Hi all!

Recently had to change my Fabia 3 '08 TDI (1.9) for a 2010 model. One of the changes is the deletion of the rear discs from the '08 to drums on the 2010. Now as I intend to 'improve' the power via a remap (up to 170BHP from 105), and as the feel of the brakes isn't as 'crisp' on the new car - the pedal feels more 'squashy' on the newer model - it's not much, but having been spoilt with a rock solid pedal and impressive braking before, I'm thinking I'll want to imrove the rear brake specification.

Two ways to go: On the assumption the braking system is fine (no air etc., which I intend to check this weekend), I could either do the simple fix - improved specification brake material all round, or go the whole hog and retro-fit the discs, if I can find the parts needed off a donor car. Not only should this imrove the feel and performance, there's an added benefit in the 'looks' department as well (for those in the know!)

Has anybody done this, is there a link to follow, what other parts other than the obvious (discs, calipers,) am I likely to need? For example, will the existing handbrake cable simply fit to the new arrangement?

Any views on whether the material change will make a noticeable difference?

Thanks in advance.

Handbrake shoes, id imangine the handbrake and brake line fittings could also be different.

Theres possibly an extra bracket required to fit the caliper on too.

Ideally you want a doner car so you have both side by side by side so can take whats required.

170bhp? From which engine? Not a TDI...

I have mixed feelings about my brakes, they feel squishy in normal use, but the few times I've really had to use them, they are great. When I switch to my wife's Golf, I always throw myself through the windscreen on the first application, as I am calibrated to Monte squish!

Yes what got into SUK insisting it's customers have old tech drums on the back.

Having driven the latest GreenLine a few times, which does have 'proper' rear brakes, I can say without doubt is noticeable better. Shame on you SUK for not putting safety first again; like only optional ESP.

TP

Now as I intend to 'improve' the power via a remap (up to 170BHP from 105)...

105 > 170 with just a remap?

You could install 238 at the back.

I'm guessing that you got 288 at the front so it will be a good balance.

Best of luck extracting 170hp from a 1.6 tdi with a remap!

Not sure how much work would go into changing rear drums to discs but suspect it'll be expensive and possibly a little pointless.

The Fabia spec in the UK is wierd; why the greenline hatch with a 1.2TDi engine should get discs over the 1.6TDi and 1.2 TSi's doesn't make sense at all. Same goes for the spec, you can order all the options under the sun for the hatch variant but barely anything on the estate. Similar to not being able to spec MFSW and Bluetooth on a manual Octavia vRS!!

Now as I intend to 'improve' the power via a remap (up to 170BHP from 105)

No chance of that unfortunately

Sorry alll, may have mislead - the car is one of the last of the 1.9 TDI's, so a straight remap should take it to 170 as it did with the old 1.9?

The 08 car went to around 150 on a rolling road - so more at the crank - I intend to repeat the sam remap.

Anyway good points about backward steps and not thinking safety from SUK. Not sure how much they save at the factory fitting discs, but it can't be much or they wouldn't heave fitted them in the first place.

Keep on with the suggestions, still want to improve brake feel and potential stopping power.

You may have to swap the whole rear axle with one from a fabia that has discs already, but don't quote me on that.

Looks aside, 75% of the braking, if not closer to 80% for such a nose-heavy car, is done by the front brakes. I don't think the cash outlay (for whatever modification is needed) will be reflected in the performance gain. Try steel braided brake lines for better pedal feel. On the other hand, bigger brakes at the front is definitely going to improve stopping power significantly and would be money well spent.

Edited 30 November, 201213 yr by FAB59

As said above fitting rear discs will be mostly an aesthetic change. Although one i'm considering myself!

To be honest i thought i would try and get the full rear axle setup from a vrs and either fit vrs fronts to match or other.

But i said i wasn't going to mod so these are my secret plans

The Greenline has them already and my guess is as they save a little weight over drums/shoe set up. I think the newer Greenie even has recuperative braking but not too sure! The ethos of the Greenie is to lose weight in order to reduce wasted fuel.

BTW, if it is purely for the eye, have you seen the "Fake" Disc brakes that sit behind the wheel? A little like a spacer, covering the drum and giving a disc brake look... Not the best thing in the world but easily fitted and removed, perhaps switchable should your next set of wheels have ye olde worlde stoppers from the land that time forgot!

Edited 30 November, 201213 yr by mrgf