Disk or not to Disk, that is my dilemma!

[Absouloot]

Typically this isn't really an issue. Most people would agree that disks are just the way to go, and I couldn't agree more. However I have an added problem, I am working on a rear end conversion to change from a swing axle to IRS. Again, no big deal. My issue is that I am looking at all the after market products and it seems that none of them offer an ebreak with the aluminum billet breaks. My car is street legal and to keep California legal status I have to have the ebreak (among so many other things )

Again, back to my dilemma, it seems the ebrake systems that are available, in the non-billet type, may not work/fit onto the 3x3 arms from what I am being told (but not confirmed). It's something about the depth of the disk and it hitting the plate that holds the bearing cup. ( I will be spending more time at the store today to see if that is true. )

I did see where someone on the forum that used BMW breaks on a project, does anyone have any suggestions? Oh, the last piece is that I am running the big 5 bolt pattern.

Thanks! I am getting rolling on my conversion project, not it would be niece to be able to stop!

[FJCamper]

Hi Absouloot,

Mixing and matching aftermarket parts is always a headache.

There is a big question. Why do you want to convert your swing axle to IRS? With a good camber compensator and the right shocks, for daily driver use or stoplight drags, the swing axle will work fine. If you're going road racing, the IRS is better.

You'll save time, money, and parts complications if you keep your swing axle.

FJC

[Jadewombat]

Typically this isn't really an issue. Most people would agree that disks are just the way to go, and I couldn't agree more. However I have an added problem, I am working on a rear end conversion to change from a swing axle to IRS. Again, no big deal. My issue is that I am looking at all the after market products and it seems that none of them offer an ebreak with the aluminum billet breaks. My car is street legal and to keep California legal status I have to have the ebreak (among so many other things )

Again, back to my dilemma, it seems the ebrake systems that are available, in the non-billet type, may not work/fit onto the 3x3 arms from what I am being told (but not confirmed). It's something about the depth of the disk and it hitting the plate that holds the bearing cup. ( I will be spending more time at the store today to see if that is true. )



I did see where someone on the forum that used BMW breaks on a project, does anyone have any suggestions? Oh, the last piece is that I am running the big 5 bolt pattern.

Thanks! I am getting rolling on my conversion project, not it would be niece to be able to stop!

If you have time, and some fab. skills with welding and cutting you can do your own with 914 calipers. The same technique could be applied with any external e-cable caliper(like the 914). I plan to use Mazda Turbo II rears for a vented rotor as they're wide enough. There are some aftermarket calipers out there.

I'll have to dig out the article and see if I can scan it in from an old Hot VWs. Essentially you use 914 calipers/rotors and T3 rear drum hubs. You clamp the e-brake cable arm shut over the rotor(to center it) and you fab. up some steel plate adapters. Clamping the caliper helps hold the adapter to the trailing arm while you weld it and centers everything. The longest part was grinding the T3 hubs to fit in the 914 rotor. Took a while, but it worked great on my friends '69 ghia.

[turbobaja]

I agree, caliper mount fabrication isn't too bad. Clamping with the park brake lever makes the fitting process much more simple and precise. Make sure to use a small shim between the edge of the rotor (outer circumferance) and the caliper housing channels to keep the caliper body in correct relation to the path of the rotor. Tuck it in close enough to keep the pads wearing just inside the outer edges of the rotors.

Sounds like the hard part might be fitting the rotor onto the trailing arm. Are you running 3x3 arms?

I wish I had a better pic with the mount or something (it's all in pieces right now) , but this is the kit made by AC Industries ( I think), baught it from So Cal. These are 1" wider (choose stock or 1" wider) and come with 12mx1.5 threads, or use the .560" holes and some 1/2" fine thread press-in studs . I think they're Rabbit calipers? Not sure. Came with park brake cables and tubes and bolted right up to stock T-1 IRS arms. Kinda heavy, ductile iron rotor, but seems strong. I had to fab the mounts because I caged the arms and messed up all the clearance for the caliper mounting area. No big deal.



Let me know if you want some more detailed pics of the mounts/trailing arms.

[Absouloot]

Thanks all!

To FJCamper, I am running a street legal rail. I need to post some pics. The reason I want to move to IRS is to get some travel out of it. Right now, I get all of 4 to 6 inches I think, I have never tried to measure it but it rides like a rock.

To Jadewombat, after shopping for parts today and figuring out what it's going to cost me to get all the parts for the IRS, it will be some time before I get to the brakes. However, I don't have the ability to fab much at all. I can do a lot of bolt on stuff, but if I have to use a torch or welder, I have to get help. (not that I can't so much as I live in a condo and they kinda frown on that kind of work )

To Turbobaja, yes, I am looking to do 3x3 arms. I was hopping to shave as much weight as possible that is why I was looking at billet solutions.

I am wondering if I could use a billet rotor and fit/fab a standard caliper with an ebreak. Another possibility, I was informed of today, that Neil has an ebreak solution that I am going to look up. The only problem with Neil parts is I just don't have the paycheck to match the parts.

[turbobaja]

A street rail with 3x3s Sounds cool! Have you looked around on the off-road forum here. Lots of 3x3 and disc brake stuff.

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewforum.php?f=28

Ya, you want some lighter weight breaks than these boat anchors, trust me.

And welcome to the forum(s).