Well it's been an eventful couple of weeks. The engine management light came on after the roof spoiler was fitted. Straight into the garage for diagnostics and repair. New pcv fitted and still had an issue, so further diagnostic tests discovered that the timing had slipped a tooth on the belt. New belt water pump etc, also had the cam chain and follower done. And had the injectors cleaned and the intake and valves walnut blasted. Car runs a lot quieter and smoothly now. I highly recommend getting yourinjectors cleaned and the intake and valves blasted.

The bodywork is crackers - I did see this at UD 2025 but I didn't think to look at the back.
Love the attention to detail with the submarine lights, door handle lights, etc.

Keep your eyes peeled on this, for some changes coming soon. Big brake upgrades, looking for recommendations to fit behind 19x9 Bentley wheels. Plus some other special touches.

Calipers and discs from a Macan/TT (VBT) are a popular upgrade.

If you want to go BBK, then Racingline, AP, Alcon/Revo, Tarox and YSR are all worth a look.

Mind you, unless you're pushing silly power, you might want to think twice - especially with those wheels! BBK calipers are heavy and will make the ride pretty... less good.

2 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

Calipers and discs from a Macan/TT (VBT) are a popular upgrade.

If you want to go BBK, then Racingline, AP, Alcon/Revo, Tarox and YSR are all worth a look.

Mind you, unless you're pushing silly power, you might want to think twice - especially with those wheels! BBK calipers are heavy and will make the ride pretty... less good.

Thanks for your input. I'm planning ahead, so my aim is for higher power eventually with an engine swap. I had seen some seat formentor akebono calipers available for it, but just looking at all options really. Just in case there is a better option.

12 minutes ago, Stiffshifter said:

Thanks for your input. I'm planning ahead, so my aim is for higher power eventually with an engine swap. I had seen some seat formentor akebono calipers available for it, but just looking at all options really. Just in case there is a better option.

I was going to say - Cupra Formentor/GTI CS/Mk8 R brakes might be worth a look. Only issue is, they aren't that cheap, and by the time you've done all that, you may as well get a fancy BBK.

Can I ask - are you tracking the car? If it's just standard road use, then the 340/310mm setup from vRS 245/GTI PP/R/S3/etc works really well up to about 400/450bhp with some nice pads. What wheel/tyre size are you currently running? Certainly, if you're looking at anything larger brake wise, I'd be looking at some chunkier tyres. BBK on a 225 section tyre is a bit overkill IMO, even on heavy track use - you just can't get the grip to really need and justify all those pistons.

17 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

I was going to say - Cupra Formentor/GTI CS/Mk8 R brakes might be worth a look. Only issue is, they aren't that cheap, and by the time you've done all that, you may as well get a fancy BBK.

Can I ask - are you tracking the car? If it's just standard road use, then the 340/310mm setup from vRS 245/GTI PP/R/S3/etc works really well up to about 400/450bhp with some nice pads. What wheel/tyre size are you currently running? Certainly, if you're looking at anything larger brake wise, I'd be looking at some chunkier tyres. BBK on a 225 section tyre is a bit overkill IMO, even on heavy track use - you just can't get the grip to really need and justify all those pistons.

I won't be tracking the car much if at all. The main aim is for better braking for everyday use and to look good behind the wheels at shows. The wheels are 19x9 and the tyres are 225/35/19. The bog standard vrs calipers don't do anything for me. So looking to improve the pedal feel and looks.

I think the first thing to say (without preaching to the choir) is that you can stick on some RS6 carbon ceramics, and your 60-0 distance will be the exact same. In fact, with the extra unsprung/rotating mass, it would probably be worse.

The only point of larger discs and calipers are for better thermal resistance - in other words, larger discs take longer to heat up. If you're not on track through, then you won't be benefitting from this.

While I'm not sure what setup you have at the moment, I will say that the standard 340mm discs and caliper setup on my vRS 245 really isn't the lightest. For comparison sake, the Racingline EVO 4-pot BBK comes in at 4.4kg per side (caliper, pads, carrier), compared to the hefty 8.6kg of the stock single piston setup. That's a huge difference. Frankly, even their 6-pot monoblock is a good 3kg lighter than the standard caliper.

