Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: 106pete on 15 February 2018, 12:30:36

Title: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 15 February 2018, 12:30:36
Just a quick one, will vectra vxr brakes fit the Omega?

Thanks Pete
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: VXL V6 on 16 February 2018, 07:25:00
I'd be interested in any info on this as well. AFAIK it is possible and will fit under 17" wheels which is what I want to do on the project car.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 16 February 2018, 22:20:46
Well the Saab guys fit them to the 9-3 and 9-5, I’m pretty sure the Saab 314mm brakes fit the Omega fine so I’m assuming the vxr brakes fit aswell!

I did see a pic of the vxr brakes under a 17” rim and it’s bloody tight, don’t think I’d do it myself.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Vega on 17 February 2018, 06:19:02
Yes will fit with the right bracket.
Minimal 18"

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=138202.msg1778896#msg1778896
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 17 February 2018, 08:25:24
That’s for porsche calipers, I’ve had the 18z calipers on but stupidly sold them and the price has gone up to buy more so looking for a cheaper option
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: VXL V6 on 17 February 2018, 18:38:52
That’s for porsche calipers, I’ve had the 18z calipers on but stupidly sold them and the price has gone up to buy more so looking for a cheaper option

Got 18z's on one of mine  :) but looking for an upgrade that'll fit under 17 inch wheels on he project car.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 17 February 2018, 19:11:03
This subject always really puzzles me. Factory omega brakes are really good.

I’m all for making good progress, but if you’re so hard on your brakes that genuine GM setup isn’t enough, it’s probably time to slow down.

Unless of course we are talking track use - in which case disregard my post :y
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 17 February 2018, 21:01:14
That’s for porsche calipers, I’ve had the 18z calipers on but stupidly sold them and the price has gone up to buy more so looking for a cheaper option

Got 18z's on one of mine  :) but looking for an upgrade that'll fit under 17 inch wheels on he project car.
Fit '04 Pontiac GTO/Base Monaro calipers with Monaro front brake hoses :y

Disc's are the same diameter and thickness are identical, as are the caliper mounts... Pad area is about 50% extra with two pistons per caliper.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 18 February 2018, 00:25:50
I just need something that looks massive basically  ;D

I’ve bought some so hopefully have them for next weekend and trial fit
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 February 2018, 00:36:20
I just need something that looks massive basically  ;D

I’ve bought some so hopefully have them for next weekend and trial fit

Good luck with it :y
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 18 February 2018, 08:51:28
That’s for porsche calipers, I’ve had the 18z calipers on but stupidly sold them and the price has gone up to buy more so looking for a cheaper option

Got 18z's on one of mine  :) but looking for an upgrade that'll fit under 17 inch wheels on he project car.
Fit '04 Pontiac GTO/Base Monaro calipers with Monaro front brake hoses :y

Disc's are the same diameter and thickness are identical, as are the caliper mounts... Pad area is about 50% extra with two pistons per caliper.

I know everyone keeps saying fit these brakes but I’ve never seen any forsale?
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: TheBoy on 18 February 2018, 09:26:48
This subject always really puzzles me. Factory omega brakes are really good.

I’m all for making good progress, but if you’re so hard on your brakes that genuine GM setup isn’t enough, it’s probably time to slow down.

Unless of course we are talking track use - in which case disregard my post :y
They are good enough (if you don't let the pads wear beyond half way) to a point, but its a big heavy car with, by todays standards, small disks and pads.

Getting across MK on one of the NSL gridroads is enough to cook them if you get it back up to the speed limit and brake reasonably late and have to stop at each roundabout.

I've always maintained the Omega with well serviced brakes is good for about 10 big stops from 70mph in a short period before they're properly cooked, and about half that from 100mph on the local runway (that I can no longer get on  :'().

Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: TheBoy on 18 February 2018, 09:27:36
Fit '04 Pontiac GTO/Base Monaro calipers with Monaro front brake hoses :y
I thought the general opinion were these did not perform as well as perhaps they look they should?
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Lazydocker on 18 February 2018, 09:45:06
Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.

Apparently you can cook them running up from the M4 to Brackley, especially on the last few roundabouts :-X ::)
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: VXL V6 on 18 February 2018, 15:35:18
Fit '04 Pontiac GTO/Base Monaro calipers with Monaro front brake hoses :y
I thought the general opinion were these did not perform as well as perhaps they look they should?
It's an option if it fits under standard 17" wheels but if you have 18" wheels then there is no excuse not to go for bigger discs and pads with more pad surface area.

Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: zirk on 18 February 2018, 15:55:35
Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.

Apparently you can cook them running up from the M4 to Brackley, especially on the last few roundabouts :-X ::)
Back in the 80's I ploughed a Brand New Cav 130 SRi into a Round About on them roads due to Brake Fade, from MK to Buckingham.  :(

I was actually on the way to SuperChips for a Rolling Road Test, never made the Appointment though.  :-[

Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: TheBoy on 18 February 2018, 17:03:59
Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.

Apparently you can cook them running up from the M4 to Brackley, especially on the last few roundabouts :-X ::)
Only if the brakes aren't in good shape....    ...as I believe Mr Wood found out once.

If you've come off the motorway, your brakes wouldn't have had too much of a hammering for a while, so should be cool. There are 6 roundabouts (of sorts), 3 in quick succession, then about a 3 mile section to allow them to cool, and another 3 at 1 mile intervals.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: TheBoy on 18 February 2018, 17:08:32
Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.

Apparently you can cook them running up from the M4 to Brackley, especially on the last few roundabouts :-X ::)
Back in the 80's I ploughed a Brand New Cav 130 SRi into a Round About on them roads due to Brake Fade, from MK to Buckingham.  :(

I was actually on the way to SuperChips for a Rolling Road Test, never made the Appointment though.  :-[
That is my daily commute, and nowadays you will not really get above 35mph, due to the retards too inept to attempt to approach the speed limit...   ...and they straightened that road out a lot in the 1990s.


Do you remember which roundabout?  I hit one myself about a dozen years ago, when I managed to overtake the bike I was riding ::)
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Vega on 18 February 2018, 17:29:02
This subject always really puzzles me. Factory omega brakes are really good.

No there not.

I just need something that looks massive basically  ;D

I’ve bought some so hopefully have them for next weekend and trial fit

Like what Doctor Gollum said fit the Pontiac 04 (Holden) brakes, direct fit and uses the standard rotor.
Need larger brake line.
15" rim will also fit

(https://s17.postimg.org/mn9xd0h1r/IMG_1329.jpg)
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 18 February 2018, 22:17:31
Fit '04 Pontiac GTO/Base Monaro calipers with Monaro front brake hoses :y
I thought the general opinion were these did not perform as well as perhaps they look they should?
Possibly the case with a blown V8 under the bonnet ::)
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 18 February 2018, 22:24:41
That’s for porsche calipers, I’ve had the 18z calipers on but stupidly sold them and the price has gone up to buy more so looking for a cheaper option

Got 18z's on one of mine  :) but looking for an upgrade that'll fit under 17 inch wheels on he project car.
Fit '04 Pontiac GTO/Base Monaro calipers with Monaro front brake hoses :y

Disc's are the same diameter and thickness are identical, as are the caliper mounts... Pad area is about 50% extra with two pistons per caliper.

I know everyone keeps saying fit these brakes but I’ve never seen any forsale?
Have you tried looking?  ???
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Lazydocker on 19 February 2018, 15:18:07
Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.

Apparently you can cook them running up from the M4 to Brackley, especially on the last few roundabouts :-X ::)
Only if the brakes aren't in good shape....    ...as I believe Mr Wood found out once.

If you've come off the motorway, your brakes wouldn't have had too much of a hammering for a while, so should be cool. There are 6 roundabouts (of sorts), 3 in quick succession, then about a 3 mile section to allow them to cool, and another 3 at 1 mile intervals.

To be fair, mine were changed shortly after ::)
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: zirk on 19 February 2018, 18:36:12
Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.

Apparently you can cook them running up from the M4 to Brackley, especially on the last few roundabouts :-X ::)
Back in the 80's I ploughed a Brand New Cav 130 SRi into a Round About on them roads due to Brake Fade, from MK to Buckingham.  :(

I was actually on the way to SuperChips for a Rolling Road Test, never made the Appointment though.  :-[
That is my daily commute, and nowadays you will not really get above 35mph, due to the retards too inept to attempt to approach the speed limit...   ...and they straightened that road out a lot in the 1990s.


Do you remember which roundabout?  I hit one myself about a dozen years ago, when I managed to overtake the bike I was riding ::)
Dunno, it was a big green one at the end of a short dual carriageway, I remember going through so many of them they all started to merge into one image after a while, but the one I hit certainly stood out  ;D

Still remember it now really, approaching at high speed then thinking 'break' wheres my brakes gone, Handbrake didnt help much at short notice either  :-[

I knew at the time it wasn't going to end well, as I was only just mentally recovering from rolling my Escort Van on a Potters Bar roundabout exit.  ::)  :D
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: TheBoy on 19 February 2018, 19:02:22
Ignoring MK, there aren't too many places in the UK where under normal conditions you can really cook them if they are well maintained, without driving like a real loon, but you can easily get a bit close for comfort on a spirited country lane jaunt.

