anyone tried vw passat/audi a6 calipers on the rear of their pre 85 cars?

[Mark Wainwright]

I was looking around for alternatives(though my originals are ok for now) , and looks like pnm`s kit is based on vw passat/audi a6 etc calipers (00-05 ish i think), the s3 version they have looks machined, but the s2/s1 version looks like the exact same caliper and the pads match too..  would be good to know if they are one and the same..   i might look into it with my s3 as one of these calipers can be grabbed for less than £30 on the ebay.

ta, Mark

 

[silverfrost]

Not sure but PNM are probably unlikely to say where they source them from if they have gone to the trouble of finding,testing replacements etc   

[top-plumber]

These are what you are discussing, yes they fit. 

Not an upgrade but a better version than the crummy girlings that have a rubbish hand brake. 

The cables need adapting though. 

Much lighter also✌️

[Mark Wainwright]

superb.  do you also need the mounting bracket or just the calipers?

[top-plumber]

Just callipers Mark.. I ordered new slider pins and gaiters from SJ.. like new...✌️

Wayne

[The Real Stig]

What is the specification for these calipers?

Please add them to the Excel spreadsheed for interchangable/alternate source parts list.

 

[top-plumber]

These are for my Turbo Esprit My 84

[eeyoreish]

Maybe I'm missing something here but are we saying that a pair of Passat rear calipers are a direct replacement for the Lotus originals on an 84 TE and fit on the same mounts? If so I'm interested for my TE....🤔

[GTK]

... +1 for eeyoreish's question, sounds like these will bolt straight to anything pre '85. Is that right @top-plumber

[Steve4012]

On 11/09/2018 at 22:41, eeyoreish said:

Maybe I'm missing something here but are we saying that a pair of Passat rear calipers are a direct replacement for the Lotus originals on an 84 TE and fit on the same mounts? If so I'm interested for my TE....🤔

I would be interested for clarification with this too @top-plumber @Mark Wainwright 

Can it be done as a straight swap, what adaption to handbrake cable, which model year Passat... 

Would appreciate the info. and any other relevant points. 

Cheers, Steve. 

 

[semi42]

Wonder if the Passat later version calipers would fit, the ones with the electric handbrake, and would that retrofit be legal?

[Mark Wainwright]

I popped what research i did online in my spreadsheet here.  This was detective work so would be good to get a full verification from @top-plumber  but i`m pretty sure its right.


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1746WogW57q_L65fECYfSIuAJiKpe8Xm74DU4lb5ystA/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=114210073998358829610

 

also dont know what other year giugiaros they fit. 

Edited November 20, 2018 by Mark Wainwright

[GTK]

Mine's all apart at the moment. I might go round to the mechanics next door and see if they have any of those cars in their 'will deal with that later' park. If they do; I'll do some testing and report back.

[910Esprit]

I notice on the pic posted by Wayne that the bleed nipples are at the bottom, which may mean you will need to bleed off the car (unless you can swap to the other side of the car.   George can you confirm distance between mounting centres of the originals and the rough overall dimentions, also including disstance of retracted piston to the opposing claw and finally the piston diameter?   (A number of the Ads on Ebay include such dimentions to allow comparison)

[Mark Wainwright]

for ref heres the pnm engineering page which uses the passat calipers, i cant work out if any machining has been done on either for the s3/turbo or s1-2.2   but they look the same to me, incl location of the bleed nipple.

http://www.pnmengineering.com/lotus-esprit-brakespre85.html

Edited November 21, 2018 by Mark Wainwright

[eeyoreish]

Do PNM offer the modified cables too or just advise on what the required modification is?

[910Esprit]

 They dont appear to supply new cables, which is probably good newas as it suggests the existing ones are not too difficult to adapt.   possibly need to alter the length of free cable, or do something to allow the existing able ferrules fit in the new caliper actuators.    

[Mark Wainwright]

On 19/11/2018 at 10:29, semi42 said:

Wonder if the Passat later version calipers would fit, the ones with the electric handbrake, and would that retrofit be legal?

this is an interesteing question.. someone should have a go!

I dont see why it wouldn`t be legal..   i`d imagine the handbrake just has to work for an mot pass, regardless of how its installed... if they fit it`d actually be a nice upgrade.

Edited November 21, 2018 by Mark Wainwright

[top-plumber]

I haven’t fitted these yet as the engine is still on the bench. Getting close to reinstalling but still a way to go. As soon as the gearbox and drive shafts are in I shall post pictures. Confidence is high.✌️

[top-plumber]

On 15/11/2018 at 22:49, GTK said:

... +1 for eeyoreish's question, sounds like these will bolt straight to anything pre '85. Is that right @top-plumber

So far I have every reason to believe so. When I have installed them I will post all my findings 

[peteyg]

I'm shortly going to be fitting these to @Nelly Neil's S2 so I'll let you know how it goes. If I forget, remind me. I'm told PNM's advice is to shorten the handbrake cables though not sure quite how seeing as the ends are crimped. I'll probably give them a call for the low down.

Wish me luck...

Pete

[eeyoreish]

Ooh, I'm definitely interested in this and I may (eventually) even get to see them on Neil's car! Watching with interest...

[Nelly]

Today I helped @peteyg install the calipers onto my S2.  Bolting into place was easy, they go straight into the existing sliding pins.

Handbrake cables - these go into the top of the caliper rather than the bottom, passenger side was no problem with a bit of manipulation.  I was warned the driver side would need shortening but we were concerned about compromising it so elected to reroute.  I initially we tried behind the battery box but it was too tight so elected to bring the cable in through the bodywork earlier and run to the caliper that way.  There is a fair bit of slack on the cable but looks to be operating ok.

Only concern we have is there is a raised ridge on the caliper and it is rubbing on the mounting bracket so don't know how this will affect its operation.  I will speak to PNM to get their thoughts.  They also suggested new brake pads and for the extra £20 I went with it.

Will update more with pics when we test them.

Oh and they are a LOT lighter!

 

[eeyoreish]

Look forward to seeing it Neil! I may well do the same mod on my Turbo project

[GTK]

So they bolt right up to the S2's caliper cradles then. That does it, I'm getting some.