Toying with the idea of 944 calipers/rotors

I've got a set for some reason. They are in my shop. Pretty nice shape front 4 pot calipers and rotors. I know the rotors are 5 lug, to my 4..... Has anybody done a bad A$$ 944 conversion? Wilwood used to make a bug kit, but im not sure they still do...

Keith,
There's a book written by Keith Seume:

http://www.amazon.com/Beetle-Performance-Handbook-Step---Step/dp/0760304696/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1318722633&sr=8-4

He goes through brake, engine, suspension, transmission upgrades. I seem to remember he covers the 944 conversion.

He has a website as well:
http://www.cal-look.com/

They would be overkill, but they would look cool! I'm still trying to think where and why I have a set! ;)


Joined that site, thanks.

Just off the top of my head I'd think you'd be opening a nest of snakes with that conversion on one of these cars.

Everything would have to be considered before starting - will the intended wheels clear the calipers? Will there be room in the wheel wells if wider wheels and larger tires are used? Any contact when turning?
Is the master cylinder big enough, or small enough to give balanced pressure to each caliper? How well would the small M/C of a VW do with the relatively large capacity cylinders in those calipers or would each application drain the little VW reservoir enough to let air into the lines?

They work well with a power brake system, but would they work as well without power assist? How would you add power assist to one of these cars? Can't be vacuum unless you want to install a vacuum pump - same with a hydraulic, you'd have to use 12v pumps I guess, and where will they and their associated wiring and hosing/lines go?

Probably a dozen more potential stumbling blocks before you could get good brakes, and you already have good brakes, right?

Kieth..... Be careful.... Some of these conversions increase the rear wheel width / track, causing tir fittment problems.(Especialy with standard tubs.Non wide body.)

My rear has 944 trailing arms. Go here for all the info.

http://vdubengineering.com/

I believe the 944 brakes require 16" wheels to clear the calipers. The NA and turbo both increase front track 13mm per side, and the spindles have to be modified.
They would be soo coool...

Ken, Porsche made a the 914 between 1970-1976 as an entry level car. The information you have from Henry is correct 914 rear rotors and VW Golg calipers with the Ebrake. I

I received a build list from Henry at IM which lists the rear discs as Porsche 914 discs with Golf calipers.

In addition I now have the book "How to modify Beetle suspension, brakes, and chassis for High Performance" by a James Hale and it contains info on the use of 944 components in the brake system.
So I'd investigate this possibility more thoroughly, Keith, especially if you find your current brakes to be inadequate to the job.

If I had those parts lying around I'd sure be interested in getting them working on my roadster because I don't much like the way it stops as it is now.

edit: I said above that I wondered what a 914 is...I've been put on Lyrica by my VA doctor and find it's making me brain sluggish but didn't realize until after this original post just HOW brain dead the stuff is making me. Sorry about this - of course I know what a 914 is.

Peter..........Thanks. See my edit above. Sheesh...this drug sucks, and isn't fixing what it's supposed to fix.

And yes, I think my rear brakes are working bettier than the smaller caliper front brakes. It feels like the bulk of brake power is in the rear and I'd rather the brakes gave me a nosedive type quick stop capability.

Keith, I believe it was the Roman philosopher Cutsus Wheelsoffus who once said, "If I were to hack the rear brake assemblies off of my Volkswagen, changing them out for something unintended, what would I be left with?"

That answer came about fifty years later, answered by another Roman philosopher, Jackus Standus. Standus' reply came only after spending forty-nine years working on and under Wheelsoffus' Volkswagen.
"You will wind up with immense frustration, a papyrus-weight of great proportions and, finally, you will die with a regret."

I'm jus' sayin' ...

But if Ken were in Europe in '70-76 the "Porsche" 914 would have had a Volkswagen emblem on the back!

http://tinyurl.com/3rwgtvl