Astra gte 256mm brake discs upgrade

[gitters27]

Iv got myself some calipers and discs from a gte,I keep reading about bad pedal and changing to bigger servo and master cylinder.i want to start sourcing one what age of Astra gte do I need one off or do one from another Vauxhall fit?

[mk1nova_rich]

Personally I think the whole bad pedal issue is made out to be a lot worse than it actually is. Unless you are doing a lot of heavy braking (motorsport/regular trackdays) then you'll probably find the standard MC is fine

[mowgli]

As I always say when I see a 256 brake thread.... make sure your rear brakes are in good condition and adjusted. Then change the fluid

[gitters27]

This is it tho I do plan on doing track days so would like to fit bigger servo and so on but not sure which I need,mowgli I will be fitting new rear shoes and drums but does this mean I will have problems over time once they wear?

[therealnovaboy]

with out a doubt a bigger MC will improve the pedal. its not the braking force that's the problem its the travel before the brake pad touches the disc that is the issue. the puny nova MC just doesn't have enough displacement to fill the bigger calliper until the excessive travel is reached. the mk 2 Astra gte16v non ABS MC is pretty hard to find and new ones are expensive. if you get a 22mm one you can use the internals on a bored out nova master cylinder. boring it out would be cheaper than buying a new one.

the question is can you put up with the reasonably poor pedal more than you can be bothered changing the MC and in most cases the answer is yes. hence a debate and difference in opinions. for me I only notice it in the wet when being reserved on the brakes or when I lightly dab the pedal to settle the car or help it turn in. some soft race tyres add to the issue as it helps to be more progressive when braking. once you get used to it you usually forget about it. I've never had any concern over the braking force.

[therealnovaboy]

I will be fitting new rear shoes and drums but does this mean I will have problems over time once they wear?

yes. manual adjustment of the auto adjuster is part of nova ownership

[gitters27]

i know what you mean manual adjustment is part of nova ownership this is my fourth SR.I presume the braking power from 256 set up is way better than 236 vented???all my novas have been solid and as you know are rubbish so not much knowlage on 256 or 236.plus i cant decide to buy braided hoses or new standard???

[therealnovaboy]

plus i cant decide to buy braided hoses or new standard???

its not really a hard decision let me simplify it £48 standard vs £60 braided

[gitters27]

I'm in the vehicle trade and pally with the local factors so pay half that for standard but will probably go braided any way

[ShawnAzzopardi]

I'm actually thinking about doing this to my Nova, but not gonna do motorsports or anything. I just want to upgrade the front brakes.

Would I absolutely have to get MK2 Astra discs, or could I get MK4 ones? (as they're way easier to source over here) and if yes, could I fit a mk4 servo? Or since they're all ABS, it'll be a problem?

[Benn]

With 256 set up. Even the std nova servo and m/c will be fine and give a great pedal.

Best set up i've had was 256mm and rebuild drums.

[ShawnAzzopardi]

With 256 set up. Even the std nova servo and m/c will be fine and give a great pedal.

Best set up i've had was 256mm and rebuild drums.
I'll probably fit in a new servo if it comes to it, as my current one leaks air anyway. I'd have to take it all apart just to change the seals, so may as well put a new one in

[Novasport]

Get Corsa B 1.6 Sport/GSi brakes. 256x20mm using the smaller 236mm piston caliper body.

[ShawnAzzopardi]

Get Corsa B 1.6 Sport/GSi brakes. 256x20mm using the smaller 236mm piston caliper body.
I'd still have to get the calipers anyhow, as mine are solid discs not vented

[EwanG]

FFS brakes are for wimps! That's what gears are for lol

[ShawnAzzopardi]

FFS brakes are for wimps! That's what gears are for lol
But I have a fascination with brakes :(

[jimbob-mcgrew]

a lot of people talk about the 'spongy' pedal from doing this mod without changing the servo/master cylinder, but personally i prefer it like that myself, it makes the brakes less snappy, less sensitive, and i find that you have a more precise control of the force, especially when braking lightly.

plus in emergency situations, when you panic and hit the brakes, the wheels are less likely to lock up.

fit some racing pads if you want to take them to the next level.

mowgli's advice on servicing the rear brakes at the same time is good too, to make sure you have as good balance front and rear as you can, otherwise it could make the car unstable at higher speeds, if all the force is on the front wheels alone.

[meritlover]

I'd still have to get the calipers anyhow, as mine are solid discs not vented
Remember that TD discs are thicker than other non vented discs.

[Novasport]

Some of the poor pedal feel on a Nova is down to the pedal linkage required to operate the left hand mounted servo on a RHD car. The linkage can be adjusted but you have to be careful not to over adjust it.

[ShawnAzzopardi]

Remember that TD discs are thicker than other non vented discs.
Mine are still the regular 1.2 discs, not the TD discs unfortunately.

[ShawnAzzopardi]

a lot of people talk about the 'spongy' pedal from doing this mod without changing the servo/master cylinder, but personally i prefer it like that myself, it makes the brakes less snappy, less sensitive, and i find that you have a more precise control of the force, especially when braking lightly.

plus in emergency situations, when you panic and hit the brakes, the wheels are less likely to lock up.

fit some racing pads if you want to take them to the next level.

mowgli's advice on servicing the rear brakes at the same time is good too, to make sure you have as good balance front and rear as you can, otherwise it could make the car unstable at higher speeds, if all the force is on the front wheels alone.
Adding on to this, particularly about the rear brakes, would it be difficult swapping from drums to discs?

[mowgli]

Adding on to this, particularly about the rear brakes, would it be difficult swapping from drums to discs?
You'll need to sort out some form of bias control, unless you can find the right pressure valves to balance it out.

[Benn]

Some of the poor pedal feel on a Nova is down to the pedal linkage required to operate the left hand mounted servo on a RHD car. The linkage can be adjusted but you have to be careful not to over adjust it.

Very very true.

[BRoadGhost]

I've had a fair few brake setups on my novas & tbh what felt the strongest through the pedal was a MK2 nova servo, 256MM Astra disks, calipers & greenstuff pads.

Ofc feel & performance are different matters.

[BRoadGhost]

Jimbob; if that's what you like then no servo would probably suit you best.