H&R Monotube Coilovers + Brake Upgrade (312mm)

[32KOFDATA]

Thought I post here my latest two upgrades as it will probably interest a few of you.

Some history before going ahead - for over a year now I've been running on KONI Sports and on stock 256mm brakes. During September the car had to take the role of safety car at the local rally race and for two days the little Fabia was really pushed to its limits going up, down left and right through numerous tracks. It was evident that something had to be done about the body roll and handling plus the brakes at one point just didn't want to behave right. At one stop they even started smoking like crazy - they got ****ed off or what?

Anyways to keep a long story short and after some research online I ended up buying a set of H&R Monotube Coilovers (Code: 29015-5 - Skoda Fabia RS Lim.+Kombi / Sedan+SW Typ 5J) and for my brake upgrade I went for a set of stock 312mm front brakes/ discs and 256mm brakes / discs at the back.

Coilovers:

Regarding first impressions the coilovers look very well built - great finish and construction (made in Germany and TUV approved)and they are only height adjustable 20-50mm front and rear (there is also an ultra low version goes down to 70/80mm) Shame the rear ones are not the same color but who cares. In the box you get all necessary accessories, springs and tools you will need for a smooth installation and only extras were a new set of top mounts, same as found in the "Seat Leon Cupra R" (they are a bit stiffer and last a bit longer opposed to the standard ones) and of course a set of bearings.

Regarding performance, well in short, I got a new car! :love: I can push to much higher speeds through corners, body roll has been toned down much, much more (keep in mind I got a Whiteline at the back too) ride is not as bouncy as it was before and the car feels well planted to the road. I was also impressed to find out that in the city these coilovers are quite comfortable which means, since this is my daily driver, that it will not become annoying and tiring. One more thing to note is that the more I went through corners the more the coilovers got gradually firmer - I was expecting some degradation in handing but they did the opposite. Not sure if that is psychological or that is what was actually happening but I will surely find out what is going on - if anyone knows please let me know. :think:

Why monotubes I hear you asking? have a look at the video below - they explain things much better than I do:

At this point I would like to thank Mike and Andy at Awesome GTI for helping me track these coilovers down, get me all the extras necessary and sending them through so quick. Thanks guys for all the help

Brakes:

Now on to upgrading the brakes - rather than going for a set from an aftermarket manufacturer I decided to get myself a set of stock 312mm brakes for the front plus discs (by Bendix) and for the rears 256mm brakes and move my old front discs to the back. Brake pads all around are ATE which are usually found on all VW Group cars. Got them all painted red and installed them without any issues at all. We didn't even had to change lines so that was nice.

Regarding performance I can't tell you what big difference they've made from the 256mm/238mm I previously had. Nice and progressive braking without any noticeable degradation after too many tries (of course only a track day will give me the full picture and during all this the car was very well balanced, no tail or front going sideways just nice and straight. Also the ABS in most cases engaged far less than before.

Only thing that we have to look into is the brake pump. At the moment the pedal feels a bit spongy and my mechs suspicion is that the brake pump is not that powerful as the ones found in the vRS and Octavia. Maybe in the near future, ABS sensor permitting, a brake pump upgrade will be in order.

Final note... at last I got a handbreak!!! Before, everytime I parked on steep hills the moment I got out of the car the handbrake would squeak and creek like a wooden floorboard. I had to always put it in gear to make sure it will not start running down the road. Now from the second/third click of the handbrake you feel how stronger these brakes are.

Overall both great upgrades to any Fabia - very much recommended. At the moment I'm just lovin it

I'm number 119?

apparently we are sharing the same rear shock absorbers with the Audi A1?

The top mounts (same as found on the Seat Leon Cupra R) and bearings.

Brakes, brakes, brakes.. the full conversion kit before it got painted.

Front during installation

Rears during installation

Ate brake pads

The new stance

Really fills that Gigaro by the way it seems that much larger brakes can be fitted with these rims. 325mm and probably a bit more.

Happy days :sun:

[Panosm]

Mpravo patrida, ola super fenonte!

and a sort-of translation of the above; "Looooking good!"..

[irfant]

Top job

[Guest Sib-rs]

Looks absolutely spot on!! great job!

[John Eva]

Looks absolutely mint and I should imagine the extra performance is much welcomed.

[32KOFDATA]

Cheers guys indeed they have changed the character of the car.

[OwenPaul11]

What engine is it the car?

[32KOFDATA]

It's a 1.4 (16V) MPI

[Fabialt]

Looks really good, any idea how big a drop the cars on in the pictures? 30mm?

[lippylj]

Have you looked at getting braided brake hoses,that will take alot of the spongey enough away,mark octy VRS lines will fit.

[32KOFDATA]

Looks really good, any idea how big a drop the cars on in the pictures? 30mm?

At the day of shoot it was at just about 40mm.

Have you looked at getting braided brake hoses,that will take alot of the spongey enough away,mark octy VRS lines will fit.

After the installation the spongy feell has be reduced but has not disappeared - will at some point try braided hoses, thanks for the suggestion

[grapo]

Nice upgrades. Car is looking good

[Gregs79]

The car looks well. Nice post on the Monotubes.