Brakes Upgrade

I am getting ready to upgrade my front brakes on my cabriolet. I was going to use the spacers from VWCaddy so I could use the Mark3 280mm GTI set up, but it seems alot of people are using the Vauxhall modification. I must admit I don't know alot about this setup. I would like to fit the biggest size discs possible, wheel size not being a problem. I know the conversion has been listed before, but can somebody tell me exactly all the parts needed for the biggest Vauxhall disc setup. What do you guys think, VW or Vauxhall?

http://www.fastgolf.or…orums&file=viewtopic&t=86

should help you out with the exact parts required. Vauxhall is better because of larger pad area and its cheaper.

So the largest calipers from a Vectra B are 288mm. Do I use my original carriers or ones from the Vectra. Also do I use G60 280mm discs or are there larger ones I could use?

Use the Vauxhall carriers and calipers together.

You can use the 280mm G60 discs and accept the small overlap the pad will have over the edge of the disc. Also there are some other cars with similar/same PCD as the VW, who's discs could be used - for example Fiat, Rover, so you might be able to find a 285mm or 288mm disc out there. I've never looked into it and I'm happy to use G60 discs.

how much bigger is the pad area? and how much is un-used?

I have the mk3 set up on mine and it works a treat, plus its nice and cheap, ?50 for adaptors, ?50 for calipers and carriers if you shop around, and then all you need is the mk2 16v servo and master cylinder as the larger piston needs more fluid so with the sock mc your pedal will be loooooooooong, but this will be the same for both.

I have the 16v servo and master cylinder fitted so thats not a problem. I have been looking around and it looks like the bolts for the vauxhall conversion will cost ?15 and the calipers are about ?30 a pair. If the vauxhall calipers bolt straight on with no bracket, they must be alot bigger and I presume more powerful compared to the Mark3 setup. Before anybody says do I really need brakes that powerful, I should say that my cabriolet is being converted to 4wd rallye setup and running the 20v turbo engine, so the more powerful the better. :wink:  :wink:

M7R said

how much bigger is the pad area? and how much is un-used?

I have the mk3 set up on mine and it works a treat, plus its nice and cheap, ?50 for adaptors, ?50 for calipers and carriers if you shop around, and then all you need is the mk2 16v servo and master cylinder as the larger piston needs more fluid so with the sock mc your pedal will be loooooooooong, but this will be the same for both.

The thread on fastgolf has the info:

paul_c said

May be of some use?

I will check on monday as I know the vauxhall ones are teeves calipers as used on 288mm golfs etc  :wink:

and I think the piston on the teeves are 57mm vs the 54 on the earlier golfs, but you will also notice that the piston over hangs the pad area, and also dont assume they are better than the golf set up, as a few folk will vouch for how well mine stops.

Once again, it depends what you call "best". There is a strong argument that 280mm is overkill on all but the most powerful Mk1 Golfs, and that the 256mm setup is good for almost all applications; or that the oriinal setup with uprated pads is good enough, especially if the car is lightened.