Disk brake conversion for a 1960 Karmann Ghia

isky Officially Full-On Dubber

257 posts · joined May 2009 · 8 Jun 2009, 9:19 am

#717288

Hey all,

Im wanting to put disk brakes on the front of my ratty 1960 Karmann and was hoping to get some guidance on how to go about it. Id like to do it in the most safe but cost effective way. Can disk brakes from other makes and models be used?

I have a mate who's a mechanic for the RACQ giving me a hand but he's also unsure about what's compatible etc.

Ive looked at a few threads regarding disk brakes but thought it easier if i asked my own question 🙂 Any help would be appreciated...

Cheers!

Ant

my Karman looks worse than my avatar....seriously!

...but i love it more than words can say

1960 Karmann Ghia
1961 Karmann Ghia
1975 Bug
1998 Transporter LWB
1992 Nissan Maxima

www.iskyC96.com (awesome corsets 😉)
www.moonstarmagic.com

themadpostie Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 8 Jun 2009, 7:21 pm

#717401

John Sherman of Volks Conversions on the Gold Coast has kits to suit anything you want. Prices start at about $770 per pair. Kits are fully inclusive. You wont need any other parts to complete.

I know there are a couple of other suppliers but I'm unfamilar with them.

isky Officially Full-On Dubber

257 posts · joined May 2009 · 8 Jun 2009, 8:31 pm

#717422

thanks themadpostie,

just out of curiosity what is the difference between those kits and the ones i see online at say 'cip1' that start at $235 for complete disk brake kits? Im all for supporting Aussie business etc but if i can save a few hundred ill probably go that route. Cheers!
Ant

my Karman looks worse than my avatar....seriously!

...but i love it more than words can say

1960 Karmann Ghia
1961 Karmann Ghia
1975 Bug
1998 Transporter LWB
1992 Nissan Maxima

www.iskyC96.com (awesome corsets 😉)
www.moonstarmagic.com

johnnyk Casual Dubber

48 posts · joined Jun 2006 · 8 Jun 2009, 9:49 pm

#717444

I am in the process of rebuilding the whole front end of my link pin beetle (Adjusted are getting welded into the beam, and installing SACHS Shocks) and have purchased a Wide 5 front disk brake kit from Vintage Vee Dub.

They are costly at $1300 a set, but you can't put a price on safety.

The car should be back on the road in a few weeks. I will let you know how it goes.

Cheers,
John

isky Officially Full-On Dubber

257 posts · joined May 2009 · 8 Jun 2009, 11:05 pm

#717463

Shweeet! look forward to it John....Remember the pics 😀

my Karman looks worse than my avatar....seriously!

...but i love it more than words can say

1960 Karmann Ghia
1961 Karmann Ghia
1975 Bug
1998 Transporter LWB
1992 Nissan Maxima

www.iskyC96.com (awesome corsets 😉)
www.moonstarmagic.com

REDKG Officially Full-On Dubber

327 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 9 Jun 2009, 10:17 am

#717502

caution. be carefull with what you fit on the front end of a KG. anything that widens the track will eventually damage the guard. the kit from shermans retains the same track and the vintage veedub kit narrows the track. not sure about the cip1 kits but they will certainly cost you more than $235 aussie dollars. You can convert to 4 stud brakes by machining the rotors but again this works fine on a beetle, you will have clearance issues on a KG.

isky Officially Full-On Dubber

257 posts · joined May 2009 · 9 Jun 2009, 10:53 am

#717513

thanks for the advice REDKING, Im not overly savy with how disk brakes work but my mate who's helping me will sure understand what your saying so will let him know. Your correct, that was U.S dollars and didn't have delivery included so it will be a couple hundred on top of that im sure... but still worth looking into 🙂

Cheers!

my Karman looks worse than my avatar....seriously!

...but i love it more than words can say

1960 Karmann Ghia
1961 Karmann Ghia
1975 Bug
1998 Transporter LWB
1992 Nissan Maxima

www.iskyC96.com (awesome corsets 😉)
www.moonstarmagic.com

REDKG Officially Full-On Dubber

327 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 9 Jun 2009, 11:01 am

#717515

correction. john sherman has 2 types of wide 5 disc brake kits. his original kit does alter the track , the later kit works fine on an early KG. Go for one pf the local kits, Vintage or sherman, that way if you have any problems you are dealing with a local.. Then again you could fit narrow tyres (ie; 135s) but this opens another debate about safety and handling etc. Don't forget to set up the steering stops to prevent the tyre rubbing. The forward bolt that mounts the brake backing plate to the steering knuckle is used as the steering stop, alter how far it protrudes.