Bigger Brakes?

[vaughanmc]

Me and Craig (Moffat) were talking a few weeks back

We both have 1.2i Nova's and were wondering if you need to change the brake servo to upgrade to say 2.0 16v brakes?

Vaughan :cool:

[Andy]

No,some say a better pedal feel but some argue it makes nay difference

[vaughanmc]

So we could stick some 2.0 16v calipers, discs and pads on without a Servo change ?

[brainsnova]

i ran 2.0 16v brakes on my 1.3sr and the pedal felt fine keeping the original servo

[Jack]

V6 calipers and 284mm discs here, on the standard (1.0!) servo and no problems. Brakes feel niiice :cool:

I even have some 4 stud 284mm discs for sale ;)

[Nick J]

The master cylinder is the same on all novas however the servo's are different for the sri/gte/gsi models If your considering bigger brakes I would change the servo too, I have heard of people using 16v plus brakes on lower spec servos but I wouldnt chance it myself, for what it costs etc you may as well change it. Just my opinion though. ;)

[vaughanmc]

Hmm, might need to invest in a GSi servo :)

Cheers people

[AlexW]

Ive got a gsi servo and braided hoses with 256mm cav 2.0 brakes, Pedal is great. Although i need to bleed them again.

Ps: I Think this is my 1200post hehe.

[AlanH]

have a set of 256mm cav 2.0 brakes. discs and pads arent the best though, still fitted to nova hubs. 20 quid if you collect

[Welsh Dan]

All this talk of needing to change the servo is crap tbh. All the servo does is assist you in pressing the pedal.

Fitting brakes with bigger pistons will mean that you need to push the pedal down further to get the brakes to "engage", unless you fit a bigger master cylinder. The servo has nothing to do with it.

You'll be fine bolting on 2l16v brakes vaughan, but I'd change the rubber flexi lines and replace all of the brake fluid while you're at it.

[craig green]

/\ Agree. The master cylinder is what does all the work in terms of moving fluid & giving the pedal feel. If clutching at straws, a bigger servo may help in a small way but not really worth the aggro of renewing fluid, removing seized pipe unions & the expense/gamble of a 2nd hand servo & MC.

For 256 16v type brakes the original Nova stuff will operate it fine. As said use new fluid & flexi's. If you can afford them, get some decent (Mintex - Pagid etc) pads.

If using larger calipers eg Vectra V6 etc, IMO a bigger MC bore is required, though there is no definitive, off the shelf option.

An Astra GTE 16v uses a 22mm MC wheras the Novas all have 20mm bore. Proof that there is room for improvement.

[Stuart]

you could somehow adjust the pedal -> MC movent ratio by dicking about with the bar/pedal seembly to reduce travel and increase brake force.

[vaughanmc]

My car has full brand new brake lines front to back and new flexi pipes all round and brand new Fluid in it as well...

[AlexW]

Im not saying that its a must, and i agree and understand that a bigger bore master cylinder will make the only real differance, but as i was overhauling all the brakes i thought it would be do it as even if it only made a slight differance.

[Welsh Dan]

My car has full brand new brake lines front to back and new flexi pipes all round and brand new Fluid in it as well...

Just bolt the 256x24mm units on then :). Its well worth spending on some decent pads aswell though, ie mintex 1144's.

[Steve]

vaughan have a look on ebay, theres a seller under vauxhall warehouse or something similar and they do brand new mintex discs and pads for cav gsi's for £40 I used them on my 1600 with a std 1200 servo and they're miles better than the ebc green stuff pads and discs im now running on the 2.0 :thumb:

Here's the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-CAVALIER-GSI-SRI-BRAKE-DISCS-PADS-FRONT-MINTEX_W0QQitemZ230221319923QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid =p3286.m20.l1116

Much better (and cheaper) than std vauxhall items.

[Adam]

I run 284mm Turbo brakes on a 1.2i MC and Servo, all is fine.

256 will be fine and are a great choice.
Get any new discs, and a set of GM brake pads and it'll stop fine.
Ive found GM brake pads to work ace in all conditions, even on track.

[vaughanmc]

Nice one cheers boys, on the look out for some 16v calipers then

I'll have a look around some scrap cars - How will I test that the caliper is working ?

[Steve]

There was a few sets for sale on here, at least if you buy it from someone you know on here they'll be decent, otherwise check the seals for leaks and make sure that the sliders aren't seized.

[Welsh Dan]

Its also worth giving brake engineering a ring if you struggle to find a good 2nd hand set.

Old site has their catalogue on: http://domain421029.sites.fasthosts.com/

[AlexW]

Nice one cheers boys, on the look out for some 16v calipers then

I'll have a look around some scrap cars - How will I test that the caliper is working ?

Mine are on ebay. Not too hard to find, just search 256mm brakes.

[moffat]

nice one i will be upgrading to 16v brakes. thanks guys