Unless you're going to carbon ceramics, you'll find that bigger discs are heavier. For some idea, an average 310mm disc comes in at about 8.4kg, compared to the 10.8 of a 340mm. Those Akebono callipers call for 374x36mm discs - that's big.

Ultimately, it's about deciding what is more important to you. If it were me and I was going up to a larger engine, I would first consider doing some changes to the suspension and putting some 245, 255 or even 265 section tyres on there. Are your wheels definitely 9J? (The minimum tyre size for 9" is largely recommended at 235) From there, I'd do some braided lines, and look at a 345/355mm BBK - such as from Racingline, EBC, with some nice pads and uprated master cylinder/servo.

This setup would give you -

• Bigger, lighter and better looking calipers

• Bigger, better looking discs (that are probably only marginally heavier than OE)

• Better pedal feel with the lines, pads and rest of the system

• Better handling and braking (that can get the most out of the fancy new brakes)

I'd also look at some ducts to keep the system cool (more fun than anything else, really) - either the clip on RS3 style wishbone ones, or proper bumper vent ducts.

The only other thing to add, is it's not all fun with larger brakes/BBKs. Larger dual-piece discs are more prone to warping, larger calipers are more prone to damage on the UK roads (salt, etc) and usually worsen the NVH (pads don't have shims and the like, no dust boots, etc).

Personally I'd just stick some 340mm R brakes on it and spend the saved money on a bigger turbo!

21 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

I think the first thing to say (without preaching to the choir) is that you can stick on some RS6 carbon ceramics, and your 60-0 distance will be the exact same. In fact, with the extra unsprung/rotating mass, it would probably be worse.

The only point of larger discs and calipers are for better thermal resistance - in other words, larger discs take longer to heat up. If you're not on track through, then you won't be benefitting from this.

While I'm not sure what setup you have at the moment, I will say that the standard 340mm discs and caliper setup on my vRS 245 really isn't the lightest. For comparison sake, the Racingline EVO 4-pot BBK comes in at 4.4kg per side (caliper, pads, carrier), compared to the hefty 8.6kg of the stock single piston setup. That's a huge difference. Frankly, even their 6-pot monoblock is a good 3kg lighter than the standard caliper.

Unless you're going to carbon ceramics, you'll find that bigger discs are heavier. For some idea, an average 310mm disc comes in at about 8.4kg, compared to the 10.8 of a 340mm. Those Akebono callipers call for 374x36mm discs - that's big.

Ultimately, it's about deciding what is more important to you. If it were me and I was going up to a larger engine, I would first consider doing some changes to the suspension and putting some 245, 255 or even 265 section tyres on there. Are your wheels definitely 9J? (The minimum tyre size for 9" is largely recommended at 235) From there, I'd do some braided lines, and look at a 345/355mm BBK - such as from Racingline, EBC, with some nice pads and uprated master cylinder/servo.

This setup would give you -

• Bigger, lighter and better looking calipers

• Bigger, better looking discs (that are probably only marginally heavier than OE)

• Better pedal feel with the lines, pads and rest of the system

• Better handling and braking (that can get the most out of the fancy new brakes)

I'd also look at some ducts to keep the system cool (more fun than anything else, really) - either the clip on RS3 style wishbone ones, or proper bumper vent ducts.

The only other thing to add, is it's not all fun with larger brakes/BBKs. Larger dual-piece discs are more prone to warping, larger calipers are more prone to damage on the UK roads (salt, etc) and usually worsen the NVH (pads don't have shims and the like, no dust boots, etc).

Personally I'd just stick some 340mm R brakes on it and spend the saved money on a bigger turbo!

