I spent the better half of yesterday w/ fellow listee John Wessels @ his shop European Motorsport (www.euromog.com). While he had my 16" front-end taken apart for CV boot replacement. We undertook some "archeological research" as John put it. I wanted to find out if the South African Big Brake Kits would fit the 16" steering knuckles. The conclusion is the rotors WILL fit. They are the same diameter as the stock 16" rotors which is about 11 inches. However, the mounting holes for the caliper on the 16" steering knuckles are designed to be approximately 1/2 inch outward to accommodate the larger 16" rotors. SA calipers w/ not work w/ the SA rotor in the 16". The 16" calipers appear to be interchangeable w/ 86-92 Vanagon/Syncro calipers. They are a bit heavier duty but the fit is the similar. Keep in mind that the SA calipers which have the wider keyway for the vented rotors are designed to space itself outward approximately 1/2 inch. This is done so that installing them on 14" Syncro knuckles can permit the use of the larger 11 inch rotors. Here's the scoop: If you use the SA calipers on 16" steering knuckles, you get about one full inch of outward movement of the caliper mounting position. Now all you have to do is find some rotor (like one from a big Mercedes sedan) of suitable diameter to have real bullet-train (to borrow MSDS's terminology) brakes. More archeological reports to follow on 16" parts. BenT San Francisco |
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