Brakes are the weakest link on the S4 - StopTech 380mm install on B8

**GeoJoe** · 01-24-2014 10:13 AM

Getting my StopTech 380 BBK installed today! Thanks to Achtuning for the best deal on the web...buy the front BBK and get rear rotors and pads for free - and free shipping! Still, this is one expensive upgrade - so you'll most likely be tracking your car to want to do this.

Here's the stock OEM rotors after 25k miles and 6 track days. I was running Yellowstuff pads and ECS's stainless brake lines for 4 of those track days. My Audi tech tells me that all four stock rotors were all very thin, "bluing" and practically shot. You can see some major grooves from the pads digging in hard.

Here's some initial fitment shots of the BBK over the Ti wheels and a quick check to make sure that they cleared my TSW Nurburgrings too. These are both 19" wheels.

I'm planning to use the Stoptech pads for now and then (easily) swap out for better track pads when I hit the track. Check out the state of the Yellowstuff pads and finally a big thumbs up to Garrett at Jim Ellis in Atlanta for being OCD and getting my car running so strong. Here's their new Audi tech shop. So fresh and so clean!

More pics to follow!

**Akatsuki...** · 01-24-2014 10:17 AM

nice! looking good!

**Black3.2** · 01-24-2014 10:21 AM

They look great but next time don't get it done at the dealership. When we met at caffeine and octane I should have told you about the shop I use. They are a performance shop that does work on all types of German performance cars especially Audi's. Guys are all Audi tech's and are about half the cost of dealership.

**GeoJoe** · 01-24-2014 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Black3.2

They look great but next time don't get it done at the dealership. When we met at caffeine and octane I should have told you about the shop I use. They are a performance shop that does work on all types of German performance cars especially Audi's. Guys are all Audi tech's and are about half the cost of dealership.

I hear ya - but being CPO, I like one tech - and one tech only - to wrench on my car. I'm all about making sure my dealer knows who I am and what my car has in it. That way if problems develop down the road, I have a complete history with the tech and the dealer. So far, so good with this method.

**integroid** · 01-24-2014 10:27 AM

Is Garrett your SA or the actual tech that worked on your car?

Solo Motorsports in Norcross does a great job on Audi's and they only charge you for the actual time they work on your car.

**GeoJoe** · 01-24-2014 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by integroid

Is Garrett your SA or the actual tech that worked on your car?

Solo Motorsports in Norcross does a great job on Audi's and they only charge you for the actual time they work on your car.

Garrett is the tech. He takes a ton of pics along the way and keeps me informed. He's the only guy who's worked on my S4.

I hear Solo Motorsports has some great things going on and I plan to visit them on Feb 1 for their open house at their new shop.

**Mops@Nemesis** · 01-24-2014 10:31 AM

Looks good. They fill out the 19's nicely. You are going to need some wheel woolies to keep those calipers and barrels clean

**westwest888** · 01-24-2014 05:58 PM

Great thread. Really nice setup man. This was the first mod I did after I cooked the brakes so bad at Laguna Seca that I had to end 1 session early on Sunday and limp home at 50 MPH on the 101 with 3 brakes.

I would make a suggestion: run stainless steel lines to the rear brakes also. After I did that and the JHM 2 piece rotors on the rear, the braking went from very good to excellent.

I feel like when the pads have 20% wear left they should just be replaced. That last bit of travel doesn't work as well. It's not dangerous or anything, it's just noticeably less confident than when you have thick new pads. Maybe it's just too many heat cycles in them or something.

Later this year I am likely going to need new replacement rotor rings on front, which will probably cost me about $1600. I'll have gotten two full track seasons out of them, or about 30 days on a road course. They are very blue and the cracks are getting bigger. Hopefully I can make it through summer.

**Bomiz** · 01-24-2014 06:10 PM

My front rotors and pads had to be replaced at 7k miles with 0 track days. Lol.

**steve0827** · 01-24-2014 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Bomiz

My front rotors and pads had to be replaced at 7k miles with 0 track days. Lol.

I thought I was bad at 14k lol

**A4 Centaur** · 01-24-2014 06:53 PM

Great work! You made a great decision!

**GeoJoe** · 01-24-2014 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by westwest888

Great thread
I would make a suggestion: run stainless steel lines to the rear brakes also.

StopTech's BBK promo deal comes w stainless to the rear too. Here's back in the garage, dirty after BS ATL traffic.

This is why I track.

**westwest888** · 01-24-2014 07:31 PM

Take those beautiful rotors and make them look like this.

