Ken, early Vanagons came with both ATE and Girling brand calipers. They
use the same pads and bolt to the same knuckles but take different
rebuild kits and have slight differences in the pins that hold the pads.
VW used both vendors for early years. I worked on an 82 Westy with the
small Girlings a few weeks ago.

The later 'larger' calipers are also Girling. VW switched to the larger
caliper and pad when they went to the more powerful motor. I have owned
several Vanagons with both types of brake. If you've owned both and
can't tell that the newer larger caliper and pad stop better then I just
don't know what else to say.

Another advantage I see for the larger caliper is they seem to wear pads
more evenly. The old fixed mount dual piston calipers have more problems
with uneven wear in my experience.

I am going to measure the relevant dimensions of the 2 front brake
system as best I can and will follow up with what I find.

Mark

Kenneth Wilford wrote:
> ...
> So which system is better?  I don't know but I wonder if the change in
> brakes had more to do with VW changing brake parts suppliers and not so much
> with actually improving the braking system?  Anyone else have input?
>