312mm brakes
From THE Corrado Forum Knowledge Base
This is the (hopefully) definitive guide to what you need to fit 312mm brakes to your VR6 Corrado. Unfortunately, it's a VR6-only option because you need 5 stud hubs.
Now these are big brakes - so you're going to need at least 16" wheels to fit them on. Remember, 312mm is just over 12", sir ;)
So, once you've got that, you're going to need to source the brake parts. The 312mm brakes come on quite a few different Mk4 Golf variants, but the callipers are actually the same as the 288 Mk3 and Mk4 Golfs (apart from the banjo bolt thread size - more on that later!).
However, for a little bit of added spice, the Mk4 Golf variants use a different hub offset to the Mk3/Corrado setup, so you also need to use 6mm of washers and longer carrier->hub bolts in order for the callipers to line up with the new disks.
You will need to use 6mm of washers to space the carriers futher in-board and line-up with the disk. Either way, you're going to need some different length bolts, which also need to be high-tensile (I'm told 40mm).
Contents |
You will need
The essentials
- Mk2 -> Mk4 Goodridge hose kit*
- Brake callipers from any Mk4 Golf (late Mk3s have 288mm brakes which use the same callipers, but they might be a bit old and crusty by now and you'll need different banjo bolts - see footnote).
- 4 of M12x6mm washers, ideally in something sturdy like stainless steel
- 4 spring washers suitable for an M12 bolt
- 4 of M12x1.5x40 High tensile "set screws". These need to be rated at least 10.9 (most normal bolts are 8.8 so beware! Similarly, anything Stainless Steel will be 8.8 or less) I went for some 12.9 cap-head bolts in err something black :)
- 312mm brake carriers and disks off any of the cars listed below (there may be more!):
Audi
- A3 1.8 20V Turbo from 1996
- A3 Quattro 1.8 20V Turbo (110/132 KW) from 1998
- A3 1.9 TDI (96 KW) from 2000
- S3 Quattro 1.8 20V Turbo from 1999
- TT 1.8 20V Turbo (110/132 KW) from 1998
- TT Quattro 1.8 20V Turbo (132/165 KW) from 1998
Seat
- Toledo II 2.3 V5 from 1999
- Leon 1.8 20V Turbo from 2000
Skoda
- Octavia 1.8 20V Turbo from 1998
- Octavia 1.8 20V Turbo RS from 2000
- Fabia vRS
VW
- Golf IV 2.3 V5 from 11.1997
- Golf IV 2.8 V6 24V 4motion from 1999
- Golf IV 1.9 TDI (96/110 KW) from 2000
- Golf IV 2.3 V5 from 1999
- Golf IV 1.9 TDI (96 KW) from 2001
- New Beetle 1.8 20V Turbo from 1999
- New Beetle 2.3 V5 from 2000
For the geeks among you (ok, so everyone then :) ) the carrier part number is: **0 615 125 (*s because it's a different start number depending on if it's off a Golf or a TT etc)
And the number for the brake disks is: 8N0 615 301A
Extra (optional) goodies
As I wanted to be thorough, I've also gone for some other goodies...
- Goodridge hoses all round
- Pagid FR pads (the standard VAG pads are Pagid, but the Fast Roads are a bit more meaty)
- 2 litres of DOT 5.1 brake fluid to flush the whole brake system and clutch cylinder
Costs
Obviously the exact price you pay is going to depend greatly on how much you can obtain the 312mm brakes for. Make sure you're sitting down if you want to get them new from VAG tho ;)
However, to give you an idea of costs, this is what I paid for everything...
- £265 for the brakes (callipers, carriers, disks hoses & VW pads) delivered from ebay. They're slightly used, but look like new.
- £76 for the 6-line Goodridge hose kit
- £5.50 for the longer bolts and washers
- £50 (inc VAT) for the Pagid FR pads (GSF)
- £20 for 2litres of DOT 5.1 fluid to do a whole system flush (Halfords stuff)
- £23 for Folia-Tec calliper paint (keeps the virtually new callipers and carriers looking clean)
- For info New Carriers from VAG are £120 a pair!
Fitting
Fitting is actually fairly straightforward once you've managed to source all the parts. You just need to make sure that you space the carrier into the right position so that it lines up centrally with the disk.
If you look at the back of the hub, you will need...
Hub -> 6mm of washers/spacer -> carrier -> spring washer -> bolt head
I'll take a piccie soon ;)
Don't forget the spring washer - it stops the bolt from working it's way loose!
Footnote
If you're using callipers from a Mk3 Golf (or it would seem - most, if not all 288mm callipers), then you'll also need some coarser thread banjo bolts than the ones that come in the Goodridge kit. You need 1.5mm thread ones, but the Goodridge kit comes with 1mm ones (which are fine for Mk4 callipers). The 1.5mm ones can either be the standard Mk3 ones, or after-market ones. Just be warned that you can't get just the banjo bolts from VW, you have to buy the whole flexi-hose which is about £20+VAT a side. Banjo bolts can be bought online for very little money - about £3 each if you have a search online - you need 10x10x1.5 ones ;)
For anyone experiencing poor brake pedal feel after completing the 312mm upgrade help may be at hand. My brake set up uses all OE pads and discs and a MKIV rear calliper upgrade and stainless hoses throughout. Since my upgrade my pedal feel has been less than convincing despite a thourough bleed on set up but it did improve after bedding in but was far from good. I spoke with Jeff Webb at Dubsport who explained that in order to bleed the brakes thouroughly it can be necessary to bleed valves on the ABS and brake mastercylinder. This has now been done and I now have the brakes I always wanted. Thanks to Jeff. You may wish to consider this if you have similar problems.