Upgraded Brake pads for Mk1

[dubai gti]

What do you guys recommend as an upgrade to improve on the (already) woeful disk brakes on a Mk 1.?? EBC Greenstuff and if so, where is the best place to buy them in OZ??

[Brisben]

What do you guys recommend as an upgrade to improve on the (already) woeful disk brakes on a Mk 1.?? EBC Greenstuff and if so, where is the best place to buy them in OZ??

You would be better off spending your money on a MK2 servo and master cylinder.

If not an option probably Autobahn

[RedMk2Gti]

What do you guys recommend as an upgrade to improve on the (already) woeful disk brakes on a Mk 1.?? EBC Greenstuff and if so, where is the best place to buy them in OZ??

Do you mean just 'upgrade' the pad

Without upgrading other brake component, it won't help, just waste your money.

[gordymatt]

You would be better off spending your money on a MK2 servo and master cylinder.

If not an option probably Autobahn

Hey Ben,

Are you back on the road yet?

[Brisben]

Hey Ben,

Are you back on the road yet?

Yes bro, got it sorted last night, need to steam clean the engine bay , fir new rocker cover gasket(en route) but yeah up and running and driveable.

[gslrallysport]

What do you guys recommend as an upgrade to improve on the (already) woeful disk brakes on a Mk 1.?? EBC Greenstuff and if so, where is the best place to buy them in OZ??

Green stuff would probably make the brakes worst are they have a very low friction co-ef when cold, and don't get alot better when hot... Decent standard street pads would probably be a better option than going to the Greens. What pads are you currently running?

As has been said, you'd be better off sourcing Mk2 gear, but if you really don't want to go down that path (and you're sure your current setup is in good condition) we could look at getting some high friction pads made up...

[Brisben]

Green stuff would probably make the brakes worst are they have a very low friction co-ef when cold, and don't get alot better when hot... Decent standard street pads would probably be a better option than going to the Greens. What pads are you currently running?

As has been said, you'd be better off sourcing Mk2 gear, but if you really don't want to go down that path (and you're sure your current setup is in good condition) we could look at getting some high friction pads made up...

Yes I would deffo check you have no airleaks to servo wise. Always makes sure rear shoes are well adjusted. Bleed the brakes and put new fluid in, get rid of all air leaks. Then finally a set of braided hoses on the front would give a bit better peddle feel and a firmer stop.

I would do that before sourcing expensive pads. At least do the things that cost next to nothing, system check....bleed etc.

[gslrallysport]

Yes I would deffo check you have no airleaks to servo wise. Always makes sure rear shoes are well adjusted. Bleed the brakes and put new fluid in, get rid of all air leaks.

+1 to all that!!!

Then finally a set of braided hoses on the front would give a bit better peddle feel and a firmer stop.

The only time braided lines give you better pedal feel over new rubber lines is when your fluid is boiling, and that's the fluid's problem, not the brake lines. Braided lines make very little difference over good condition rubber ones, and the majority of the improvement people get when fitting them comes from either fitting new brake lines full stop (be it rubber or braided) by replacing old ones, and/or having new fluid flushed through. Not necessarily anything related to the fact that the lines are braided.

I would do that before sourcing expensive pads.

We can get a custom set of higher friction pads, in something like a LTM003 or HPX made for not much more than $100...

[Peter Jones]

I'm running the Lucas/TRW pads on my MK1 and they seem fine to me for both street and track.

Mind you the rest of the system comprises of

• GTI Ventilated Discs & Audi 80 Calipers up front
• MK3 Discs at the rear
• Braided lines all 'round
• MK3 Booster
• 22mm Master Cylinder
• 16v Scirocco Proportioning Valves

Best thing to do with MK1 brakes is just to replace all the old stuff with new stuff. MK1 brakes were pretty good when the car was brand new. They're not bad by design, they're bad by old age.

Pete

[gotrice]

I got a complete MK2 setup (rotors, calipers, pads etc) from GTI Imports and it was cheep and has seen racetrack time and is great. That is how I would go.

[Spyda]

Late mk2 gear does not go on to a mk1. You need to find early 16v stuff if you want to plug and play on the mk1.

[Campaign]

I don't agree with the description that all Mk1 brakes are woeful.
I've found that good quality pads and rotors give quite reasonable braking on a standard Mk1. My suspicion is that cheap components are used and then the design is blamed. (I've been caught with some brake places selling me cheap pads when I wanted quality - can sell them to you cheaply if you want them)
My daughter's GLS are running some ATE pads that I sourced from volkspower and the braking is fine (about$70).
I use Ferodo DS2500 on the GTI that I sourced from Melbourne Performance centre in Bayswater and the braking is excellent (about$200).

[paulie71]

see if you can get a Mk1 GTI or later model Mk1 Cabrio Servo, caliper and disc set as the have bigger pads and ventilated discs.

Worked a treat on my first Mk1, never had brake fade!

Great to hear you're back on the road Ben.