I converted to 4 wheel discs last year using an EMPI kit on standard VW wheels. I would feel safer going to a dual master cylinder system. What have you used to do this? Does it require replacing the reservoir as well? What brands did you use for the master cylinder?
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Wildwood immediatly comes to mind but suspect you then have to use their pedal assembly. Then maybe Varga with EMPI last. Here's EMPI one that claims to be made for the job - 16-9554. "If you are installing disc brakes to all 4 wheels the use of this master is mandatory. The stock master cannot supply the additional pressure needed. Fits all beetles. Bore: 20.6mm." $30. Dual feed reservoir is needed too.
http://www.jbugs.com/product/1...w-dual-circut-master. But cheaper elsewhere.
If you have old chassis with brake lines plumbed for a single master cylinder you will need to replace the hard lines at least to the rear I'd think. There are 22mm single cylinder master cylinders designed for dune buggies that work with 4 wheel disk brakes and would be an easier install - you just don't get the separate feed to front and/or rear for safety. It goes and your reliant on down shifting and hand brake.
In my opinion if your running all four discs its best to replace the stock single master cylinder with a dual master cylinder, I would definitely replace the brake fluid reservoir with a dual chamber reservoir with two hose barbs at the bottom. You can also get a reservoir that mounts directly onto the dual master cylinder.
You can purchase a dual master cylinder from any VW parts vendor, as for the brands ....to many to pick from EMPI, CSP and many more.
I went with an EMPI dual master cylinder and a CSP dual chamber brake fluid reservoir with two hose barbs at the bottom, also purchased front and rear stainless steel braided brake hoses, which still needs to be fitted.
I would also recommend to search this forum there is lots of helpful information on this subject.
BUT!
You should ask on here as to what dual-circuit master cylinder other people are using for 4-wheel disk brakes. 4-wheel disks take a different 2-circuit M/C than do front disks and rear drums, and there are a couple of different cylinder bores you can choose - the larger the better, usually, but see what others are using (like Type 3, Type 4 or 914) and how they are satisfied and go with whatever works well.
I've sometimes thought about going to a set of 914 rear brakes (they had the e-brake included) but it's been way in the back of my mind. Poking around for this thread I came across this product:
http://www.kustom1warehouse.ne...cbrakekitwebrake.htm
Anyone ever used them? It looks like a classic re-purposing of original Porsche (mostly VW in the case of the 914) parts, AND they work with your existing e-brake cables. Might be IRS only, but that's OK with me.
Those look quite tempting for the money.
Gordon- With a change of brackets (I'm pretty sure that's all it takes) they will fit short or long swingaxle or irs. The 914 stuff works well, but I seem to remember something about the master cylinder having to have enough volume, which (again, I'm reaching into the deep depths here, and it's really been fogged up by so much beer from my youth) I believe the earlier beetle cylinders didn't have. Check with the place you buy the brakes from for what's needed.
Edit- looking at the page again, the same kit fits either long spline swingaxle or irs, and just the short swing kit (bracket) is different.
Ted- Going to wide 5 requires a different hub or "hat" as the bolt circle is quite a bit wider- 205 for wide 5 vs 130mm for 4 bolt VW and 5 bolt Porsche.
My link to the EMPI 4 wheel disc brake master cylinder doesn't seem to work - here's another.
| |
| Disc Brake Master Cylinder | |
| If you are installing disc brakes to all four wheels, the use of this master cylinder is mandatory. The stock VW master cylinder can not supply the additional pressure or the correct bias needed in 4-wheel disc brake application. The answer is Empi's 20.6mm bore Dual Circuit Master cylinders. (For Brake Lines & Acc Click Here) |
| 01-16-9554-0 | 20.6mm DUAL CIRCUIT M/C, ALL STD. BEETLES | $ 30.95 |
I have 4 wheel disks from a 914 with e-brake built in. Standard dual master - German made units from CP1. Works fine.
Frank - Does the CP1 914 sourced units increase the rear track at all? I've got maybe 1/4" clearance now and can't go hair wider.
Frank - Does the CP1 914 sourced units increase the rear track at all? I've got maybe 1/4" clearance now and can't go hair wider.
One way to adapt 914 rear discs is to use a rear type 3 brake hub, and they widen the track by about 5/8" on each side. The Kustom 1 Warehouse kits in the link use an aftermarket one piece rotor/hub, so it would be best to ask them.
