VW Beetle - Uprated brakes?

[Jim320i]

Anyone know much about VW Beetles... 1972 shape if that helps... My friend just bought one and wants to get rid of the drum all round as its pants...


Anyone know much about them? Is there any braking systems that can be used from other cars that would uprate it etc? I had a quick look on google for him but couldnt find anything.

[320Touring]

hi jim.

I take it the car is a 1300?

The 'superbeetle' 1302/3s from 72 on came with mcpherson strut front suspension, and disc brakes.

If you can fab that front end on, then some porsche 968/928/944 sthff cn be redrilled to fit.

Be aware that none of this is 'bolt on'!

depending on what your mate gets partswise there are several combos that work.

Its a while since i messed around with this sort of stuff-i'd advise checking some 'dub forums, and google for guides!

[Jim320i]

I think he wanted something that just bolted on, but no worries, I'll tell him to get sign up to a forum of some sort.

[capri_rob]

One of my mates is well into these horrible turds and I've worked on them many years ago.

IIRC to get a disc conversion for the front you have to swap the whole front "Beam" over to one with Disc equipped hubs.

If he's not uprating the engine though the drums when properly set up should be perfectly acceptable for the piddly amount of power they have to handle

[Jim320i]

Well I had a go in it earlier and it just kept going when I put my foot on the brakes, I think it even speeded up a little. Hehehe. Perhaps he just need to look them over, although it was previously owned by my old man until my mate had it last week and thats something he would have checked over himself

[scottybeemer]

if its torsion bar front beam he cud fit spindles,disc & calipers for a 1500

[B7]

Or he could set alight to it and buy a proper German car.

[Jim320i]

Or he could set alight to it and buy a proper German car.

Would he be able to afford a Polo if he did that then?

[zaust]

Heres the link to an american company that has done loads of conversion kit's. Alot of the uk guys use them scince big boys toys went all H²O on us. Just campers might still have a link with them but will over charge.


http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/ind ... 86_104_105

[suchy]

The drums on these things work remarkably well if adjusted properly. No good for track work or slowing down from high velocity, but if just a bog standard 1300 then should be fine.
If it has a front beam (torsion bar) then a straight swap from a 1500 (came with discs) could be used and keep the standard rears.
Porsche fitment brakes (944) can be used alround and are perfect if you wanna run Fuchs rims (classic Cal look)
I'm guessing it's a standard front beam version or you'd have said 1303?

[Blitz]

They seem to think drums brakes were fine.