Re: Alternative big brakes (was UFO Conversion, Stage 1)

[Max Menna <mennamp@codetel.net.do>]

The problem with most of those brands listed is that they are race
brakes.  They require rebuilds, at the minimum, once a year.  They are
great products and a good choice for the enthusiast who doesn't mind or
because of their personality ;-) checks their brakes often.  Factory
calipers are less sensitive to neglect and things like dust boots around
the pistons will help them last longer between maintenance checks.
Sport Compact did a write-up on a Wilwood conversion on a third gen VW
Jetta it received good reviews with the warning of some rattles and
frequent rebuilds.  The rebuild kits are cheap and the process is quick
and easy.   Blaufergnugen was selling a kit like this.
Now a Porsche conversion is a great upgrade.    They should provide all
the performance improvements with the comfort of a factory setup. It is
even German :-)
The bottom line is always $$ but there is also an almost unlimited
selection of pad qualities for those American race brakes (for cheap).
My $0.02.  I still have my G60s on my 5kTQ because I am lazy and cheap.
Max Menna

The Murphy-Fahlgren Family wrote:

> Instead of using expensive Porsche parts, has anyone considered
> using big stuff of American manufacture?  I'm thinking big circle
> track parts, maybe Wildwood, RebCo or Baer.  They are certainly a
> lot cheaper than stuff from across the ocean for those of us in
> the US, and since you are going to fabricate bracketry et al,
> why not?
>
> Eric Fahlgren
>
> Greg Johnson wrote:
> >
> >     I just completed Stage 1 of the UFO conversion on my '91 Audi
> > 200-20v.  I wanted to publicly thank some listers and new friends,
> > because without them, my little project would not have taken place.
> ...
> >
> >     Stage II will be BIRA's Boxster calipers/A8 rotors upgrade.
>
> --
> The Murphy-Fahlgren Family            Try to take over the world.
> efhome@adams.com                                  Canton, MI, USA