes is the silly drum brakes within the rotor. Talk about a huge increase in complexity compared to a simple lever on the caliper.

Actually, I still see this as an advantage. With a hydraulic e-brake I also have a problem with yearly inspection or I need to run an independant (extra) fluid reservoir. Talk about complexity...

Do you think your FLAPS is gonna have those silly brake shoes in stock when you need them? Likely, you will have to order them (probably from California). Any problem with the CB caliper, your FLAPS will have it in stock. Same for the pads. Great if you are on a road trip.

The 'silly' brake shoes are actually IRS (super)bug brakeshoes... Bet you didn't know that huh? It makes sense also, as the complete steel IRS arm is essentially a VW part as well.

Funny n/body mentioned this, but for me a great benefit is the 'free' 5x130 porsche lug pattern on a 944 brake conversion as I only run P-wheels on all of my aircooled cars and with the extra off-set, most modern P-wheels with their large ET's fit right on without spacers or anything.

But everybody that wants the easy way out and mail-order a system that has less braking power (you can only judge this really if you have experienced both systems) and costs twice as much than having to visit a dirty (yuck!) scrapyard, be my guest.
But otherwise you're totally right, I only do the porsche braking swap for bragging rights and status Mwhahahah!

[Bruce2]

Originally Posted by Wally

The 'silly' brake shoes are actually IRS (super)bug brakeshoes... Bet you didn't know that huh? It makes sense also, as the complete steel IRS arm is essentially a VW part as well.

I just had the chance to work on some 944 rear brakes, and got to see those "silly" brakes first hand. They are not even close to Beetle rear shoes. First, the dia of the shoes are right around 7" vs 9.1" for a Beetle rear. Also, the 944 e-brake shoes are a lot narrower. I don't know where you dreamed it up that they were the same.

I also compared the mounting flanges. The 944 flanges push the wheel further out by 16mm compared to a 914 rotor on a Type 3 hub (also the CB rotohub) If your wheels have a small offset, this works against you.

I'm gonna do some weight comparisons soon.

[Panelfantastic]

Bruce, you are not helping the cause. You are shooting holes in years of mind washing and convincing that the Porky brakes are the only way to go. If my wife reads this, there is no way I will get to waste tons of money on the oversized eye candy/brakes I want. How dare you back up your blasphemy with actual comparisons and facts!


(I know Bruce has sense of humour, to anyone else who is offended, I'm only funnin' with Bruce about the brake debate)

Jeff-

[Steve C]

Hi

Ive got say that I was pretty unimpressed with E brake on my steel 944 arms that I had on my 1302. They would not lock the rear wheels and would not slow the car at speed, but they held OK on hills, I suspect that this was something to do with the VW lever - 944 E brake ratio.

Im going to use 944 system complete on my new car with the E brake lever mounted next to the drivers seat between the door, this might make entrance into the car a pain in the arse (in more ways than one).

When I had Porsche brakes on my 1302, I learnt to lip read, when I pulled up in traffic you could see people in other cars saying that bug has Porsche brakes on it.

Steve