adjat84th
Veteran Member
Looking into upgrading brakes on my MK7 Golf and have my eyes set on GTI brakes that come standard with the performance package. In my searching, it appears that only the caliper carriers need to be acquired in order to fit the standard GTI rotors as they use the same caliper as the Golf. In going one step further, it looks as though the carriers from the PP GTI will also work with the difference only being that the PP uses a 60mm piston vs 57mm. My question is, how big of a difference will it make to use the standard 57mm piston calipers on my Golf on a larger 340mm rotor with larger pad where a 60mm piston is used with the PP? This would be far cheaper than going with other big brake kits available out there!
End result update: went with the 18z kit from Rotorlab and am thoroughly happy I went that direction for the increased performance, looks, and cost versus other BBKs. I went into the install thinking I was going to be taking a bunch of pictures, but the process was too simple:
1) raise vehicle and remove wheels
2) remove 2 - 21mm bolts that hold the carrier to the spindle and pry the caliper away from the rotor and set out of the way
3) remove the 1 - T30 screw holding the rotor, then three more T30 screws holding the dust shields to the spindle
4) clean surface of mounting tabs and rotor hub, then mount new rotor with same T30 screw
5) mount new caliper and snug it down to check clearances of the rotor. I ended up using 2.5mm thick washers to bring the caliper inboard which put the rotor within 1mm of center
6) factory torque is 200Nm (147lb-ft) on the factory bolts, so did the same with these
7) threw in Bosch quietcast pads and the 18z kit's included pad hardware
8) install USP Mk4 R32 stainless lines and make sure all connections are snug. Note, ECS tuning uses a different fitting that is keyed to fit a Mk4, not the different Mk7 key. USP just uses a smaller fitting that appears to be rather universal so to speak.
9) I bled all four brakes just because it was due
The pedal will engage lower than stock due to the added volume of the system, but the braking power available is ridiculous. In normal braking situations, and after driving 400 miles on the brakes this weekend, I barely notice it other than when going for a hard stop. There is still the possibility of upgrading to the GTI master cylinder which has a little more capacity, but for now I'm plenty happy with how things are stopping!
End result update: went with the 18z kit from Rotorlab and am thoroughly happy I went that direction for the increased performance, looks, and cost versus other BBKs. I went into the install thinking I was going to be taking a bunch of pictures, but the process was too simple:
1) raise vehicle and remove wheels
2) remove 2 - 21mm bolts that hold the carrier to the spindle and pry the caliper away from the rotor and set out of the way
3) remove the 1 - T30 screw holding the rotor, then three more T30 screws holding the dust shields to the spindle
4) clean surface of mounting tabs and rotor hub, then mount new rotor with same T30 screw
5) mount new caliper and snug it down to check clearances of the rotor. I ended up using 2.5mm thick washers to bring the caliper inboard which put the rotor within 1mm of center
6) factory torque is 200Nm (147lb-ft) on the factory bolts, so did the same with these
7) threw in Bosch quietcast pads and the 18z kit's included pad hardware
8) install USP Mk4 R32 stainless lines and make sure all connections are snug. Note, ECS tuning uses a different fitting that is keyed to fit a Mk4, not the different Mk7 key. USP just uses a smaller fitting that appears to be rather universal so to speak.
9) I bled all four brakes just because it was due
The pedal will engage lower than stock due to the added volume of the system, but the braking power available is ridiculous. In normal braking situations, and after driving 400 miles on the brakes this weekend, I barely notice it other than when going for a hard stop. There is still the possibility of upgrading to the GTI master cylinder which has a little more capacity, but for now I'm plenty happy with how things are stopping!
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