The brake upgrade options for your mk1 golf

[Volksee77]

ok Guys, after much research and actually doing this I have assembled together a heap of the basic (and cost effective) brake upgrade options for the mk1 golf. I have used all of these whilst in competition and each upgrade was done as the next step. The first thing i would recommend for most before playing with discs and calipers is invest in a mk3 booster and do the "Peter Jones" mod whilst you are at it install a 22mm master cylinder to make the most of any future caliper upgrades. Subsequently I have again upgraded my rally car so will be offering all this gear up for sale in the new year. Everything will be complete (minus brake hoses) with freshly rebuilt calipers, carriers, new discs (some have very minus surface rust as they have been on the shelf for years but will disappear on the first stop), new pads, adaptors and all bolts. Pm me if you are interested in any of them.

For comparison
The std mk1 GL, GLS and diesel brakes. 239mm non vented single piston calipers




The Mk1 GTi brake setup, slightly bigger caliper with 239mm vented discs. The kit is up for sale and has pagid fast road racing pads installed, 2100km old only and heaps of life left. These pads do not fade no matter what you do to them. No adaptors needed as it bolts straight up to the mk1 hub and will clear 13" rims



The next option moving forward is a 256mm vented disc and 54 series caliper. Big Improvement to braking over the 239 mk1 GTi setup. No pics sorry as still boxed but comes with new discs, rebuilt calipers, resleeved carriers and adaptors to bolt straight to mk1 hub. 30 minute job to do both sides. Will require minimum 14" rims

Option 3 is a step forward again and is the 280mm big disc upgrade. This uses a mk1 gti caliper matched to a 280mm custom offset disc and is a step again over the 256mm option. This kit comes with newish Black Diamond combination discs (1200km old) and has no warping or grooves what so ever, they present as new, also caliper adaptors and hardware. Just needs mk1 GTI calipers or I can supply at extra cost. Kit requires a minimum of 15" rims (also for sale very very soon)

[Volksee77]

Upgrade number 4 available is the switch to VR6 280mm vented discs and matched VR6 calipers to make full use of the brake disc swept area which the 280mm upgrade before doesn't with the use of the smaller mk1 caliper. This kit comes (2 available) with new vented discs (1 set of discs has very minor surface rust as they have been sitting in the box for years on the shelf but will disappear after 1 stop), rebuilt calipers, resleeved carriers, new pads, adaptors and hardware for a bolt on upgrade which will take about 30 min total if you know what you are doing.



The last of the kits I have stashed away is a bit of a collection of rare std VW parts which are the best you can fit from the VW stable of the era. 280mm Black diamond combination discs matched to ultra rare rebuilt twin piston Girling calipers, resleeved carriers, new pads and all the hardware required to bolt up to a std mk1 hub. No pads fitted for the pics but they are boxed away on the shelf and will be included.




all this gear is tried and tested then fully rebuilt (or were spares for the car) and will bolt onto your mk1 without any hassles. The only thing required is for you to supply hoses. Most opt for braided lines but these are iffy with some states and Dept's of Transport so I will leave it up to you to choose what you want to fit.

[Volksee77]

last but not least of my mk1 brake gear is a set of custom modified mk1 hubs. These bolt straight up to your golf / passat but have been modified so you can bolt 256mm and 280mm brake gear straight to your golf without the need for adaptors. The hubs take 17mm ball joints so double check if you have the late model 17mm ones or the earlier 15mm ones. 15mm can be changed out to the later 17mm items by either changing your wishbones or drilling out the 15mm and using the bolt on 17mm kit. Wheel bearings have been pressed out for you to put your own new units in as they were chewed out on my rally car. I can arrange for new bearings if you don't want the hassle. Realiable and rally tested with no problems what so ever.

the two modded untis are on the bottom


difference between stock spacing and modified units


All the gear boxed up on the shelf and under dust covers (except for this picture)


to see what I have changed to check out my rally car upgrade thread
Luke

[nightphotographer]

Awesome info! Are calliper adapters legal in VIC? I'm currently using some creation Motorsport ones for Porsche calipers on my Polo. I assumed like everything in Australia, they were illegal. Interested in the modified hubs though, if these are for VR6 calipers would stock Polo GTI brakes fit too?

[Jarred]

I'd would think it would James, IIRC, Polo and Later Vr6 are 288mm discs with a different offset to the earlier VR6 280mm discs.

[Volksee77]

Correct Jarred, these hubs are modified to suit a maximum of 280mm discs as I was using 15" rims (as most mk1 owners run). If you want to make adaptors to suit then anything is possible i guess but these were made for simple bolt on bolt off efficiency with restricted service times during rallies.

As for the legality of adaptors in all states I would have no idea but being that we are governed by muppets who are working to god knows what kind of agenda besides revenue raising and health and safety has effectively made our lives bland Tofu i would guess probably not. Up to you to check your local state laws

[EwenHayton]

Cheers for the info and time you took to do it! im pretty sure you have just saved me some time and effort searching further down the time line!!! Cheers again

[willwho]

Great thread! Check your pms mate

[Volksee77]

just waiting on the last couple of fixing gear guys so when it lands prices will be put up in the for sale section

[Pergs]

just waiting on the last couple of fixing gear guys so when it lands prices will be put up in the for sale section

Sounds good, Just sent you a PM
Cheers