Hi all,

Earlier this week, I was able to fit the 312mm brake conversion to my 1.9TDi Elegance, with the help of a mechanic friend. As well as the usual parts such as discs, pads, calipers and carriers (in this case from a 1.8T Audi TT), non-vRS models also require different hubs. Skoda wanted funny money for a new pair, which initially ruled out me carrying out this upgrade, but I managed to source the correct hubs from an Ibiza FR that was being stripped after a rear-end shunt for much less.

The original brakes were 256mm...tiny in comparison to the 312's Although I don't usually push the car hard, I have experienced brake fade a few times and the feel through the pedal was never great. Plus, big brakes look better, fact!

I did almost suffer a massive ****-up though. I wasn't actually aware why or how the two sets of hubs were different. I had the caliper bolts, but no carrier bolts, so I assumed I'd be able to re-use the existing carrier bolts if need be. Wrong...because they didn't exist. The carrier and hub were one single casting!

Fortunately, my friend is a genius and a hoarder, and we soon discovered that wheel bearing housing bolts from a Mk4 Vauxhall Astra would not only fit, but were of the correct tensile strength. Pikey solutions at their finest

Anyway, here's some photos:

Old 256's:

New 312's:

256mm VS 312mm:

Behind the Evolos:

Not only do they look a lot more manly, but the feel through the pedal has been greatly improved (fresh brake fluid as well). I haven't done any full-on emergency stops yet as I want things to bed in properly, but it ought to stop better too going by first impressions

My little mistake notwithstanding, the conversion was also quite straightforward, in a properly equipped garage at least.

All comments or questions welcome!

Cheers,

Andrew

Cool, just running Fabia II vRS brakes front and rear on my MPi now, much the same conversion but even that is a massive improvement

Cool, just running Fabia II vRS brakes front and rear on my MPi now, much the same conversion but even that is a massive improvement

Ah nice! That can't have been cheap given the car hasn't been that long out...they haven't started pranging them already surely? :p

Your pictorial guide was a great help by the way

They are the brakes off my old Ibiza, same as the Fabia.

They are the brakes off my old Ibiza, same as the Fabia.

Ah, the Boca? That makes sense

Good work, including the pikey workaround!

Look much better

Good work, including the pikey workaround!

Look much better

Thanks!

I drove approx. 240 miles yesterday from the north of Scotland to Glasgow, and they seem to have bedded in nicely

Nice one Andrew, they fill the Evolo's much better than the originals!

Nice one Andrew, they fill the Evolo's much better than the originals!

Haha cheers! Damn right they do (Ignore the smears, that's rain repellant curing on the glass)

I drove approx. 240 miles yesterday from the north of Scotland to Glasgow, and they seem to have bedded in nicely

For info, have a look here:

http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Brake_pad_bedding_in_procedure

I think I'd trust a Lotus development engineer

For info, have a look here:

http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Brake_pad_bedding_in_procedure

I think I'd trust a Lotus development engineer

I used that, and I needed a new set of discs afterwards.... Performance pads yes, bed them in using that method, but for normal OEM pads, I still think driving normally beds them in better. Had no issues with fade running standard discs, pads and fluid at Castle Combe recently.

What size are new vRS brakes anyway?

What size are new vRS brakes anyway?

MkII vRS uses 288mm discs, with the same ATE calliper as the 312mm conversion, just a different carrier to fit the smaller disc.

MkII vRS uses 288mm discs, with the same ATE calliper as the 312mm conversion, just a different carrier to fit the smaller disc.

So if I wanted 312mm's all I'd need is 312mm disks and pads and 312mm carriers?

I used that, and I needed a new set of discs afterwards.... Performance pads yes, bed them in using that method, but for normal OEM pads, I still think driving normally beds them in better. Had no issues with fade running standard discs, pads and fluid at Castle Combe recently.

Fair enough. Depends what kit you're running - what pad and disc combo will affect what they'll be able to stand upto.

But I've never had issue with using that method myself.

You've done well to not have issue with a completely standard spec setup on track though....

Fair enough. Depends what kit you're running - what pad and disc combo will affect what they'll be able to stand upto.

But I've never had issue with using that method myself.

You've done well to not have issue with a completely standard spec setup on track though....

Well I limit myself to 15 mins max out on track, as after that I feel I need a break, and it gives the car chance to cool off, so its probably not enough time to cook the brakes good and proper

Everyone's different though, I feel I don't need to spend out on performance pads for my needs

So if I wanted 312mm's all I'd need is 312mm disks and pads and 312mm carriers?

Yarp, as you have a vRS which already has the correct hubs :yes:

If i changing hub, do i also need new alloys? I am a bit confused, im sure im mixing up the things.. I have non-vrs ATD fabia, with standard hub (57,1mm), i will need a new one (65mm from vRS or FR), but can i still put my old 16" alloys on it?

 

Anyone could answer this, please?

Thanks!

Edited 24 November, 201510 yr by szedy

Blimey, this thread's a blast from the past! It was last updated 4 years ago

 

Also started by a member who is sadly no longer with us, so that's brought back some memories too....

 

For the hub question - no that will remain at 57.1mm. So if you're upgrading to the 312mm brake setup, you can still use your 16s. The brake setup looks good under a 16" wheel too as it fills most of the inside of the wheel  

Here's how they look behind a 16" wheel. That's a Seat Sport Speedline there from one of my Fabias.

 

Yes, i wanted to ask Leodhasach, and then I saw the post on his wall :(

 

Didnt want to post a new thread.

 

Thanks for you answer! I already upgraded to long gearbox, GT2052v, now it's 180hp, so i badly need to upgrade brakes, before going further