286 to 300mm brake disc upgrade

[JAMZILLA321]

If I do this upgrade all I need is the new 300mm disc and the bigger carriers right? I wondering if the callipers are the same then what happens to the brake pads? Do I buy the 300mm version of the brake pads because if I buy the old ones won’t I have the same braking because the same amount of surface will touch the brake pad? Will the 300mm version of the brake pads (if they exist - I am very confused ) fit in the old calliper? Any help appreciated

 

[Mike Fishwick]

The 300 mm brake usues the same cliper as the 286 mm type. As the pads are further from the centre of the hub, they will have more leverage than the original type, and therefore better brakes. I do not think the 300 mm pad is different, as the radius is only 7 mm greater. In any case, the original pads will operate well, and the brake will have more inital bite - as on the 3 litre models.

Whether the change is worthwhile depends on how much you have to pay for the 300 mm caliper carriers. They are very common, having been used on a lot of 3 Series and other cars - but some breakers ask the earth for them! They usually prefer to sell complete hub assemblies, but that does not excuse the crazy prices which can be asked - I enquired at FAB Dismantlers, and was asked for £300! I would try asking at a non-enthusiast scrappie.

 

[JAMZILLA321]

The 300 mm brake usues the same cliper as the 286 mm type. As the pads are further from the centre of the hub, they will have more leverage than the original type, and therefore better brakes. I do not think the 300 mm pad is different, as the radius is only 7 mm greater. In any case, the original pads will operate well, and the brake will have more inital bite - as on the 3 litre models.

Whether the change is worthwhile depends on how much you have to pay for the 300 mm caliper carriers. They are very common, having been used on a lot of 3 Series and other cars - but some breakers ask the earth for them! They usually prefer to sell complete hub assemblies, but that does not excuse the crazy prices which can be asked - I enquired at FAB Dismantlers, and was asked for £300! I would try asking at a non-enthusiast scrappie.

Thank you that’s helpful - nice z3 by the way - I know this is off topic but what colour coolant for the z3? And does the engine matter because I have 1.9i

 

[Mike Fishwick]

Colour of antifreeze does not really matter blue, green, or even brown on VW long life! The engines using an iron block should probably have a coolant change every couple of years, whereas the all-aluninium engines do not have dissimilar metals, and are more forgiving.

 

[JAMZILLA321]

Thanks! Is your z3 hellrot 415 or 314?

 

[Lee]

If I do this upgrade all I need is the new 300mm disc and the bigger carriers right? I wondering if the callipers are the same then what happens to the brake pads? Do I buy the 300mm version of the brake pads because if I buy the old ones won’t I have the same braking because the same amount of surface will touch the brake pad? Will the 300mm version of the brake pads (if they exist - I am very confused ) fit in the old calliper? Any help appreciated

Cheapest way to do it is buy the (E46) 3 series 2.5 calliper & carriers, they use the 300mm disc and those cars are plentiful in supply.

 

[IainP]

If I do this upgrade all I need is the new 300mm disc and the bigger carriers right? I wondering if the callipers are the same then what happens to the brake pads? Do I buy the 300mm version of the brake pads because if I buy the old ones won’t I have the same braking because the same amount of surface will touch the brake pad? Will the 300mm version of the brake pads (if they exist - I am very confused ) fit in the old calliper? Any help appreciated

No.
The 1.8/1.9 is a solid front disc, so you have to change to calipers for vented discs, the discs and the carrier.
Same carrier number as in this thread.

Hardware for 300mm discs

I’ve been looking at converting from 286 solid to 300mm vented discs. I have plenty of 54/22 calipers, as my son has 2 e36 Tourings and we will be converting one of those as well. Finding the correct brackets has been a problem, either expensive, really poor condition, or, the wrong ones. Not as...

www.zroadster.org

If you’re needing discs, I have a full set that’ve only done 2000 miles, should have a pair of overhauled calipers somewhere too. You can have them for nothing if they’re of use.

 

[t-tony]

A very generous offer Iain.

Tony

 

[JAMZILLA321]

No.
The 1.8/1.9 is a solid front disc, so you have to change to calipers for vented discs, the discs and the carrier.
Same carrier number as in this thread.

Hardware for 300mm discs

I’ve been looking at converting from 286 solid to 300mm vented discs. I have plenty of 54/22 calipers, as my son has 2 e36 Tourings and we will be converting one of those as well. Finding the correct brackets has been a problem, either expensive, really poor condition, or, the wrong ones. Not as...

www.zroadster.org

If you’re needing discs, I have a full set that’ve only done 2000 miles, should have a pair of overhauled calipers somewhere too. You can have them for nothing if they’re of use.

Thank you so much for the offer but I am still confused - I have to change the calliper to change to 300mm discs? Or just the carriers

 

[JAMZILLA321]

I don’t get what changing the callipers for vented disc means

 

[t-tony]

Standard, ie Solid discs are approx. 12mm thick compared to vented discs (which are in effect 2 thinner discs joined together by a cooling web) which are at least 20 - 22 mm thick so the caliper carriers have to have a much wider gap between the pad mountings. If you're still confused look on eBay for Solid and Vented brake discs.

Tony.

 

[RB2]

I've not long done this swap, maybe some photos will help. The first photo is the wider caliper and carrier for a vented disk sitting on top of the original solid disk and caliper for a side by side. The second image shows the vented webbing in the disk. The red carrier is the same one from the first image just powdercoated.

 

[IainP]

A very generous offer Iain.


Tony

Strangely, no matter what I reduce the price to no one wants them, I don’t want to scrap them, may as well go to a deserving cause. I’m all for supporting young people willing to work on their own cars.

 

[Mike Fishwick]

I had assumed that your car was a 2.8! It would help matters a lot if people would specify the type of car they have, or if it could be detailed in one's profile.

My car is in Hellrot, but the label does not specify the exact type. I was once told that it is Hellrot 2. It is a very bright red, which becomes almost orange in strong sunlight, and seems redder when using Meguiars polish.

 

[JAMZILLA321]

Are there 300mm discs that aren’t vented? I would like to avoid having to change the calliper

 

[t-tony]

If you’re not going to go vented it will be a waste of time and money. Someone is offering what you need for the price of postage?

Tony.

 

[IainP]

Are there 300mm discs that aren’t vented? I would like to avoid having to change the calliper

You don’t really need 300mm discs.
The standard solid discs are fine for road use.
In Good Condition.
Lots of people go on about they really need ‘updraded’ brakes, when really, what they have are in poor condition.
I’m changing from solid 286 to vented 300 because I’ll be using the car on track. I trail brake, (brake later deep into the corner), and left foot brake at times. It’s Really hard on brakes, there’s a lot of heat needs dissipated really quickly.
If I were keeping it as a road car I wouldn’t bother, they’re fine.

 

[Delk]

I dont know the 1.9s but isn't it a very simple upgrade to go to the vented discs and calipers off a 2.8? These are pretty plentiful.

 

[Mike Fishwick]

You could upgrade the pads to EBC Redstuff, and see what you think. A brake fuid change would probably not go amiss either.

 

[JAMZILLA321]

If you’re not going to go vented it will be a waste of time and money. Someone is offering what you need for the price of postage?

Tony.

I thought that it was a relatively cheap modification that would improve my brake performance - the 300mm discs are also cheaper