Upgrading 2009 VS Brakes

Wide 5 wheels - purely aesthetics as the originals were wide 5 up to 1964 (some early models were even 16" diameter).  It tends to get quite expensive.   

What wheels are on the car now? Are you happy with them? Are you looking to change wheels? You already have discs on the front, so just adding discs to the back isn't as expensive as changing bolt patterns is going to be, as you'd be looking at replacing the front rotors (at minimum) as well as new wheels. I can't help you with the master cylinder. Al

Cole Thompson- posted:

If I do this, how do I decide if I want to stay with 4 lugs or go to 5? What is the reason you'd go with one over the other?

Esthetics.

Going with a Porsche narrow or wide bolt pattern gives you a greater choice of wheels, but genuine Porsche wheels are getting very expensive.

Going to a narrow Porsche bolt pattern means you will have to buy new front rotors to go with your new rear brake kit, and a wide 5 Porsche setup will mean you will have to buy a new brake kit for the front too.

As Wolfgang mentioned, it can get expensive.

I said aesthetics but maybe it's more nostalgia.  Also remember that you or tire place will need special adapter to balance the tires.  

If you run hub caps it seems like the only reason for wide 5s would be for a more authentic hole pattern (the 8 or 10 holes). I think Beck may have a 4 bolt wheel with the authentic hole pattern.

Michael McKelvey posted:

If you run hub caps it seems like the only reason for wide 5s would be for a more authentic hole pattern (the 8 or 10 holes). I think Beck may have a 4 bolt wheel with the authentic hole pattern.

They do http://www.beckspeedster.com/b...45boltwheelpage.html

Michael McKelvey posted:

If you run hub caps it seems like the only reason for wide 5s would be for a more authentic hole pattern (the 8 or 10 holes). I think Beck may have a 4 bolt wheel with the authentic hole pattern.

I agree with you Michael- why go to the trouble (and expense) of running wide 5 wheels if you're just going to cover them up with hubcaps?

Thanks everyone and sorry for the late response, how my responses are going into my junk folder and I didn't notice them.

 

 Thanks everyone and sorry for the late response, how my responses are going into my junk folder and I didn't notice them.

 

I would like the rear drum brakes, but that comment by Kirk that the existing master cylinder will not power four disc brakes still haunts me.

Dies anyone know if this is accurate or not? If it is true, how hard is it to go with a new master cylinder?

I like those Beck wheels! I currently have the chrome wheels from VS, how does the silver powder coat look with a chrome nipple cap on it? 

Cole Thompson- posted:

Thanks everyone and sorry for the late response, how my responses are going into my junk folder and I didn't notice them.

 

 Thanks everyone and sorry for the late response, how my responses are going into my junk folder and I didn't notice them.

 

I would like the rear drum brakes, but that comment by Kirk that the existing master cylinder will not power four disc brakes still haunts me.

Dies anyone know if this is accurate or not? If it is true, how hard is it to go with a new master cylinder?

I like those Beck wheels! I currently have the chrome wheels from VS, how does the silver powder coat look with a chrome nipple cap on it? 

Kirk mentioned the same thing to me. When I went to So Cal Imports (AC Industry disc brakes) to purchase the rear disc brake kit they said the same thing. I gave Kirk his master cylinder back and used the new master cylinder for having 4-wheel disc brakes.

It's not an expensive part, but I can see it being a PITA job when you have a fully assembled Speedster.

$45 buys you a 20.6 mm diameter master cylinder vs std 17 mm one.  2 hr at most to install and re-bleed system.

http://www.jbugs.com/product/1...w-dual-circut-master

Buyer be aware!  Price may sound good but what brand? 

Like the original. Wheels were silver & not chrome.

I currently have chrome 8-hole wheels on a silver car. I would like the 10-hole wheels, but Carey can't get them chrome from the manufacturer, so I would have to get them stripped and chromed.

If my car was any color other than silver, I would go for the silver wheels, but I don't want to introduce another shade of silver & I like the chrome :-/
>

"...how does the silver powder coat look with a chrome nipple cap on it? "

I don't think the nipple hubcaps will fit.  The Beck rims more closely match the 356C disk brake rims, which are made for the flat hubcaps with center emblems.  Check with Carey to be sure.

You can get stuff powder coated "chrome" - It doesn't sparkle on flat surfaces but would look fine on wheels.  Good chrome plating is just too expensive now days.

Cole, you will have to upgrade your master brake cylinder if you want to change your rear brakes to disc.

If you do go that route I recommend going with a quality product (when it comes to brake parts and tires I believe it's a good idea to buy the best you can afford)

Here's two examples:

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/B...-p/113-611-015bd.htm

 

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/B.../113-611-015bdgr.htm

 

 

Granted the EMPI one I posted is not highest quality but it does have the larger displacement that you want to push the larger pistons out - stock is like 17 mm and this one is 20.6 mm.

Just as a side note I have a regular master with 4 wheel discs and it works ok.  No scary moments for me thus far.......

Frank C. posted:

Just as a side note I have a regular master with 4 wheel discs and it works ok.  No scary moments for me thus far.......

How would you describe the pedal feel and movement?

Fine Al. I tend to pump a little first but no ill feeling.  Maybe a larger master would work better but I have no complaints after two seasons. Solid pedal.

If you have the dual reservoir master cylinder it will work fine. I was told the same thing and have been running rear discs for 6 years. The only issue I remember was the E brake was a bitch to get working. The car REALLY stops. 

majorkahuna posted:

If you have the dual reservoir master cylinder it will work fine. I was told the same thing and have been running rear discs for 6 years. The only issue I remember was the E brake was a bitch to get working. The car REALLY stops. 

Same with me and my brakes perform great-very good/solid pedal feel.