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AP Racing big brake conversion - MK5 GTI!


s1brt
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Thanks Jeremy - Yes, I learnt this recently and also that the McLaren also has FSDs as standard. The Bugatti Veyron uses AP Racing's brakes....I've actually held a caliper in my hand! notworthy.gif - The nearest I'll get to touching one!!

Btw, I'm told that grooved discs are far better/stronger than drilled ones.

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I don't think Brembo own AP Racing. AP were once Lockheed and have a 60 year history. They are considered world leaders in their field by many and, although I am not qualified to make such a claim, I have heard that AP products are generally superior to Brembo.

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Superior in price maybe... grin.gif

According to this they do.

http://www.brembo.com/ENG/AboutBrembo/CompanyOverview/BremboGroup/Europe/GroupEU.htm

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Btw, I'm told that grooved discs are far better/stronger than drilled ones.

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I am no brake expert, nor am I am expert on anything much smile.gif, but I've been told that drilled discs can weaken the structure of the disc. This "can" cause the disc to snap under very extreme braking, however it's only the cheap and nasty conversions that tend to do this. Apparently if the discs were cast with the "drill" holes then they're fine, but if they're actually drilled after casting then that's where the problem lies.

I'm currently running EBC Greenstuff discs and pads and love them. They're very low on brake dust and noise and are much better than OEM brakes (from the PD130 MKIV). These discs have a combination of grooves and blind drill holes (don't go all the way through the disc). Obviously these are a much cheaper option to the brakes offered above and do not match their performance, but as a cheap and simple upgrade from OEM they are worth a look.

Personally I think that you pay for the Brembo name, as cool (and good) as they are, I'd go for tar.ox if I was upgrading.

p.s. to whoever said that you don't need bigger brakes unless you track day or drive like a chav; this is wrong, brakes are a safety tool and if you can stop quicker then your car is safer. I won't be upgrading mine as I'll be staying OEM, but if I had a remap then I'd need to be looking at getting those brakes changed.

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and, although I am not qualified to make such a claim, I have heard that AP products are generally superior to Brembo.

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I would not say that myself, I look after quite a few cars that run AP or brembo calipers, both seem equally good to me. Only advantage AP seem to have is theres are slimmer design and so can fit on bigger discs and more complicated alloys.

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Unless you are taking the GTI on track every weekend or driving like a boy racer all the time I don't see what's wrong with the standard brakes?

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....I agree - I find the standard GTI brakes excellent and have had to 'rely' on them a few times over the course of 8,000 road miles. I found the Mk5 R32 brakes exceptional too. But for a re-mapped GTI or someone like SiBurt who does track days I would recommend a good brake like AP Racing's.

Hi Cupramax and thanks for correcting me about Brembo owning AP Racing. 169144-ok.gif

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  • 1 month later...

I drove AmD's Gti with their Porsche turbo brakes which are the same as i have on my car, but due to the different servo the brakes had immense stopping power in the Gti, far greater than in my R, but less progressive. Putting a huge AP set up in the car may be a bit too much. Grabbing round fast corners can be dangerous...

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Apparently SiBurt had a spin at the Bedford track day recently (I arrived well after it happened and he had gone)....I don't know if it was brakes related or not. But, having spent a whole afternoon going around AP Racing's works with their Senior Race Engineer and seeing their products and high standards over many decades of experience, I would have a lot of faith in their products and their conscious application.

AP usually do very extensive tests before any public release so I would be surprised if the brake kit they specify for the GTI is "too much".

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Maybe the issue is "less progressive" and "immense"

as if you are used to weaker brakes and use "usual" firm pressure to dump speed prior to a corner - or in emergency - then the AP will come in loads more than previously

Could it be this that has unsettled the car?

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Apparently SiBurt had a spin at the Bedford track day recently (I arrived well after it happened and he had gone)....I don't know if it was brakes related or not. But, having spent a whole afternoon going around AP Racing's works with their Senior Race Engineer and seeing their products and high standards over many decades of experience, I would have a lot of faith in their products and their conscious application.

AP usually do very extensive tests before any public release so I would be surprised if the brake kit they specify for the GTI is "too much".

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Hi Robin.

The brakes are fantastic and I would highly recommend them to everyone. 169144-ok.gif

The spin at Bedford occured while I was flat (no lifting/braking-not advisable NONO3.GIF) through a chicane.My own thoughts,which have been confirmed by AMD,relate to the rear FSD's which have increased the rear ride height on the car.Koni have experienced several issues similar to mine and have already put a revised shock into production.I hope to have these fitted and my geometry re-set within the next few weeks. smile.gif

Si.

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[ QUOTE ]

Apparently SiBurt had a spin at the Bedford track day recently (I arrived well after it happened and he had gone)....I don't know if it was brakes related or not. But, having spent a whole afternoon going around AP Racing's works with their Senior Race Engineer and seeing their products and high standards over many decades of experience, I would have a lot of faith in their products and their conscious application.

AP usually do very extensive tests before any public release so I would be surprised if the brake kit they specify for the GTI is "too much".

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I suppose if it is made for the Gti that is different. The porkers went and they were obscene! A bit too much...

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....My own thoughts,which have been confirmed by AMD,relate to the rear FSD's which have increased the rear ride height on the car.Koni have experienced several issues similar to mine and have already put a revised shock into production.I hope to have these fitted and my geometry re-set within the next few weeks. smile.gif

Si.

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Hi Si,

What's this about FSDs increasing the rear ride height? confused.gif. It doesn't look that way on my car. Although it's difficult to tell because the Eibach springs with FSDs only lower the car 5mm and that's slightly difficult to appreciate.

Your post obviously gives me reason to be concerned as I have Koni FSDs fitted. However, I don't go on track days. I am doing a car control course in a couple of weeks so I wonder how my suspension will behave on that.

Please tell me if you know any more detail about Koni FSD problems.

Cheers 169144-ok.gif

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