280mm vs 256mm brakes

[Diluxe]

Hi guys is the caliper ,carrier & disc on the 280mm brakes different to the 256mm or is it just the discs & and the carrier, I'm struggling to understand the advantake of the 280mm brakes when the srrface area being clamped is exactlythe same, as the pad is no bigger?

cheers

[Gambit]

ive just changed to 280mm setup, and to be honest im stunned at the difference. u wouldnt notice it with town driving. but see if your pushing it on a bit the difference is very noticeable, the car stops really well now from hefty speeds

as for the actual difference in comparison of the setups, although the surface area of the pad is the same, the actual gripping surface on the 256mm disk is spinning faster than the 280mm disk when travelling at the same speed - if that makes sense?

[Agreeable Slick]

of course the surface area is larger, they are larger discs, just because the pad is no bigger doesn't mean it grips less. There are an extra 24mm of disc surface incorporated to the overall area of the disc.

IIRC you need the carriers, calipers, and discs. Do a search of this and the garage sections, there are loads of topics on it. 

[Gambit]

the 280mm carriers is the hardest bit to find as most people think they only came on mk2 g60's and early mk3 vr6 & 16v's

but they came on allsorts right up till some audi a3's using them i think? my carriers came off an audi coupe!!

just look for any vag that runs 280mm disks and they will have the correct carriers

[tom26]

was the 280mm disc on g60's?

edit:     sorry posted as gambit was posting. doh!

[Gambit]

yes

[tom26]

So were most 16v's fitted with 256mm with 280mm being an option? or was it just the run out late models?

[Gambit]

no, all 16vs from late 88 onwards got 256mm, 280mm was never an option

[jammac]

if i wanted to get 280mm or even 256mm on my 8v i take it id have to get 16v hubs?

there must be a huge differance from 239mm to 280mm! i want i want!!!! ive been used to ABS which makes braking alittle sketchy at times!

[Gambit]

yes if you have 239mm then you need late 16v hubs also