Brakes

[Talltorrac 10]

Hi

 

I am looking to improve the brakes on my 'rado. I currently have speedline alloys on and am not likely to change these anytime soon.

 

Simply put - Whats the best set up I can put together to fit my set up?

 

Not looking to break the bank (is anyone ever?), but no clear budget yet

[clumpy1 11]

I have a very little used 280mm setup if interested Caliper's/Disc's/Pad's. Can't remember what I paid for them...

[sexybourbon 0]

Assuming its a vr as it has soeed lines then 280's are standard on a corrado

You will want the mk3 golf vr6 brakes , they are 288's and much better or you can go for the 312's of of the newer vw's and audi's but then you would have to change wheels so not ur option

Use the search for more info mate theres lots of threads about it

[P3rks 11]

If yours is a VR. The best brakes on a budget / OE+ brakes are:

 

*MK4 Golf GTi calipers, MK3 GTi discs and pads up front. 288mm. Yeah, they are not much bigger but have a greater pad contact area and are a improved design.

 

*MK4 Golf estate rear calipers and Corrado carriers, discs and pads for the rear. MK4 calipers are aluminium and don't seize. The estate calipers have a larger piston (41mm over 38mm). Only fit the estate versions with the below ABS system otherwise you'll spin out; fit the hatchback calipers if you retain the original ABS.

 

*Goodridge stainless, braided hoses to suit the above. Reduces sponginess.

 

*Teves20 ABS system from a late MK3 Golf / B3 Passat. The original ABS system is pants; it's 3 channel so treats the rear brakes as one - so if one wheel locks it loosens off both rear wheels. It's heavy and parts are becoming obsolete and hard to find. The Teves20 system however is 4 Chanel, each wheel is independant, it has a much larger and efficient pump to greatly improve pedal feel. It's self bleeding, parts are cheap and ten a penny, plus you remove the rear load valve as the ABS is smart enough to figure the rear balance itself - hence why you can fit larger rear pistons without the worry if them locking up.

 

I've done all of the above to my car. Although it's no track weapon, I have so much more confidence in the brakes, they are more lively and have very very little pedal travel. I hated the way the original brakes had so much pedal travel and felt spongy. You literally had to push the pedal half way every time you stopped; now I literally feather the brake pedal.

 

The VR brakes originally are pretty good, they just feel rubbish. I fitted the above carriers front and rear and they were still disappointing. The new ABS system is the game changer here.

[coullstar 0]

I like the sound of that above.

On a budget - 288's with good discs and pads and braided lines is what you need. Ive done a couple of trackdays with this set up and never had any issues. Thats with DS2500 pads.

[sexybourbon 0]

Hmmm nice work mate not heard alot about this was it a big job ? How much of a pain in the arse was it ito fit

[P3rks 11]

Pain in the arse? Not really. Big job? Yes.

 

Firstly you have to renew all the pipe work as the ABS system is slightly different size/position and the union sizes are different - as are the MC outlets. Plus the rear lines are one piece from ABS pump to rear axle due to not needing the rear compensator.

 

Then it's a dash out job as you need to trace and route the old wiring. It could be done with it in place but it's easier with it out as the old ABS loom wraps around and behind the heaterbox.

 

It's pretty much plug and play though and only requires one wire splicing and it's very simple to install.

 

I used a late MK3 as a donor. Post 95 facelift cars all have this system (as does MK4's which shows how upto date this system is - but the wiring isn't compatible). But MK3's use a different servo, the ABS pump/ECU bracket needs adjusting and the dash switch is the wrong size.

 

The B3 Passat however is a straight swap as it uses all of the same style running gear/bulkhead/switch gear as a Corrado - literally no messing.

 

For the record I used a Golf MK3 master cylinder, MK3 ABS pump/ECU and wiring, MK3 golf rear sensors, the original Corrado front sensors, Passat B3 servo (non ABS / later ABS are identical - indecently, I believe non ABS Corrado servos are the same?), Passat B3 ABS light with light to fuse box loom with the original Corrado ABS light cover (so it looks factory). My ABS pump/ECU bracket was a cutdown MK3 bracket with the original Corrado bracket welded to the rear. But you can use a B3 bracket or just drill the bulkhead to use the MK3 bracket. Also, the MK3 servo can be used but the union which fastens to the pedal needs threading and the original bracket screwing on it - but I wouldn't advise that route.

 

Confused yet? :)

[Purple Tom 0]

Just to clarify...everything enthusiastowned is saying is correct apart from that you need the system from a B4 Passat, not B3. B3 Passats use the same system as the Corrado, as do B4 VR6's. The only B4's that had the Teves20 system are 1.9TDi GL's (optional on CL's) and 2.0 petrol GL's (again optional on CL's).

[sexybourbon 0]

Haha im not so posotive ill do this conversion then , sounds like a big job thats sat right at the bottom of big jobs :)

[Jim 2]

Simply putting the MK3 Golf GTI 288's on the front is a major improvement. I have them on my VR and they're night and day compared to the 280's :)

[DriverVR6 11]

I've just put 288's on my VR6. New Caliper pistons and seals, new discs and Pagid pads and Goodrich hoses. Not had the chance to test them properly in anger yet, but with the little testing I did do I noticed that they activate the ABS to kick in much sooner, which may not be a good thing.

 

The standard VR6 brakes I had, which had brand new calipers and OE discs and pads did seem just as good and more predictable. More importantly, it seemed that the ABS didn't cut in as quickly.

 

So maybe going to the suggested B4 ABS system is what is needed to really make 288's perform at their best?

 

However, I'm going to give the 288 setup I now have a proper test in the summer and will then evaluate how they perform.

Edited December 11, 2013 by DriverVR6

[Sean_Jaymo 0]

It's also not so simple to find the warning lamp either. I've been looking for 4 months (at least!) for one!

[seanl82 23]

It's also not so simple to find the warning lamp either. I've been looking for 4 months (at least!) for one!

 

Is it not just a PCB in the back of the mk3 light as well Sean? Surely it could be retrofitted into the standard Corrado light unit with a small amount of fettling no?

[Sean_Jaymo 0]

I'm sure I read somewhere that it's not that simple? Anyone clarify this? I have the B4 light loom already but not the actual lamp.

[Talltorrac 10]

Thanks for all this guys - So it sounds like;

If I have the time for bigger job then change the full setup - ABS unit and the discs, shoes and pads.

 

If I want to just do the simpler job, then it's Mk3 Discs, either mk4 or mk3 Gti callipers and decent pads.

 

Am I right in thinking to swap all the discs and callipers, or just the front? Surely it would make sense to do front and back?

[fonzooorooo 10]

Just to clarify...everything enthusiastowned is saying is correct apart from that you need the system from a B4 Passat, not B3. B3 Passats use the same system as the Corrado, as do B4 VR6's. The only B4's that had the Teves20 system are 1.9TDi GL's (optional on CL's) and 2.0 petrol GL's (again optional on CL's).

 

I'd add that it was optional on GLs too (my B4 TDI GL certainly doesn't have ABS)