What upgraded brakes for 1987 Mk2 Gti 16v ?

[VeeDubGTI16v]

not even close 

but still a good setup 

[s1monc]

I bought the hubs,calipers,carriers from a Mk2 16v 256mm brakes, the calipers say Girling 54 on them. I am in the process of cleaning up the hubs & fitting new bearings. I want to fit G60 280mm discs, i am still confused about the calipers as i thought i needed G60 ones but they all seem to have Girling 54 on them aswell. So can i use my Girling 54 Mk2 16v calipers with 280mm discs ?

Cheers Simon.

[richard s]

to clear on 280mm discs you need some caliper carriers from 280mm car the carriers are on seat ibiza/cordoba 16v (mine came off a ibiza turbo) golf/corrado g60 and im sure ive seen a set on a passat in a scrappers before
take a tape measure with you and start measuring discs

[s1monc]

OK thanks, so i need to find some carriers but can use my Mk2 16v Girling 54 calipers , that will save some money . Would i use pads for Mk2 16v or G60  as i am running the calipers designed for 256mm discs ? Are the calipers for 256/280mm the same then ?

Cheers Simon.

[danny_p]

not even close 

but still a good setup 

true bilstines are better   just a pair of damers retail at more than most complete setups

[rubjonny]

the biggest difference is the carriers between 256 and 280, the 280 carrier pushes the caliper out enough to fit over the bigger disc.

You need 16v pads to use 256 calipers, but even then may need part worn/ground down pads to get them to fit over the thicker 280mm disc. another solution is to grind the slider pins down a bit, but that leaves you with less 'meat' on the spanner flats so you might struggle to find a spanner thin enough.

If it was me I'd go for proper calipers to save hassle, MK3 GTIs are a good source of cheap 280mm calipers in scrappys now, they're getting common. Just make sure they arnt the 288 ones, as they dont bolt up. Doesnt matter that they're 5 stud either, the calipers & carriers are the same. That goes for most other 5 stud VAG models, SEAT, Passat etc. Just as I say, make sure its a 280mm setup not 288.

You know what to look for though, the 280s are pretty much the same as the 256, girling 54s.