Date:         Tue, 5 Nov 2002 22:19:20 EST
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Drilled Rotors vs. Big Brake Kit - related Q
Comments: To: damoncampbellvw@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 11/5/02 6:45:39 PM Pacific Standard Time,
damoncampbellvw@YAHOO.COM writes:

<< A little while ago, i switched to 15" wheels as well, hoping to fit
larger, more powerful brakes on the front (although i can't complain that
they look better, too) ... however, since then the few people I've asked
about the performance of the big brake kit have said that it only improves
brake fade characteristics, and not overall raw stopping power. >>

Damon et al.

I have vehicles equipped with both big brakes and stock brakes. Plus I have a
16" Syncro equipped with LT rotors which are the same diameter as the SA big
brakes. I can say w/o hesitation that there is not a noticeable difference in
a regular bus. I'm not sure about Westies.

The SA caliper pistons are ever so slightly bigger. Combined with the larger
rotor, they theoretically increase your stopping power and fade resistance. I
just can't tell the difference in daily driving.

i am not fond of crossdrilled rotors. though they shed heat more readily than
solid rotors, they also remove material. material which is useful in
converting motion into heat. they are also prone to cracking around the
holes. though i am not personally acquainted with the rotors that Brian
Butler is considering, i have plenty of experience with crossdrilled rotors
in my other vehicles. the best was a 928 w/ massive S4 brakes. i once went
from 130mph+ to 40 mph in just a few seconds to avoid an inattentive lane
changer. hairline cracks resulted from this little adventure.

So unless you are going to be driving down long mountain passes in a heavily
laden Westy, the stock arrangement in good condition is more than adequate
for most people. IMHO of course.