Should I upgrade my brakes and lower it?

Hi

Once again I'm seeking the advice of all you Mk1 Golf experts. I have a fairly, but not quite stock, 1981 Mk1 Golf GTI. It has non standard items:

1.8 engine in place of the 1.6
red interior instead of grey (its a black car)

I'm planning on changing over the interior, but I'll probably keep the 1.8 in it.

Now, the question is, should I also go ahead with minor upgrades such as Mk2 16V brake master cylinder (I believe this is the single most effective brake mod, while keeping stock wheels, etc on the car); and lowering, say 20-30mm or so beyond what the GTI is already lowered compared to the other models. I guess its a legacy from the aircooled scene where the Beetles were way too high from the factory; and the lower the car, the cooler it is - to the point of nutters running around on space saver spare wheels and tyres! Or is stock height cool these days? Also of course, I don't want to needlessly spend money and fit parts, simultaneously throwing away (or storing) perfectly servicable original parts.

I am not interested in styling mods such as changing from the stock alloys, or adding spoilers, bodykits or gizmos in the interior. Neither am I particularly bothered with 'go-faster' stuff (increasing engine output).

Many thanks!

If you are not interested in engine mods, i would say the standard brakes would be ok, just use quality pads and disks/drums/shoes change the brake fluid.

I guess I'm still in my 'honeymoon' phase. I know the brakes aren't brilliant on these cars, but some of the time (I am a reasonably responsible driver!) I find I back off, because I can't really trust my brakes. For example, I'd take it easy approaching a roundabout.

I'll take a good look at the brakes as they are now and do a brake fluid change, to see if there is any improvement.

Now, the question is, should I also go ahead with minor upgrades such as Mk2 16V brake master cylinder

Yes you should , go for the 22mm master cylinder from a MK2 16V the brakes on our cars are not up to modern standards so improving them is only doing what VW did when they produced the MK2 .
Lowering can improve road holding and new shocks and springs will only benifit the cars handling !


Cheers……….

Gor for it Paul! Mine is lowered 40mm. This is a little low for me - I like the look and the handling with the uprated suspension but overall it's too low as I always take the chin spoiler out.

I'm probably lookingto go back to either standard or minimal lowering like 20-25mm ish. This should be worthwhile IMO

Ref the brakes, I'd do that too. dubburke is right on keeping your std system in tip-top nick but equally we're still driving cars that are quick by modern standards without the same quality braking.

I got discs all round - passat discs at front with passat servo and master cyclinder - I'm told 1 of only 2 period conversions!! Seems to work well. Also looking at fitting the Goodrich brake hoses. Dont be tempted to go 'too fast' with pads - i.e. fast road/racing pads as you'll have to keep them too hot all the time to be effective

Cheers
Andy

Scroll down the pics of Gaydon and you will see my mars red mk1 on standard alloys,  GJC 39Y  


I have Eibach springs on it with Koni shocks, looks good I think, not too low.

As for the brakes, as above new 16v master cyl, new fluid, maybe goodridge hoses and most of all, makes sure the linkage is adjusted properly ! Because when it is, it works great I think. Hardly any more travel than on my other 2 cars !

Oh, and I would recommend Blackdiamond disks and Ferodo pads too.

I added drilled discs and Fast Road pads to mine and boy does it make a difference!
Still on standard Master Cylinder and Servo too…