BIG BRAKE upgrade suggestions?

The brakes on my MK1, like most, aren't too great, i'm just about to finish putting together a new lump (basic 1.8 with a cam and some headwork) and wouldn't mind a bit of a brake upgrade.

What would you recommend for a budget upgrade?

I got zimmerman cross drilled disks and Pagid Fast Road pads - MUCH better than they were as standard and won't cost the earth!
(A new Master Cylinder won't go a miss either…)

Would definately fit a MK2 Servo combination. Makes an unbelievable difference to the braking performance.

hi all,
 i always hear about the mk2 servo upgrade.
 could anyone tell me what parts i would actually need and how to do it!!!!

 cheers

  Cheers……….

cheers mate,
 off down the scrappys then!

  :wink:

i don't know if anyone else uses ferodo ds2500 pds but they are awesome in my opinion still use cheaper disks from gsf but my dads put some grooves in to help cleaning and the braking is sooo much better than cheap pads they should be really for ?60 a set  8O

Stuart

I'm interested in this type of upgrade too. The master cylinder isn't a problem, around ?30 from Euro Car Parts. But the servo seems pricy at around ?160 new. So, do these come up often secondhand? And is there a difference between years of Mk2 Golf GTI 16V?

I read an interesting article on the brake upgrade thing and it said >>>

"Buy a new 22mm master cylinder from the 16v mk2 [about 35 quid from GSF] and bolt it straight to your existing servo" . Your brakes will then be ……….. [think it meant better] 8O


You will of course have to alter the brake pipes as above but thats the easy part…….

Hands up then who has done this before we take the plunge  :dontknow:    

Cheers………

I know a Passat uses the same size servo as 16V Golf and has the 4 outlets (as per Mk1), but am unsure what year cars to look for in the scrappy. Not sure if it's the late 80's/early 90's type model or the older 'square' ones. Would be a better option as no T pieces required.
Certain Audi 256mm calipers also provide a bolt on upgrade - use with late 16V Golf disks. I posted a 'how to spot the right ones' type mail on here a while back (as many of the Audi calipers won't fit a Mk1).
Cheers,
Mark

I'll nip into the garage later and try and get a piccie of what the se-up look slike Guys form me MK1 - might help you all.

chudd said

I read an interesting article on the brake upgrade thing and it said >>>

"Buy a new 22mm master cylinder from the 16v mk2 [about 35 quid from GSF] and bolt it straight to your existing servo" . Your brakes will then be ……….. [think it meant better] 8O

Hmm! What does "better" mean? is it lighter pedal?  more feel? more control?

Interested to hear.

Paul

"Better" meant -Very Hot- In short a vast improvement over the original set up .

I am now going down the passat route  and am following this advice copied from another web site ………..

I'm doing it at the moment, although I'm using the bigger servo too. Both came from a Passat as they're common as muck in scrapyards round here. I've got a 3 outlet M/C, so the 2 front pipes have their own outlets and I'm piping the rear into a 4 port connector with the brake switch.

The Passat you are looking for dates from 1987 to 1992 about the same year as the MK2 and although you will be using a second hand servo the master cylinder is only ?25.00 new from GSF so it would be better to replace that while your at it…………

Thats what i call a Budget brake upgrade   I like the 4 port connector bit as it saves you having to re-route the brake light switch .

Cheers……….

Pinched this from another site  8O


Mk1 -> 256mm Brakes
The correct caliper and carriers need to convert your Mk1 to 256mm brakes can be found on :

Audi 80 quattro (83 to 85)
Audi 90 5-cylinder (85 to 87)
Audi Coupe 5-cylinder (85 to 88  
Scirocco 16V (if you can find one !!)


Note:- Pads and Discs from the same vehicles will also be needed. >88 Mk2 16v discs and pads are also compatible with the conversion despite the calipers and carriers not being so.

The specific part numbers for this caliper carriers (if bought new from VAG are):-

Part Numbers:-
Caliper carriers - 853 615 125 (x2)
Carrier bolts - N900 689 02 (x4)
Sliding pin bolts - 321 615 141 (x4)

Well i finally got round to fitting all my 'New' large brake bits . I say new because i was lucky to find a servo and master cylinder on Ebay for ?40.00 that was genuine VW old stock .

Reasult is amazing and very easy to fit only fiddly bit is cutting the new servo thread down by 6mm to clear the Mk1 clevis pin . I should add that i am still using original disks and rear brakes .

 Leave all the brackets as they are. Just need the servo itself and the master. Remember to swap the clevis pin on the back of the servo over with the mk1 part. The mk1 part has a hole drilled in it for the return spring.

Also make sure that the clevis is wound fully in to the shortest position. Same with the linkage, reduce its length to the minimum.



My brakes now work  
So now you have no excuse to complain about those poor Mk1 brakes . Fit some later model parts and stopping becomes much easier .


Chudd……….

MORE BRAKE INFORMATION PLEASE READ

You cant use a Mk1 master cylinder with a 16v servo, the rod isn't long enough, you will need to fit the 16v Master Cylinder too



Using Standard 13" wheels what brake options have i ?


gareth231 wrote ….

I want to run 13" alloys on my mk1 gti, what brake options have I got to improve them . I saw a Golf in Golf+ mag using Audi 80 parts.

I am intrested in finding out what other calipers can be used with 239mm discs

Chudd wrote..

 Tells you in the mag , he's using Audi 80 calipers with 239 disks

These will be from an Audi 80 of 1981 to 1986 ish

Disks and Calipers are same part numbers according to an old GSF book as the Golf GTI Mk1 so same thing , looks good in a magazine i guess  

If you need to run 13" wheels go the bigger master cylinder and larger servo route , i have and am impressed with the brakes now on my MK1 .
Cheap to do .
 
Cheers ……….

Al-MK1 wrote…

He is using 239mm bits with…..

'I have Zimmermann drilled discs and Pagid Fast Road Pads and they are very good. Don't really need to be warmed up much like people say and bite really well. Not had any fade yet!'