Disc Brake conversion kits for 356

[JTR70]

This Thread is to explore all the braking system conversion kits available which can be retro-fitted onto the 356. The choices are varied from mild to wild depending one how much your willing to spend. Thanks to the sand car and off road racing industry there are numerous conversion kits. Luckly the suspension components are almost identicle so the 356 owner can take advantage of the tech developed for VW. Please share any kits you know of or have experience with. Thanks! Justin

Economy cast iron Wide-five disc brake conversion kit.

Might require a vw spindle or drop-spindle if desired but after that it would be a direct bolt-on to your 356 front trailing arms.

[JTR70]

CB performance rear disc brake conversion kit with parking brake. I know that the rear axle bearing and seal kits are the same for VW swing axle to 356 so this kit should be a direct bolt-on.

[JTR70]

Little more trick conversion by CNC with alloy hub. A buddy had these on his swing axle sand rail and worked beautifully. Especially when you consider they had to deal with tall paddle tires. I like the large holes in the center; really look trick and remind me alot of the same holes the old time racers used to drill into the GT drums on the Carrera Abarths and Spyders back in the day. Justin

[JTR70]

Another rear kit offered by Poly Performance

[Restomod]

I am going to use the basic kits, wide 5 ,drop spindle in the front and a parking brake IRS in the rear. I think the zero offset set up will be best. I am going to use a aftermarket pedal set to. Maybe one of the sand rail or a Wilwood or Tilton set if I find a set fore the right $.
Thanks for starting this Justin it will help get the info out there.

[MMW]

http://airkewld.com/products-page/front-disc-brake-kits/1955-65-porsche-356-front-disc-brake-kit-stage-2-5x205mm/

This is a kit from Airkewld. Made in USA, no far east stuff. One nice thing about this is the bolt pattern can be changed. It is three pcs. hub, rotor & bolt pattern so you can go wide or small 5.

http://airkewld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Airkewld-Stage-2-Wide-5x205mm-BAD-Series-brakes.png

[JTR70]

Thanks Mic.

yes, they offer some killer looking disc brake kits! here are a few images:

Porsche 911 lug pattern...

[JTR70]

A little trickier looking still... I really like these!

Rear

Front

[JTR70]

Here is the front conversion kit that Automotion offers.

Just basic no frills cast iron assemblies with single piston calipers. All if not most of the components probably manufactured in China. Price is 750.00.
Same basic kit So Cal Imports sells (photo 1 on page 1)
Greg, Are you offering any of these kits through Vintage warehouse?

[JTR70]

Disc brake kit offered by Zims

Again same basic offered by the other two vendors above. However Zims offers two versions of this kit to work with either the VW type 1 Pre-A and 356AT1 spindle or the later version 356AT2/356B spindle. (stronger shank and later style bearing) Kit price: 750.00

[merbesfield]

The Air Kewld clearly look like the nicest option out there, but not inexpensive. Does anyone have any experience w the basic Chinese kits, which Brock is referring to? I like the price, but hesitant about using inferior Chinese shit parts, if this is the case. I am soooo sick of poorly manufacture Chinese tools/stuff that I try to avoid them if at all possible. Thanks, Mark

[merbesfield]

Another question, Is a single piston enuf to stop these cars effectively? I realize many cars including 911's use single pots, but if you are upgrading should one consider the two pot AIr Kewld system or would it be overkill?

Edit, it looks like the AK setup is not two pots.

[MMW]

I think I read that the Airkewld set up is about 30# lighter than the cast iron set up. That's a pretty big difference.

[JTR70]

Thats alot! Especially when your talking rotating mass and unsprung weight.

Mark, that might be thier base offering as far as calipers go. Other photos show those really cool Wilwood units. These cars really weigh nothing so I am quite certain the single piston/ single pot calipers are more than adequate to do the job; especially for street driving demands.

Another shot of the AirKewld unit with what looks to be 4 piston Wilwood's. Interesting shocks too! Air adjustable??

[merbesfield]

Does anyone know what the black finish is? I assume its anodized aluminum. I wonder if it has any affect stopping? Also, as it wears and exposes the silver and needs a refinish, then what do you do?