1.6 driver - brake upgrade to gti

[acko]

Hey peeps,

Its MOT time and I think my brakes need replacing, front pads and disc. I thought this would be a good opertunity to upgrade to a set of GTI brakes but don't know how much work is involved and what I need. I'm sure theres probably been a post on this before but i can't find any.

Will the GTI discs be a straight swap with gti pads on to my existing hub and caliper or:

Will I need to replace the calipers so they will accept the gti pads and bigger discs?

Will the brake servo need upgrading for a gti item? are they any different between the driver and the gti?

I'm sure this will not be too difficult to do but any suggestions and advice will be greatly appreichiated!

Cheers y'all

[mrwotto]

I was thinking about upgrading my brakes to gti brakes on my 1.8 when they need doing so I will be interested also in this

Paul

[Dizzie]

aren't the front brakes the same on the driver as the 8v gti? unless you mean 16v? 256mm front discs.

if you want to change to 256mm discs you'll need: 256mm discs (obviously), (carriers?), hubs, calipers, pads and a 22mm master cylinder. not sure if the 16v has carriers or is it just the G60 that does? This is also a good time to put on braided hoses are this improves the pedal feel.

All the 16v golfs and jettas had this parts after 1988. the 16v's before then had 239mm front discs. Also you'll need to run at least 14" wheels to clear the calipers.

 

[rubjonny]

Dizzie is correct the 239mm GTI 8v discs and pads fit straight on the 1.6 and 1.8 carb models, but you can't mix and match.? You have to get GTI discs AND pads, as they are different thincknesses if you get me?

[acko]

Yeah so I can put the 8v 239mm vented discs which are thicker than the solid ones and then use the gti thinner pads correct?

Am I right in thinking this will only reduce brake fade it won't actually make the brakes any more powerfull.

Thanx guys

[rubjonny]

That is correct, dunno about what it does for the braking though, I assume it must be better 

[maximous]

I have done this mod to my daily driver and every aspect of breaking was improved, using cross drilled discs. One question though im upgrading to the 280 discs using the adaptor plate that tsr sell, but is there any differences between the gti carriers and driver ones?

[acko]

Fitted the 239mm GTI 8v vented discs and textar GTI pads which only cost about ?45 for the lot from eurocarparts. As you said straight swap, very easy to do and braking has improved massively. Don't know if this is just because the old discs were so knackered but i'm happy. Those allen key bolts with the rubber shroud things are an absolute c**t! Rubbish design, there was only one of the four I could actually get off with the allen key. Good old moleies sorted em out tho!

Does anybody know if these bolts can be replaced with items which don't corrode?  What about the rubber shrouds, are they necessary as I had to cut them off to get to the bolts.

Now I have better brakes on the front I was thinking about the rears. Is it worth going to the effort to do a rear disc conversion? If so whats involved, would I need the rear beam from an 8v? I'm guesing the rears do not actually contribute that much to normal braking so might be a bit of a watse of time/money.

Any advice?

[Dizzie]

I have done this mod to my daily driver and every aspect of breaking was improved, using cross drilled discs. One question though im upgrading to the 280 discs using the adaptor plate that tsr sell, but is there any differences between the gti carriers and driver ones?

neither the gti or the driver used carriers 

only the G60 actually used carriers to space the calipers out to fit onto 280mm discs.

[maximous]

Just me being confused then , its just that I read a bit in golf+ that said to up grade to larger discs I would have to ?change to later front hubs for bolt on carriers, like those from a 16v mk2 89 on?. But this may have been about upgrading the drive shafts.