Apparently you can cook them running up from the M4 to Brackley, especially on the last few roundabouts :-X ::)
Back in the 80's I ploughed a Brand New Cav 130 SRi into a Round About on them roads due to Brake Fade, from MK to Buckingham.  :(

I was actually on the way to SuperChips for a Rolling Road Test, never made the Appointment though.  :-[
That is my daily commute, and nowadays you will not really get above 35mph, due to the retards too inept to attempt to approach the speed limit...   ...and they straightened that road out a lot in the 1990s.


Do you remember which roundabout?  I hit one myself about a dozen years ago, when I managed to overtake the bike I was riding ::)
Dunno, it was a big green one at the end of a short dual carriageway, I remember going through so many of them they all started to merge into one image after a while, but the one I hit certainly stood out  ;D

Still remember it now really, approaching at high speed then thinking 'break' wheres my brakes gone, Handbrake didnt help much at short notice either  :-[

I knew at the time it wasn't going to end well, as I was only just mentally recovering from rolling my Escort Van on a Potters Bar roundabout exit.  ::)  :D
There are no dual carriageways between MK and Buckingham, and beyond Buckingham is only the Tingewick Bypass, but that wasn't built in the 80s.  So I guess you must have still been within the MK limits, so might have been what is now the Bottledump Roundabout...  ...which is almost in the built up area now ;D
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: zirk on 19 February 2018, 19:48:21
There are no dual carriageways between MK and Buckingham, and beyond Buckingham is only the Tingewick Bypass, but that wasn't built in the 80s.  So I guess you must have still been within the MK limits, so might have been what is now the Bottledump Roundabout...  ...which is almost in the built up area now ;D
Hmm, long time ago, the car was only a few weeks old from new, so when did last shape of the Cav's 3 come out, around 88 / 89 of of the top of my head, plus Im seem to remember the guy Peter, who was doing a lot of Rolling Roads tests on my Cav at the time, think it was called Detection Teckniques or something was moving into the new Superchips re Badge era.

Could have been single Track as I got closer to Buckingham, but fairly sure they started as Dual ones before that.  :-\
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 22 February 2018, 16:51:14
To answer my own question NO they don’t fine  :o I’ll do some proper trial fitting this weekend see if a adaptor plate can be used.

Plan b, will Saab 9-5 hubs fit the Omega? Yes they are fwd so a cv joint would have to be bolted in and stopping the bearing from falling apart.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 22 February 2018, 17:57:22
To answer my own question NO they don’t fine  :o I’ll do some proper trial fitting this weekend see if a adaptor plate can be used.

Plan b, will Saab 9-5 hubs fit the Omega? Yes they are fwd so a cv joint would have to be bolted in and stopping the bearing from falling apart.
Answered your own question there ::)
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Nick W on 22 February 2018, 18:53:15
To answer my own question NO they don’t fine  :o I’ll do some proper trial fitting this weekend see if a adaptor plate can be used.

Plan b, will Saab 9-5 hubs fit the Omega? Yes they are fwd so a cv joint would have to be bolted in and stopping the bearing from falling apart.


Could you make that any more complicated?  :o


I wouldn't go to the hassle of adapters to gain such a small increase in disc size. If you're going to do it, fit the biggest discs that you can get a caliper on, under your wheels.


Fitting a bigger caliper to increase the pad size without increasing the disc size is a total waste of effort.
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 22 February 2018, 19:15:40
The disc is pretty large tbh buddy, I had 350mm with the Porsche 18z calipers and you couldn’t go much bigger behind the 18” wheels.

Custom disc can cost a fortune so this is the most sensible way of doin it, plus making adaptors will cost nothing to me in work  ;)
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 24 February 2018, 17:32:52
I don’t think these brakes are goin to be fitted, the offset is pretty much perfect but bolt holes are way out meaning I can’t just make a straight adaptor  :'(

Follow the link for a terrible picture showing the fit
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/106pete/omega/ACAAA398-DB17-43A5-BB8C-ECB9B2C47C9A_zpsfq1ingqd.jpg
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 24 February 2018, 17:49:07
Is that with the disc fitted?
Title: Re: Vectra vxr 345mm front Brake swap?
Post by: 106pete on 24 February 2018, 18:20:35
Yes