Brake Upgrade Question - Rear Calipers, Master Cylinder, Proportioning Valve...

[ilko]

Hi,

My A4 is seriously lacking in the brake department. It's a 1.8T Avant, and I most often drive it with two other passengers and luggage. When it's all said and done it weighs close to 4,000 lbs and my braking distance suffers as a consequence. I'm used to my other car that has truly AWSOME brakes and the Audi just ain't cutting it.

I've done many Porsche brake upgrades, but on the Audi I'm sorta green.

I know you can fit B5 S4 calipers on the front of a B6 A4, how about the rear? I'm looking at a pair of C5 A6 calipers to upgrade the rear, but I have a few questions:

1) Are those calipers bolt-on?
2) Does the brake master cylinder need to be changed as well to a larger one, in order to handle the extra brake pressure?
3) Should I remove the brake proportioning valve (assuming there is one), to get more breaking in the rear?

Thanks!

Ilko

[A4ringedONE8T]

A rear caliper upgrade is not recommend by any of the big BBK producers including Alcon, Brembo, & Stoptech unless you are running at minimum a 355mm 4 piston setup up front.

If you want your A4 to be able to throw you through the windshield, get a front BBK from one of the three I mentioned above, and add the following to the rear: slotted and/or x-drilled OEM replacements, SS lines, better pads, and fluid and you're good to go.

[ilko]

Cool thanks! I love it when I get a response that tells me not to spend more money :)

I'll go with the B5 S4 first and see how things go...

[EUROaleksey]

where are u gonna get the parts for the B5 S4 brakes..? cause i need this upgrade as well, and ive heard it's a big difference... let me know if u get a chance :)

[lookaught]

In my opinion a B5 upgrade is nice, but it still does not give you good pedal feel. Stoptechs really made a big difference in the feel of the brakes (not to mention fade resistance). The HP2s still give you a mushy travel.

I would skip and go right to the BBK. I actually have a set of HP2s in my garage and Im not even willing to install them on my car becasue its not worth the time/effort and expense for rotors for the benefit you get.

If you ever have the chance to drive a porsche, you will know what GOOD pedal feel is really like. No BBK on an audi can duplicate this, but it does make it better.

EDIT: i noticed that you have an RS america. You'll NEVER get close to that, but a BBK will help. Skip the HP2 boat anchors and get a BBK, you wont regret it. If you live in a salty environment i highly recommend that you do not get stoptechs, just get the APR stage two kit with solid discs, it will make a huge difference and you wont be stuck with stoptech replacement costs when the rotors and hats fall apart from corrosion. I went through three sets of rotors/hats on my kit in 40,000 miles... at close to $1,000 per replcement!

[ilko]

Right, well my 2700lb Porsche has 993TT Big Yellow Brembos and my head spins when I hit the brakes. It's instant stopping.

What I'm trying to accomplish with the Audi is decreased breaking distance. It will never be as good as my track-prepped Porsche, but I don't need it to. I just want to make sure the Audi has what it takes to stop better than it does now.

[lookaught]

Right, well my 2700lb Porsche has 993TT Big Yellow Brembos and my head spins when I hit the brakes. It's instant stopping.

What I'm trying to accomplish with the Audi is decreased breaking distance. It will never be as good as my track-prepped Porsche, but I don't need it to. I just want to make sure the Audi has what it takes to stop better than it does now.

Frankly, no matter what kit you get, you wont see a drastic improvement in braking distance... the car is too heavy. A BBK may help a little, and give much better initial bite, but its not going to shave 30 feet of the 60-0 distance.

They do inspire a lot more confidence though. Brakes and good suspension... well you know what Im talking about, you clearly have driven well sorted cars.