Upgrading the brakes on the T3 Syncro
3 de julio de 2017
I want to upgrade the brakes, because if there’s one area where the T3 Syncro doesn’t excel, it’s in its braking performance.
Those that came from the factory with 14-inch wheels (which are the vast majority) are fitted with 258 mm x 16 mm front discs and rear drum brakes.
As I’ve bought 15-inch wheels, I want to upgrade the brakes by fitting larger disc brakes. This is quite necessary in my case, as I’m using 215/80 tyres and, with that profile, braking performance is significantly compromised.
Table of contents
Here’s a rundown of the options I looked into for upgrading the brakes, along with what I’ve improved and what I haven’t:
Upgrading the brake booster
The brake booster is a mechanism that multiplies the force we apply to the brake. Our Syncros are fitted with a 9-inch brake booster. This can be upgraded by replacing it with a 10-inch unit from a BMW E30. With that extra inch, it’s said to reduce the force we apply to the pedal by the equivalent of 20 per cent.
Any BMW E30 brake booster will do, except for the one from the M3, and it isn’t very expensive on the second-hand market.
Fitting it isn’t too complicated. Here’s the process for upgrading the VW T3 brake booster
Upgrade the front disc brakes
As I mentioned earlier, the front discs measure 258 mm x 16 mm. To improve the brakes, it’s obvious that we’ll need to fit larger-diameter discs and a caliper with a more powerful bite.
After doing some research, I’ve found several options:
- 276 x 25 mm discs from an Audi 100
- 276 × 22 mm discs from a first-generation Mercedes Vito + calipers from a Jaguar XJ
- 280 × 22 mm discs with Lucas 54 calipers and caliper brackets
- 288 × 25 mm discs with ATE57 calipers and caliper brackets from an Audi A6 and an Epytec kit
Of all these, the ones I liked best were options 3 and 4. I’ve gone for option 4. But after buying everything, I’ve realised that the 288 mm discs, ATE57 and the Epytec kit (which their website states isn’t suitable for the Syncro) won’t work for me because of one small detail: the ABS. This interferes with a component of the Epytec kit and therefore won’t allow me to upgrade the brakes.
So, what options do I have left for upgrading the front brakes?
I have the following options:
- Keep the original 258×16 brakes / ABS / 15″ wheels – I’d have to buy new calipers and brake discs as the current ones need rebuilding. This would result in poor braking performance.
- 280×25 brakes / Lucas54 / Brake rotors / ABS / 15″ wheels
- 288×25 brakes / ATE57 / Epytec brake callipers / ABS / 15″ wheels – I’d only need to buy the Epytec brake callipers and get creative to make everything fit.
- Brakes 288×25 / ATE57 / Epytec non-Syncro kit / Remove ABS / 15″ wheels – We’d have to remove the ABS and assess the implications of doing so, then buy the Epytec non-Syncro kit.
- 312×25 brakes / ATE57 / Epytec Syncro kit / ABS / 16″ wheels – You’d have to buy new wheels and tyres along with the brake discs.
The option chosen to upgrade the brakes this time will be option 2, hoping that nothing rubs and that everything fits together properly. It’s a good option because I’m keeping my 15-inch wheels and not switching to 16-inch ones, which I don’t want due to fuel consumption concerns and to try to spare the gearbox from too much strain.
Rear disc brakes instead of drums
To top it off and improve the brakes, rear discs can be fitted. I’m not going to do that for the moment, as it would require type approval.
What I am going to do, however, is replace the drums and brake shoes.