It's definitely a lot to consider when making this decision. My engine plan is putting an na engine in for now running 300bhp. Then later down the line turbocharging it. And seeing what power that makes. Although I've been told the stock internals are good for around 550bhp. I would also be going 4wd too. This is all purely for show and the occasional bit of spirited driving. The wheels are definitely 9j and the tyres have a slight stretch. The car is on new yellowspeed racing coilovers. So suspension is pretty much sorted other than some poly bushes. I'll look into the rs3 brake ducts definitely. As it all helps.

300bhp the stock brakes are fine. 550bhp I would be looking at wider tyres, bigger brakes and some beefing up of the platform. Heck, if you're doing an AWD conversion, I'd even look at a bolt in half cage. It'll look cool and, on the rare occasion you do put your foot down, will give you some extra chassis stiffness and safety.

I know someone that has done an AWD conversion in his Mk2. If you PM some contact info, I can see if he'll give you some pointers - he's dead friendly and has done more than one conversion.

If you’re doing an AWD conversion, look up Mk5 Gti AWD conversions for all the info you need as it’s the same swap bar you don’t have to remove the wheel well in the boot to clear the diff.

Engine swap, on you tube “humble mechanic” does a bit of a guide into VAG engine swaps, will take you into a rabbit hole of engine wiring diagrams.

That will get you going and keep you busy for a bit 👍

I’m 2 x AWD conversion down now and 1 x engine swap 👍

Good luck, should be an awesome project when done 🙌🏻

2 minutes ago, Vrsburnzy said:

If you’re doing an AWD conversion, look up Mk5 Gti AWD conversions for all the info you need as it’s the same swap bar you don’t have to remove the wheel well in the boot to clear the diff.

Engine swap, on you tube “humble mechanic” does a bit of a guide into VAG engine swaps, will take you into a rabbit hole of engine wiring diagrams.

That will get you going and keep you busy for a bit 👍

I’m 2 x AWD conversion down now and 1 x engine swap 👍

Good luck, should be an awesome project when done 🙌🏻

Thanks for getting in touch, never done a swap like this so it's all new to me. My concerns were with the diff interfering with the wheel well. As i have the audio setup in there and don't fancy having to relocate it.

As mentioned, you don’t need to touch the wheel well, a 2.5” exhaust can be made to go round quite easily, but a 3” exhaust is a bit more difficult although doable as on my grey one.

On the smaller mk5 chassis the diff sits underneath the wheel well but is infront of the wheel well on the Octavia chassis.

Everything else is done the exact same, wiring, parts the lot 👍

That's fantastic to hear thanks. Just need to save some pennies to buy the conversion parts now. Or find a cheap complete golf for the running gear.

Few photos from a couple of meets we attended last weekend.

Latest modifications to the car, mk3 flat bottom steering wheel. With button delete. Save all that hassle of fitting and coding etc.

New steering wheel fitted. Looks and feels better than the old one.

Did you get the blanks from Aliexpress, or are they custom jobs? Look very smart.

I'm in a group of 100 people or so, planning a Skoda/vRS meet up. Maybe you'd like to tag along? We've got two AWD converted Mk2s (one with the 3.2 V6 as you know)

Edited 3 May, 20251 yr by OccyVRS

2 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

Did you get the blanks from Aliexpress, or are they custom jobs? Look very smart.

I'm in a group of 100 people or so, planning a Skoda/vRS meet up. Maybe you'd like to tag along? We've got two AWD converted Mk2s (one with the 3.2 V6 as you know)

The blanks came from cars equipment website. Genuine skoda items for the mk3 wheel.

Quick update, we are now running air ride suspension. All because I bottomed out on the coilovers, on the way in and out the local shell station. Even at an angle it scraped lol. Nice subtle setup which does the job.

Small update on the car, still going strong after the engine issues. Booked in for another exhaust system in January, cat back 3" cobra sports system. And at some point will get my new wheels from my sponsor on. Not a full sponsorship but got a massive deal. Here's a couple of pics to tease.

Wheels went on last Wednesday. I think they look great on the car. Just looking for some better looking brakes to sit behind them now. Couple little touch ups planned ready for show season.

Well since the last post, the turbo back exhaust is done. And new calipers acquired.

Sound clip.

A shot someone took at edition show last weekend.