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Re: [T3] Brake Caliper Compability


On 29 Nov 2002, at 1:00, Shad Laws wrote:

> I thought only the late T3 had 42mm calipers with the 3" bolt spacing, while
> the earlier ones had the same as the T1 with 40mm and a 2.25" bolt spacing.
> Am I incorrect?

That's incorrect. Both early and late type 3 calipers have 42mm pistons.  
This is why the rest of the brake parts, MC and rear cylinders, could remain 
the same when the calipers changed and still maintain proper brake balance. 
Type 4s and 914s used this same diameter. For type 3s, the only change 
was a change in pad area, which just made for longer pad lifetime. Late type 
4 and 914 calipers added thicher pads, but still maintained the original 42mm 
pistons. 

> BTW, 3" bolt spacing is VERY common... also the same as cars like the
> 1978-83 BMW 320i with 48mm calipers that just about bolt right on... :-)

Right, I think it's clear that in any given era Ate machined lots of caliper 
versions from the same castings, but you have to look deeper to find out 
what all the effects of swapping would be. For example, note that the piston 
area difference between 40 and 42mm calipers is more than 10%!  

-
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054
USA

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