Volkwagon Suspension and Disc Brakes?

I am currently doing a full restoration on 1957 356A coupe. I am going to use this for daily transportation when the weather permits. I want to know if it is possible to put a volks suspension and disc brakes on the car? If so where would be a place to find this. Thank you...

Sounds like a post looking for TC......

I'm sure TC can answer definitively. However, the "356 Porsche Technical and Restoration Guide", published by the 356 Registry has an article under Chapter 16, pgs. 271-274, which lists interchangeable parts between VWs and 356s. There are quite a few parts that can be used for front and rear suspension systems but it doesn't say much about the brakes. There is an article that walks you through a disc brake conversion.
A worthwhile reference book to have in your library.

Thank you.. I will get this book. Trying to save on the costs and also making a truly daily driver.

John,
The book is listed here. Just click on the Library tab.

It took me forever to straighten everything out as to what would actually work correctly. There is a lot of information on what parts interchange, it mostly comes down to grease seals and bearings. Posting on the 356 forums was an exercise in crucifixion. I barely escaped with my hide. The Porsche-to-Beetle info is ancient, and the Porsche parts are too expensive to source while the Beetle-to-Porsche info is sacrilege and erased from the Gospel according to Rennlist.

HOWEVER . . . . on the A and Pre-A 356's, you can exchange the link and king pin spindle and entire brake assembly with one from a link and king pin Beetle.

This will give you cheapo Beetle front brakes which perform pretty much like the original Porsche units but cost almost nothing to buy new or rebuild and are available new on sale or used EVERYWHERE.

If you want to upgrade to discs, you'll need a set SPECIALLY made for the link and king pin Beetle. They're available here:

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C18%2D4202
or most of the other VW parts vendors on the web. Aircooled.Net offers a cheaper price, but their site is down for upgrading.

Not really that expensive, considering what's included and what the cost would be for a "rebuildable" set of 356C brakes. A rebuilt and working set would be WAY too costly for the average bear. The front discs only came on the last of the 356's and are a VERY desirable, genuine Porsche upgrade for the 356 crowd.

In my case, I'm just now having a pair of stock link and ling pin Beetle spindles cut flat and the bearing shaft and caliper bracket from a pair of Ghia ball joint spindles welded on in a dropped position. This will let me run Ghia rotors and calipers with a 2.5" drop on the front of my 356 bolted to the Porsche arms. The only thing that will need changing is the tie-rod ends to match the late model Ghia spindle arms.

So . . . maybe not as clear as I could be, but what you propose is Easy Peasy and MUCH cheaper than using Porsche parts. Even if you stay with the early Beetle drum brakes you'll be way ahead of the game and well satisfied.

Luck,

TC

TC thank you so much. I am doing a full restoration and presently the body is being worked on. Have time to figure the rest out. Would love to chat with you some more on this. Here are a few pics http://img19.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pickup15cr1.jpg

http://img413.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pickup10wy4.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pickup25um7.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pickup25sj4.jpg

Your garage is SO killing me ! ! ! I'd move right in and live there, I can see a perfect spot for the computer/office from here.

Sweet restoration going on, where did you buy the GT-style engine lid? The louvers at the bottom, where they belong, look just PERFECT.


Oh, and a quick aside: move your images to here:

http://www.photobucket.com

It's free, opening an "account" is easy, the images are pretty big, they open quickly, and without any surrounding advertising or needless "information."

A lot of us from New England use it . . . 'cause we're . . . thrifty. Not cheap.

Luck,

TC

Took your advice and used photo bucket. Thank you.. Here are some more pics are her leaving for a full restoration.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o97/JSewards/DSC02001.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o97/JSewards/DSC02000.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o97/JSewards/DSC01999.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o97/JSewards/DSC01997.jpg

I used to live in a pink house too.

and if you have never visited Microsofts version of google earth (local Live), you can see through the front window too!

http://local.live.com/?v=2&sp=Point.qgdsz88khxgh_1314%20C%20St%20SE%2c%20Washington%2c%20DC%2020003-2343%2c%20United%20States___

That's a beaut John! Have you thought about installing wide five VW disc brakes? You can do that and then put on a set of four aluminum drum covers from CB Performance ($89.95) to complete "the look". Tony Garc