**Doc Masher** · 01-24-2014 07:49 PM

Nice setup!

You could look at stoptechs sr34 race pads for a track pad. I will provide some information on their performance once I test them on the track. I just finished my 355mm kit install and ordered their 660 fluid and sr34 track pads with the BBK.

**sgroer** · 01-24-2014 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by GeoJoe

Getting my StopTech 380 BBK installed today! Thanks to Achtuning for the best deal on the web...buy the front BBK and get rear rotors and pads for free - and free shipping! Still, this is one expensive upgrade - so you'll most likely be tracking your car to want to do this.

Here's the stock OEM rotors after 25k miles and 6 track days. I was running Yellowstuff pads and ECS's stainless brake lines for 4 of those track days. My Audi tech tells me that all four stock rotors were all very thin, "bluing" and practically shot. You can see some major grooves from the pads digging in hard.

Here's some initial fitment shots of the BBK over the Ti wheels and a quick check to make sure that they cleared my TSW Nurburgrings too. These are both 19" wheels.

I'm planning to use the Stoptech pads for now and then (easily) swap out for better track pads when I hit the track. Check out the state of the Yellowstuff pads and finally a big thumbs up to Garrett at Jim Ellis in Atlanta for being OCD and getting my car running so strong. Here's their new Audi tech shop. So fresh and so clean!

More pics to follow!

Garrett rocks! I was so sad when he left Audi North Atlanta to go to JE. Best tech anywhere!

**800088** · 01-24-2014 10:40 PM

Any reason why you didn't go for the drilled rotors instead? Besides the myth that they crack under extreme heat?

Ive emailed Achtuning to see what they can offer in terms of postage to Australia. Finger crossed it is reasonable. So to clarify, if you order these St60 380mm kit, you will get free rear rotors and pads and SS brake lines front and rear included? Correct?

**PsYkHoTiK** · 01-24-2014 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by 800088

Any reason why you didn't go for the drilled rotors instead? Besides the myth that they crack under extreme heat?

Myth? Cross drilled rotors will crack after repeated thermal cycling (on heavy track usage). Dimpled rotors are less prone. Cross drilled rotors when subjected to the high heat level of any performance application will cool at uneven rates (which causes cracks). Plus, cross drilled rotors will have less thermal mass than a slotted/dimpled/blank rotor.

Rotors after a hard track session starts off with some surface checking:

Eventually the surface checking will start connecting (after multiple track events) and form bigger cracks (after which rotor will need to be replaced eventually).

Cross drilled iron rotors are a no no for heavy track use. Cracks will form around the drilled holes from the thermal cycling (and uneven cooling).

As for the OP, I don't think the zinc coating will last in the high heat application of a track day (paired with high friction track pads).

Brake ducts are highly recommended for serious tracking. The front rotors need airflow. Helps keeps things cooler.

**GeoJoe** · 01-25-2014 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by sgroer

Garrett rocks! I was so sad when he left Audi North Atlanta to go to JE. Best tech anywhere!

Yeah, rare to find a tech like this. I followed him from Audi North Atlanta to JE.

Originally Posted by 800088

Any reason why you didn't go for the drilled rotors instead? Besides the myth that they crack under extreme heat?

Ive emailed Achtuning to see what they can offer in terms of postage to Australia. Finger crossed it is reasonable. So to clarify, if you order these St60 380mm kit, you will get free rear rotors and pads and SS brake lines front and rear included? Correct?

Here's the link to their deal again.
http://achtuning.com/featured-produc...optech-brakes/
The rear rotors slotted too, just OEM sized.

I went with the slotted rotors over drilled for both looks, performance and personal preference.

As for the zinc coating, not sure how long that will last. Thought it might add a little more protection, although we don't really have major salt on the roads down south, I figured it was minimal to add it on for an attempt at longevity.

**GeoJoe** · 01-25-2014 05:10 AM

**A4 Centaur** · 01-25-2014 07:45 AM

It was a relief to see how the 380mm cleared both the peelers and the Titanium package rims. I was sweating those but not the RS4 Reps from VMR. I have been toying with the idea of going with another color. Massey has already done the Lambo Green. I might attempt the Lambo Orange.

The Chariot is Looking good!

**auditd0rk** · 01-25-2014 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by A4 Centaur

It was a relief to see how the 380mm cleared both the peelers and the Titanium package rims. I was sweating those but not the RS4 Reps from VMR. I have been toying with the idea of going with another color. Massey has already done the Lambo Green. I might attempt the Lambo Orange.

The Chariot is Looking good!

I think that would look great on a black Avant.