What about master cylinder?

There are zero offset rear disc brake kits (with E-brake).  There are larger bore disc brake dual circuit master cylinders.  CB Performance recommends a 4 PSI residual pressure brake valve for rear disc brakes.

Rear Wide-5 Disc Brake Kit with e-Brake, Zero Offset, VW Pattern – 5 x 205mm, fits ’68-’72 Bug, Ghia & Super Beetle | Classic VW Parts for Beetle, Bus, Ghia, Thing, Type 3 (socalautoparts.com)

With a correctly designed disc brake system, residual pressure valves are completely unnecessary.

If you have a swing axle, runout and axles sliding in and out can knock the pistons back and give a low pedal. Setting proper clearance(less than 0.005") in the bearing cap/seal carrier can mitigate this.

Runout isn't an issue with IRS rear ends.

"Upgrading" the master cylinder with the wrong part may not help you.

What brakes do you have now front and rear? What part # master cylinder?

Swing or IRS rear?

With manual, unassisted brakes the pedal pressure is higher. But even though your leg works harder, my 4 wheel discs(or even my old front disc/rear drums) stop great in short distances.

@LarryGK we need to know what you've got in order to help you.

@DannyP posted:

@LarryGK we need to know what you've got in order to help you.

Right. Busy day doing timing and a little Solex building.

Understanding that there's a limit to the effectiveness having never dealt with this car before, I'm investigating getting it as good as I can get it. I put my $ into safety and reliability. It stops pretty well. I just want to make it better.

So car came with EMPI front disc brake kit and whatever rear drums. Standard (I think it's D21) pads. Standard.  M/C looks like an EMPI like that AC Industries 19mm bore but I will check later. Bled fine. Good firm pedal.

Yes I have IRS.

Thanks sir.

A 19mm master should be OK with either 4 drums or disc front/drum rear.

Fits 1967-77 Bug, Ghia, or thing:

https://www.jbugs.com/product/...UEAQYASABEgI8kvD_BwE

There is a 20.6mm master available but that is usually reserved for 4 wheel discs.

https://www.jbugs.com/product/...UEAQYAyABEgKYq_D_BwE

Andy at SoCal Imports or Pete at Airkewld would be two guys to ask for guidance here, and I would defer to their expertise.

I'd make sure the rear shoes are adjusted out as far as possible(just a very slight drag) and get the brakes WARM with some repeated stops to bed them in a bit. Then see how they feel after that. You might be surprised that they work better.

Thanks Danny...yup bedding and adjusting shoes were done just like that. My days of running a Datsun 1600 Roadster in SCCA G Prod taught me that. Bad pic but shows what is in there now.

Existing M/C is Part Number 113-611-015B0

Interesting, 19mm Super Beetle Master is 113-611-015BH when I search.

I think yours is a 19mm.

Same number, but instead of BH or BO is 20.6mm with BDD suffix.

A lot of people want an easy touch power brake which is not what the brakes feel like even with my Im that has larger 911 disk brakes … some effort or rather more effort is required to stop the car.  You do get used to the pedal but having said that you can lock up the front brakes quite easily over a washboard road.

Thanks Ray.....Yeah, as stated initially my inquiry is  what recommendations the group has for good non power brake solutions for this car that they have experienced and what improvements they have made to get there.

(Unfotunately) I am old enough to remember good and not so good manual brake setups. All inputs are welcome and thanks.

@DannyP posted:

Interesting, 19mm Super Beetle Master is 113-611-015BH when I search.

I think yours is a 19mm.

Same number, but instead of BH or BO is 20.6mm with BDD suffix.

Thanks Danny....I know I ran into that same nomenclature scenario when looking it up. SoCal Imports lists it with an ""BA" suffix. Anyway it appears this is about as good as I am going to get and then a decision of adding the discs to the rear. The kit that does not increase rear track for sure.

If you add rear discs definitely swap to the 20.6mm master. It works very well with 4 wheel discs.