Looking at the disc brakes on the front of my car, I was trying to determine the maker. Only identifying marks are on the caliper carriers. They are a yellow metalflake color with the word Vargas on them as well as the number 1502.
Are these caliper carriers indicative of the system being made by Vargas or are these a component part of some other brand?
Thanks.
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Bob-
Vargas is a company (Brazilian?) that manufactures brake parts. Various kits (EMPI, CB, AC Industries, et al) use their calipers and pads. It'd be pretty hard to know what kind of kit you had by the Vargas P/N, even if you knew it.
For instance, CB's wide 5 kit used some Varga calipers, and some from another manufacturer. If you call looking for pads for one of their kits, they'll ask what calipers you have.
Generally, EMPI brakes have (bent) mild-steel caliper brackets, CB has cast. If I were a betting man, I'd bet a cup of dark roast that you've got EMPI.
From CIP1's website:
We stock 2 brands of this replacement caliper, our OE Brand caliper is made in China by a major OE manufacture for the automotive industry. We also sell the VARGA Brand caliper made in Brazil by Varga/TRW. Either caliper is very good quality but the Chinese made part is a little cheaper in price.
Varga brand calipers (or TRW, or no-name china stuff, etc) are basically a copy of the original ATE/Ghirling Ghia/Type 3 caliper that gets used in all the basic vw front disc brake conversion kits. The primary difference in those various calipers, I believe, was whether they use 1 pin or 2 pin brake pads and single or dual bleeders.
Thank you gentlemen.
