rear disk brake conversion

[shadyduk1979]

perhaps my memory is foggy but wasn't someone working on a rear disk brake conversion that was less expensive than the ebay kits or buying 323 rear control arms? Did it happen?

[Layne]

It's not really possible to sell a kit for less. If you make your own of course it is. Nic and I both are working on homemade setups (more theory than actual work in my case). It's really a simple problem, but nothing is cheap these days.

[BoomerDJ]

It's not really possible to sell a kit for less. If you make your own of course it is. Nic and I both are working on homemade setups (more theory than actual work in my case). It's really a simple problem, but nothing is cheap these days.

i really dont know much but wouldnt we just need someone to make adapter brackets to fit e30 rear calipers on a rotor that would fit? that shouldnt be too hard right?

[jrcook320]

not hard, but machine work is expensive.

[BoomerDJ]

not hard, but machine work is expensive.

not if your still in school and can do it for a class

does someone know where i could get some specs on the e30 caliper and disc? i cant seem to find anything

[bflan2001]

someone get this man some specs, please! i would be more than happy to 'demo' a set for you, dj

[BoomerDJ]

someone get this man some specs, please! i would be more than happy to 'demo' a set for you, dj

so would i haha, if the brackets are all that need to be made to fit e30 calipers, well then i plan on doing this and plan on selling the pieces or the specs of the pieces for cheap enough for all e21 goers to enjoy the performance and safety of 4 discs

[Layne]

No parking brake = no pass inspection.

[dhlthr]

No parking brake = no pass inspection.

Yeah, people were talking or have used VW rear calipers this allows for an easy parking brake fix. Do a search for what model.

[TheNeek]

I have postponed all goodie projects until the car is back from the booth, reassembled and driving.

[Layne]

Yeah, people were talking or have used VW rear calipers this allows for an easy parking brake fix. Do a search for what model.

Yes I know, this is what 2002parts.com sells. (also on ebay I think) If you add up the cost of all the components though, you're left with about $100 for the customs brackets. It's a fair price, and unless you make the brackets with your own hands or find the calipers really cheap you can't save any money.

I think its worth noting that no one on this forum NEEDS rear disk brakes.

[bflan2001]

I think its worth noting that no one on this forum NEEDS rear disk brakes.

nobody really 'needs' any mod they do to their car, but that doesn't stop us

[Estebs]

nobody really 'needs' any mod they do to their car, but that doesn't stop us

[BoomerDJ]

Yeah, people were talking or have used VW rear calipers this allows for an easy parking brake fix. Do a search for what model.

does anyone know what vw calipers are used, i email that guy a long time ago and he would sell the brackets for 100, but would not tell me any information about any of the parts in the kit, obvious business move of course, but is anyone running his setup?

[Layne]

nobody really 'needs' any mod they do to their car, but that doesn't stop us

HA I probably know that better than anyone, I was just pointing out that there's no use moaning about the cost when you can simply opt to not buy them.

does anyone know what vw calipers are used, i email that guy a long time ago and he would sell the brackets for 100, but would not tell me any information about any of the parts in the kit, obvious business move of course, but is anyone running his setup?

I think someone told which models they fit the last time we talked about this. They were quite expensive new if I recall.

[jrcook320]

I think its worth noting that no one on this forum NEEDS rear disk brakes.

Depends on what you do with your car. Tell me that next time you're going 115 down the back stretch of your local track.

[BoomerDJ]

Depends on what you do with your car. Tell me that next time you're going 115 down the back stretch of your local track.

i do plan on tracking my car once eveything is tuned so rear disc are in the picture

[hot323i]

Slightly off topic. In addition to the trailing arms, calipers, lines, and rotors what else is needed to do this swap. Any help is appreciated.

[jjgbmw323]

No parking brake = no pass inspection.

Thats the main reason why I have questioned not using the e30 rear calipers.
Is there a work around for this????

PS: my 323i does have rear disks...but I want to upgrade.

[FranzE21]

Vented drums... Doooo it.

[skitzone]

Vented drums... Doooo it.

Please explain? *pauline hanson voice*

[SRC60]

On the 2002 rear disc conversions you use Golf/Jetta calipers/brackets from MkII's. I would think the Mk III's would also work. I used calipers from an Audi as they were the same. You can also use Golf/Jetta Mk IV calipers (they are aluminum) with the Mk II brackets. Not exactly sure of the years but the Mk IV calipers I have are off a '99 Jetta. The all have the emergency brake built into the calipers so it is just a matter of adapting your emergency brake cables to fit. Mk II stuff is very common in the local pick-n-pull.
By the way the 2002 conversion uses the Mk I (Rabbit) front rotor and it is 9.6". Mk II and later fronts are all vented discs and will not work with the rear calipers.
Hope this helps.
Steve.

[FranzE21]

Please explain? *pauline hanson voice*

The drums are quite substancial in these things. Now primary problems with these devices of reducing speed, is that they reduce speed and heat up, and then wear unevenly and then just shit themselves. So they used to put cooling fins on them in the olden days, much like you would see on an aircooled 2 stroke motor.

Heres my proposition, and i doubt it would get off the ground but its interesting none the less, instead of having cooling fins that are alligned with the rotational surface of the drum but instead have cross fins that are pointed towards the rims on an angle, taking advantage of the high pressure zone and cutting into the air and cooling the drums. of course you would have to cast them, and by then you have hyper improved drums, but they are still drums. You would have turbine drums...

I guess with a rear disk conversion it leaves opportunities for such kits like from the big brake people.

But whatever goes, it was an interesting idea none the less ( for me at least)

Franzen

[peperry]

On the 2002 rear disc conversions you use Golf/Jetta calipers/brackets from MkII's. I would think the Mk III's would also work. I used calipers from an Audi as they were the same. You can also use Golf/Jetta Mk IV calipers (they are aluminum) with the Mk II brackets. Not exactly sure of the years but the Mk IV calipers I have are off a '99 Jetta. The all have the emergency brake built into the calipers so it is just a matter of adapting your emergency brake cables to fit. Mk II stuff is very common in the local pick-n-pull.
By the way the 2002 conversion uses the Mk I (Rabbit) front rotor and it is 9.6". Mk II and later fronts are all vented discs and will not work with the rear calipers.
Hope this helps.
Steve.

Thanks for the helpful info! That should give us a bit more insight into this conversion.

[SRC60]

On the old solid axle Corvettes, they used a cooling fan that fit between the axle flange and the drum. It was stamped metal and would pull air in the large openings cut in the backing plates. The openings had screens to keep debris out. This was used on the race cars of this period.
Still no where near as good as disc brakes for disappating heat.