Beetle Brakes... Stock or not?

[sbpickup]

Good Morning all!

I am currently working on my next Grassroots Motorsports Challenge car and had a brake question.

For autocrossing and a few track days (maybe two a year) will the factory drum brakes on my 72 beetle (if maintained properly) be up to the task?

The car will have about 150 HP and will see a few drag passes as part of the event.

Any suggestions guys?? Any performance shoes out there?

Remember, I only have $2009 to spend TOTAL on the car for this event.

Thanks in advance!

Sean

[FJCamper]

Hi Sbpickup,

Drums in good shape will do the trick for autocross and a few hard drag stops.

Mintex shoes are what you want here.

Disk brakes, racing pads, etc., are for hard sustained braking. The big trick is to have CH Topping http://www.chtopping.com/hotvws/ drill your front drums and you'll have sustained braking too.

FJC

[helowrench]

If it were me, I would probably lurk fleabay, and find a set of ghia knuckles, and calipers. The only other change required is the hose itself, which probably needs changing anyway.

Rob

[sbpickup]

Thanks FJCamper, I was hoping you would chime in on this. Ill look into the mintex shoes. About what does it cost to have your front drums drilled? Do you have a picture of one that has been drilled?

helowrench, I agree in the ghia brakes. I have a set that will make it on the car after the Challenge in October.

The rules of the event allow you to rebuild the STOCK brakes for free (cost does not go against the budget) but any upgrade in brakes would be applied. Because of that if I can make the stock brakes work for the autocross that gives me more money to put toward the motor and the suspension.

Thanks All!

[helowrench]

cheap rear suspension is a cinch

Porsche 924/944/968 bars are a swap in item, avail cheap (I paid $10 on ebay), avail in multiple different sizes.
respline for a little lowering, kyb gr2 shocks.

the rear swaybar can be robbed from a 924/944 as well, you will just have to make mounts and endlinks for it.

Rob

[FJCamper]

Hi Sbpickup,

Here's set of rears drilled by CH topping. About $50 to $75 for the pair, but check for the latest prices:

Call (562) 432-0901

[email protected]

FJC

[sbpickup]

Thanks again FJ!

I emailed them this afternoon. They wanted $50 each plus shipping to drill them. I will probably hold off for now as I should be able to rebuild the Ghia brakes for less than that.

Thanks again!!