Polo brake rotors on mk1?

[Inksta]

Hi all.

I've been told that newer model (90s) polo brake rotors bolt straight on to mk1 hubs as long as you're running 14s for clearance. Anyone able to confirm? I searched but didnt find anything.

Cheers.

[gtimk5]

No problems with fitting the discs but its the calipers and offset you have to think about. Different.
Andrew

[hiho]

how different???

[Inksta]

Yeah this is definitely an avenue I'm interested in. Basically I'd like to get the braking system a bit more modern. I can live with the soft original brakes, but this Golf is mainly intended for my girlfriend, and in an emergency I want the brakes to bite quickly - more like the modern cars she's used to.

I wonder if it's going to be a matter of simply shaving the pads back a bit or will I need Mk2 gti calipers etc...

Cheers for the info though mate.

[Peter Jones]

They'd be 256mm x 20mm right?

(MK1 GTI is 239mm?)

If so I believe the caliper to use is the 16v Scirocco one. MK2's have a totally different setup.

Autotech used to sell new ones but are having trouble sourcing them at the moment but they seem to be able to get hold of reco 2nd hand ones if you ask nicely. see http://www.autotech.com/prod_brakes_frtbrakeconv.htm

I'm also interested to know of any othercaliper options to run 256mm on MK1.

Pete

[Tulyar]

You could try Vectra calipers with Seat Ibiza 280mm discs or Astra (mid to late 90's) calipers and the VW 256mm discs.

Key issue is the caliper mounting bolts you can either bush or cut another thread on either the VW or GM bolts - some of the guys in the UK have found an off the shelf standard shouldered bolt to use. There was a thread on the Scirocco Register around Christmas about the bolts.

The Scirocco 16v caliper (Girling 54) and bracket on 256mm disc will allow you to continue to use 14" wheels the GM option takes you to 15" wheels. These calipers were also on mid 80's 5cylinder Audi's. I have a set somewhere - not for sale though!

One of the guys on the Scirocco Register sometimes has spacer brackets made up so that the standard Golf GTI caliper can be spaced out to work on the 280mm disc.

Cant quite recall exactly but I think there was something you could do with calipers off the Polo G40. Maybe thats the reference to the Polo? Good luck finding one though.

[Campaign]

pads make a difference

... I can live with the soft original brakes, but this Golf is mainly intended for my girlfriend, and in an emergency I want the brakes to bite quickly ...

I have often wondered how much the often made complaint about Mk1 brakes is to do with the use of cheap brake pads. I have had a number of Mk1's and the pad material makes a significant difference. I reckon the original ATE pads work well, even though they are dusty. And have done even better with Pagid Fast Road and with Ferodo DS2500.

One will never get the really good feel in a right hand drive when you press really hard because the cross link flexes, but it should still stop well, with decent bite.

Of course if you use cheap, low friction pads you have to push the brake pedal harder, which is more likely to flex the cross-link and the brakes will feel crap.

What do you think? Have you gone the cut-price way? Really good pads could be a simple upgrade.

Paul

[Peter Jones]

I'm racing on the 239mm GTI front discs and they work really well. Currently I'm using Lucas TRW pads and have previously used Bendix metal kings.

On training days my car has had similar stopping distances to current MK5s. (On cold brakes at least)

MK1 brakes are much critisised but remember that every component in them is likely to be 30 years old! Most of it should be replaced or rebuilt to get them working properly again. The stock brakes are actually very good when everything is working properly.

If you just replace the front discs and calipers you'll probably be no better off, the MK1 master cylinder is too small for the bigger calipers, you'll need a 22mm master cylinder. Brake hoses will need replacing too.

There's plenty you can do with the brakes take a look at some of the stuff I've done with later model brake bits.

MK3 Booster

Race car brakes

Cordoba Rear Drums

Stock disc replacement

Another thread

Pete

[Inksta]

Thanks guys, this is the sort of information it's hard to find elsewhere. Lots of food for thought. I'd like to have a go with upgraded pads to start off, and I'll report back here with the results. Just got to get the new rims on first =)

Currently it's possible to lock up only if you really stamp on the pedal with a lot of force.

Thanks for the links, Pete. I had searched and found some but not all of those threads.

(clearly my Saturday night is going off)

[Campaign]

Chase good pads

MK1 brakes are much critisised but remember that every component in them is likely to be 30 years old! Most of it should be replaced or rebuilt to get them working properly again. The stock brakes are actually very good when everything is working properly.

If you just replace the front discs and calipers you'll probably be no better off, the MK1 master cylinder is too small for the bigger calipers, you'll need a 22mm master cylinder. Brake hoses will need replacing too.

Pete

Well said, Pete.
I remember when my Dad bought a new Mk1 LS, that we thought the brakes were over-sensitive (I think the press review said the same)

I was told once that brakes on a car are designed as a system - the brake lines, booster, master cylinder, calipers, discs etc. And that you could end up with less braking if you put larger discs and caliper without uprating master cylinder and brake lines.

That said, I must add that I had to really chase after better quality brake pads. The usual parts stores like Repco, Autobarn etc had lower end products. It was only when I contacted a race performance business that I got access to the better products (coefficient of friction 45 - 50) - I am very happy with the Ferodo DS 2500 although I paid a fair bit for them. Little dust, good on the rotors, and good feel on the pedal.

If you really need to stamp on the pedal of a right hand drive Mk1, you will be getting the cross-link to flex and so lose feel and control of braking effort.

Be interested to hear how you get on.

Paul