Karmann Ghia Brakes

VW underneath a classic Italian body design.
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Rderishe
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Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2020 4:34 am

Karmann Ghia Brakes

Post by Rderishe »

I have a 73 Ghia USA spec but exported from the factory to Japan. I imported from Japan in 2003 and did a full body-off restoration over 4 years. She is RHD which is the reason I got her as we drive on the left here in UK. She is fitted with disc brakes upfront and drums on the rear. The brakes pass all UK tests but are no were as good as modern cars. Has anyone upgraded their brakes by installing a servo, if so how, or fitted different calipers.
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Max Welton
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Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2002 12:01 am

Re: Karmann Ghia Brakes

Post by Max Welton »

A servo? Like for power assisted brakes?

Max
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FJCamper
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Re: Karmann Ghia Brakes

Post by FJCamper »

A brake booster (servo, power brakes et al) should not be necessary on a light car such as the Ghia. We road race our 1970 Ghia on original factory ATE calipers front and rear, with a 20.6mm "disk brake" master cylinder (rather than the factory 19mm) and Porterfield R4-S pads. This was our upgrade from ventilated rear drums, which never caused any trouble. Watch the video clip and judge for yourself how our brakes perform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgd30thmPsc

You will hear the front tow hook rattling at idle.
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