Date:         Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:34:07 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Need for upgraded brakes for engine conversion
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2007071407504164@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

>Sorry Andrew, I have to dissagree with you on the brake thing.
>VW type 3's were built as heavy duty, 1 ton rated worked vehicles and have
>brakes suitable for such use. The biggest problem is the whole brake system
>is now 15-27 years old, including the lines.

The brakes on 70s-80s VWs were poor at the best of time, even when
new. This includes Sciroccos, Golfs, T2s & T3s. The only way to cure
that is to replace them with better units.

>     I have driven vans with very squishy brakes and they definitely needed
>work.

I'm not talking squishy brakes here. The pedal feels hard enough, but
there is to little result from a hard shove.

>Most vans stop just fine. My 87 Westy, when it had stock brakes, went
>up and down mountains with 5 grown men and 5 hang gliders on top.  The
>brakes never faded.  Not once.

How fast were you going? I have to admit that I never faded the
brakes on my vans. They just didn't work well, even after complete
overhaul.

>     Do you need upgraded brakes. My opinion is no.  If you are going to
>throw some money into your brake system, a big brake kit might end up being
>cheaper in the long run.

Better brakes means more stopping power. Shorter stopping distance &
time may well save a life or three.

More power to the disc!
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut