RSK Upgrade help!

Hi All,
i have just purchased a 1979 RSK Replica by GP
the steering and brakes are a bit vague, are there any suggestions on brake shoes that will improve stopping power, also are polyurathane bushes worth fitting,or are they a bit much! (squeaking etc.) also are there any suggestions for good tyre choice, stickier the better.

any other front end upgrades that you can think of will be appreciated.

Thanks DeVo

Dear DeVo:

I fitted 11" Brembo discs and Brembo calipers to my RSK-718 Ryan Spyder that I built in 1999. I got it from one of the aftermarket suppliers in Southern CA. Cost of kit with spindles then was about $250. I believe this kit is the same as used on the later Karmann Ghis models. It stops too well--I had to remove a bit of pad surface to reduce stopping power as the brakes would lock in hard stops. Note: I am using the OE 4 hole wheels that came on the 1969 VW chassis I used. I am not sure if the more period-correct 5 hole wheels will fit this conversion. The kit's hubs were 4 hole versions.

Ralph Glorioso

Ralph, you could have solved the brake lock up problem by installing an adjustable proportioning valve. In the long run, it's better than grinding off pad material. I installed the valve on the rear brakes only to limit their hydraulic force and keep the back brakes from locking before the front brakes. Modulating the pedal kept the fronts from locking unless you pulled a panic stop than, all 4 brakes would lock