Ems Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 What's the best caliper & disc combination for the rear disc conversion these days? I'm looking for something more modern than the Sierra calipers I've got on my current Manta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davo Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 Here's a link to a conversion kit for vw rear discs currently on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Disc-Adapter-Opel-Manta-Ascona-Kadett-C-Rear-Axle-Brake-Alteration-/221264552513?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3384652241 I have got a astra conversion kit on a built up axle in my garage,but can't remember where I got it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 Yes that's the kit I used on my Manta, details on my build thread. Kit is good but don't expect lots of information / instructions. I had to work it out for myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylorblue5 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I used vectra diesel 270mm discs with zafira sri calipers. I had to weld on 30mm extra onto the ford weld on caliper brackets. Brakes are great though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ems Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 I'd prefer to use off the shelf discs that don't have to be re-drilled, saves money and hassle in the future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylorblue5 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Vectra diesel discs fit perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upk Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I also used vectors diesel discs on my A series. They are 4 stud and same pcd so fit straight on. I used mk4 Astra calipers so prop same as zafira. Thing is though I used ford weld on caliper brackets and they were spot on, no extra metal required. !! Top tip is to fit new pads into caliper, bolt to the bracket , position over the disc that's mounted to the axle. Then when it's where you want it operate the caliper with an airline to centralise it all and then weld the bracket to the axle tube while the air is on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 ^^ just out of interest and without seeing any pics, where was the weld in relation to the axle bearing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ems Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 I'm not sure about welding on the brackets, the ones on my current Manta are bolt on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Whats so great about using the vauxhall calipers? they look almost the same setup as the sierra 4x4 ones? just curious.. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Mainly because the Astra / Zafira ones are newer and a lot easier to find. Also sierra ones had a habit of the handbrake mechanism seizing and the Astra's seem better at not doing so. I prefer a bolt on bracket Unless you are going to strip the axle and take the halfshafts out welding brackets on will fry the bearing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Makes sense. Never had a problem with the old sierra ones sticking. Im with you on the bolt on bracket, never did like the idea of welding them on. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upk Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Bolt or weld on performance is the same, just up to preference what you do. It only takes a few moments to pull out the half shafts but you do need to be confident with your welding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 It's an interesting subject, would be good to see a few write ups on the various options as there seems to be a few very good ones! only saying as I found it really hard to get good information on this myself when I was looking into it. The idea of the compressed air in the calliper is a smart one, I like that. The best thing I saw on here and kind of copied was a billet hub centric locator fixed to the end of the half shaft to match the centre bore of the Audi rotors and then onto the Ronal rim. I still need to wok out how to do the hand brake cabling, again no instructions came with the kit and not that easy to find any example of how it's done well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upk Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 (edited) Derek, that was the easy part:- Take one manta handbrake cabl andd one that suits the vehicle that uses the calipers of your choice. Decide how you want it made up and visit these guys or similar on your locality and hey presto! They make up one new cable using the parts supplied by you with new wire and outers as required. Simples!! http://www.rdb93.co.uk/ Edited August 12, 2013 by upk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 So whats the go with this kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I saw that kit, but could not find anyone who had fitted it, thought t was expensive and quickly moved along. I think the options described above might all work out cheaper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylorblue5 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 You dont even need to use compressed air, I just pulled the handbrake mechanism n cable tied it closed, that holds the pistons out against the disc. I couldnt find and bolt on brackets anywhere at the time so had to weld them up. The halfshafts need to be pulled anyway to remove the drum just remember to use the backplate as the spacer for the flange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ems Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 (edited) I've had to sort the handbrake mechanism every year for the MOT, which is why I'm looking for something different for my new project. Does anyone make brackets for the Astra caliper? Could do with knowing which calipers and discs I need for the conversion. Thanks Edited August 12, 2013 by Ems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 You don't HAVE to pull the halfshafts to fit a bolt-on conversion. Did one a while back that had a shaft that just didn't want to pull, rather than get the heat on it to free it and then have to replace the bearing on what was over wise a perfectly working axle. I removed the drum/ shoes/ cylinder etc then trimmed the backing plate with a grinder. That gives you the spacer to keep everything happy and makes it a simpler job. As for the mounts have a word with Retro-Power they were doing the Astra caliper mounts at one point. Infact must get some for myself at some point 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 (edited) Yes ^^ that's a good solution. If you don't have to touch or even think about pulling the half shafts out, I wouldn't. I wanted to put fresh bearings in so pulled the half shafts out. Replacing the bearings needs to be done in a bearing press. The bearing kits can be hard to find for a 1.8 or 2.0. And the axle retaining plates are impossible to find new so if they get mangled you have a nightmare on your hands. So some good points not to remove the half shafts if you don't need to. If your not a welder then bolt ups are going to be less hassle I guess. Picking the weld on brackets will open up options for different callipers and rotors so pluses and minuses each way. Lots of reasons why we probably need a series of threads dedicated to single conversion options, seems without this everyone seems to have to reinvent the wheel each time. There are some really nice brake conversions on here, but you only tend to see snippets and the search engine is dire so you can spend heaps of time wading through the threads only to find very little. Some of the best information can be on external sites. But on here I would be looking closely at what Mantasport & Retropower have done, these guys are doing it all the time, they listen to their customers and have their finger on the pulse. Was interesting that a member on here Dave McKay bought a " bolt up " font conversion from Motorsport Tools only to find it simply was not a simple plug and play bolt up solution...know it's off topic but relevant as most solutions don't seem to be simple plug and play. Edited August 12, 2013 by opelmantagsi 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 It would be nice to have some good threads on it but its finding the time to write up and take pics etc.. Find a good local engineering place and get the spacers and backing plates made from a template. Then you know it will fit on and work unless you can get a good recommendation from someone who's fitted one. Made a template for mine and had bits made and all works ok :-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ems Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Thought I'd bring this back to the top as I'm at the stage where I need to sort out the rear brakes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ems Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 I asked Retro Power many months back about brackets but no news yet, are there any other suppliers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 (edited) I used Audi rotors and Audi calipers with VW Golf hand brake cables. http://forums.mantaclub.org/topic/35472-audi-rear-disc-conversion-in-new-zealand/ Edited May 26, 2014 by opelmantagsi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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