Wilwood Forged Drop Spindle Front Disc Brake Kit — Ball Joint 5-Lug, 4-Piston (22-6160-R)

Forged drop spindle front disc brake kit for Ball Joint 5-lug VWs with a 4-piston caliper upgrade — the highest-performance bolt-on disc conversion in the EMPI/Wilwood lineup. More piston area means more pad clamping force, more linear pedal feel, and significantly better resistance to fade in repeated hard stops.

Double-drilled directional rotors fit both Porsche-pattern (5×130mm) and GM-pattern (5×4.75") wheels. Red-painted billet calipers for a custom look.

Vehicle Fitment

• VW Type 1 / Beetle: 1968–1977 (ball joint front beam)
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1967–1974 (ball joint front beam)

Why Choose Wilwood?

Wilwood Engineering has been designing and manufacturing high-performance disc brake systems in California since 1977. Their billet aluminum calipers and forged components are the standard in motorsport and street-performance braking. EMPI has partnered with Wilwood to develop these VW-specific bolt-on conversion kits.

Key Features & Benefits

• 4-piston calipers: More clamping force, more linear pedal feel, and better fade resistance in repeated hard stops.
• Bolt-on installation: No fabrication required.
• Dual wheel pattern: Double-drilled directional rotors fit both 5×130mm (Porsche) and 5×4.75" (GM) patterns.
• 2.5" forged drop spindles: Lowered stance with maintained steering geometry.

Kit Includes

• Zinc-plated double-drilled directional drilled and slotted brake rotors (5×130mm + 5×4.75", 14×1.5mm threads)
• Wilwood billet aluminum 4-piston brake calipers — Red finish
• Wilwood brake pads (replacement: 16-2527-7)
• 2.5" forged drop spindles
• SKF wheel bearings and seals
• Mounting hardware
• Dust caps
• Installation instructions

Technical Specifications

• EMPI Part #: 22-6160-R
• Caliper: Wilwood 4-piston, Red finish
• Wheel pattern: Double-drilled 5×130mm and 5×4.75"
• Minimum wheel size: 15" (caliper/rotor package will not clear smaller wheels)
• Steering: Requires 1969 & later tie rod ends
• UPC: 707924554441
• Shipping weight: 63 lb
• Also available: Natural (22-6160-0) caliper, Black (22-6160-B) caliper

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does this kit require fabrication? No — it is a bolt-on installation with no fabrication required.
• What wheel size do I need? Minimum 15" wheels; the caliper and rotor package will not clear smaller diameters.
• Will it fit my wheels? The double-drilled rotors fit both 5×130mm (Porsche) and 5×4.75" (GM) wheel patterns.
• Do I need different tie rod ends? Ball joint kits require 1969 & later tie rod ends; earlier tie rod ends must be upgraded for proper steering geometry.

Explore Related Categories

Brakes · VW Beetle · VW Karmann Ghia