Another 280mm question (have searched!)

[Willber]

I have 280mm brakes from a MK3 and using EBC Yellowstuff pads, the RA's do not clear, only with a 6mm spacer but then there is not enough meat on the hub to centre the wheel properly so going to have to get different wheels.

[andyholli]

I have the complete Mk3 set up under my RAs with a 3mm spacer to clear.

Advice I got was to drill two holes in the backs of the wheels then rivet the spacers to the wheels before getting the lot rebalanced. - Means you can take the wheels on and off easily too.

I plan to do a stud conversion soon for a bit of extra security.

Hope this helps.

[weazgti]

so only the standard 16v brakes will fit under ra s?
Glad this has come up, i would of gone and got it all not knowing.
Is there really much difference in performance with mk2 16v brakes over 8v ones? is it worth doing? i ve had both cars but cant remember what the brakes were like on my 16v.
 

[Diamond Hell]

Is there really much difference in performance with mk2 16v brakes over 8v ones? is it worth doing? i ve had both cars but cant remember what the brakes were like on my 16v.
 

The short answer is 'yes'.

256mm are separate caliper carrier and suchlike - much beefier set up.

280mm are basically just bigger caliper carriers, rotors and pads - better again.

I've had 280mms under multispoke OEM VW 15" wheels.  Not entirely sure what all the fuss is about. 

[Mr Blue]

You can also angle grind a few mm off the caliper edge to clear wheels, not my cuppa but people have done this

[Mark 2 Mark]

Sounds a bt of a pain then to keep RA's :-(

[Diamond Hell]

Try them over a 280mm set up!

Someone near you must have them.

[RossyB108]

I've got Corrado VR6/mk3 Golf VR6 calipers and carriers (pretty much same as G60) with G60 280mm 4x stud discs.  The RA's def don't fit on without spacers.  I have cheap 10mm spacers from ebay and all fits fine. 

I have done a few thousand miles with this set up and had the wheels on and off a few times and all is compeltely fine.

You do run out of slot on the hub for the wheel to sit on but the wheel bolts will line up your wheels - I never have any wheel wobble from them being slightly out.

I can send pics and parts numbers to prove it all fits if that'll help mate.

[andyholli]

I went from the standard 16v set up to 280s and wouldn't go back.
-Noticeably more powerful and reassuring feel, but watch the balance front to rear. I'm still adjusting my valve to be sure of never locking the rears, I guess because the better front brakes are now throwing more weight forward and off the backs... -A minor issue though and could be specific to my car's ride height, pitch, spring/dampers, etc.

Bigger disks and calipers weigh more; its all unsprung and the disks increase rotational inertia too

[Diamond Hell]

Bigger disks and calipers weigh more; its all unsprung and the disks increase rotational inertia too

Only the rotors and the small extra on the carriers, not the calipers - they're the same. 

Performance is definitely worth it.  I have 256mm on the Corrado and can wilt them easily.