Brake Upgrade

[VanBlanc]

Despite plenty of conversation with the dealer and my opting for 16" wheels to add my 17" later not once did bigger brakes enter into the equation.

I am not sure if my T5.1 has them and that was specd with 17" but I like the idea of bigger fronts if not rears. So how easy would an upgrade be? Is it simply discs, carriers and callipers or is anything else involved?

on the other hand at VW prices that could be silly compared to a decent aftermarket set up. Any thoughts?

 

[StudleyGlass]

I think i am right in saying the T32 204ps have big discs and calipers fitted as standard also cuostom vanz do forge big brake kits which are very nice.

VW T5 T6 Conversions Specialists | CUSTOMVANZ RACELINE

They also sell the ones they removed , there must be sets of t32 204 big brake sets here
Custom Vanz
8 September at 19:10 ·
BRAKE CALLIPERS, DISCS AND PADS
These are mounting up now, over 40 sets. They are brand new from delivery mileage vans. Two discs, two callipers and pads for £200. If you are interested then please call. Don't send messages, you know i don't answer messages. Pick the phone up, it takes a lot less of my time and is far easier.

 

[VanBlanc]

Those are only single pot callipers so not big brakes that I believe have twin pot as well as bigger disc?

Aha! Further down the page they have the big discs and callipers, £750, but no carriers?

Are the rears the same size whatever?

 

[StudleyGlass]

Yes they have big brakes they have taken off too, best call them really.
I image the big brakes off the 204ps will just bolt on, as the rest is all the same i believe

Im not an expert but i think all the rears are the same size on all T6.

 

[RattyMcClelland]

In went with
- Vagbremtechnic carriers. Also comes with hel braided brake lines. £250.
- 2012 Audi rs3 brembo 4pot calipers and ebc red stuff pads. £450
- 340mm ebc discs £170

 

[StudleyGlass]

sounds nice @RattyMcClelland . look forward to seeing them fitted on yours soon then

 

[Caravellet6]

Big brakes seem pretty good to me, are the smaller brakes poor?

 

[RattyMcClelland]

The standard brakes are fine. They will still lock the wheels up.

Bigger brakes won't stop the Van any better. Breaking distance will still be the same. Better tyres and less weight determine braking distance.

In my case I upgraded the brakes for looks under 20" wheels. The other advantages would be better bite and better heat control and less fade.

 

[chriscroft]

setting looks aside, the vw oem brakes on the 17" wheel set up are really very good. I cannot see how the forge can be any better in normal world use; if you where racing then yes the heat fade may be a problem; but normal use, perfect.

 

[Roadrunner]

Mate of mine at work got some BMW discs and six pot callipers which he refurbished an intends to fit to his T5. This he showed them on the T5 forum. There is a lot of work and fabrication he is doing to get them right.
I through the Std brakes should work fine, you only need to upgrade if you start feeling the engine.

 

[RattyMcClelland]

Agreed big brakes won't reduce stopping distance. You can still lock the wheels with small brakes. Better tyres = less locking.

Weight of the vehicle and tyre compound and width (nothing to do with wheel diameter size so vanity is irrelevant) dictate stopping distance.

More pistons in the caliper distribute the breaking force out across the pad for more even wear and heat control. Bigger discs hold in more heat and fade less.

Bigger brakes will also have more bite.

 

[superflyguy]

Jesus I didn't think Top Trumps was still around nowadays
I have brakes, they work simples

 

[mhill]

You don't see usain bolt running in Ballet pumps, he needs the spikes and the specialist rubber to apply the power same when he stops.

 

[superflyguy]

I once saw Frank Bruno in a dress at a pantomime, I found it disturbing at the time, but maybe there was a method in his madness. No relevance to brakes but his career stopped pretty rapidly afterwards.

 

[480bhp]

A 315 profile tyre could have no more rubber on the road than a 215 tyre unless the tyre pressures are identical.
the 315 tyre would have a wide but shallow footprint whereas the 215 tyre would have a narrower but longer footprint.
The tyres foot print is governed by the weight placed on it and the pressure it is inflated too.
A wider profile tyre is generally better for lateral loads than a narrower tyre.

As for the brakes, bigger is usually better/more efficient, assuming you can get them working in the right temp range, a larger disc/caliper combination has more leverage than a smaller disc when clamped by the pads/caliper.

You also have 2 different types of mass to consider, the vans weight could be considered unchanged with either combination of disc/tyre/wheel, but the rotational mass the brake has to stop can change significantly between 2 different offerings, heavier tyres and wheels will increase the stopping distance of the van compared to lighter wheels and tyres.

I'm not going to get in to the debate of which is better as there is many variables than just disc or tyre size alone.

 

[VanBlanc]

I posed the original question asking for thoughts. I have had heard enough now to know that I am not missing anything and I have noted them my T5.1 doesn't have them.

In the end the size of the brakes is not going to make one iota of difference in stopping my van even if they look pretty. Slamming on the brakes will induce lock up that will initiate the ABS. I am going for 235/55/17 that gives me a much bigger contact patch than the standard 16" which is far better value than bigger brakes. End of.

 

[RattyMcClelland]

You don't see usain bolt running in Ballet pumps, he needs the spikes and the specialist rubber to apply the power same when he stops.

Usain needs to use some 1990s Nike Air max. I swear I ran much quicker to the sweet shop as a kid wearing them. Plus a shell suit for the uber chaffing noises.


I upgraded to big brakes mainly for looks under 20" wheels. Small looking brakes are a pet peeve of mine.

 

[shylock]

Anyway you guys let's have some pics of big brakes, bit like a big brake porn thing, you know , here's one I liked .. ooohhh lovely

 

[Roadrunner]

View attachment 2288 Anyway you guys let's have some pics of big brakes, bit like a big brake porn thing, you know , here's one I liked .. ooohhh lovely

I'll get one when my mate has put his on but thet will look similar only instead of Brembo he has Porshe on his keeping in with the VAG theme.

 

[Jay]

I tested the standard brakes out on the first day of owning the vel. A lorry had broken down on a corner and as i came past a car went to pull round it. Slammed on the anchors and it saved me. Was very close and nearly ended up in the ditch. Not sure bigger brakes would have given me much extra, but the big brakes do look good under big alloys so for me, 'if' i get them its purly for my vanity....