Brake Caliper Compatibility (Porsche Calipers)

[BaByBoiGsxR]

I know some calipers are interchangeable.
However, I'm not sure as far as what year/model Porsche the B7 A4's are able to use.

Here's what I'm looking at. Found a pretty inexpensive deal on these...

OE (Left)
Porsche 991 Front Brake Caliper Porsche Part No 997 351 421
Porsche 991 Front Brake Caliper Sensor Wire harness

OE (Right)
Porsche 991 Front Brake Caliper Porsche Part No 997 351 422
Porsche 991 Front Brake Caliper Sensor Wire harness


Would these be a direct fit?
Minor modifications?
Major modifications?
Would not fit?



UPDATE - Thoughts on post #51?

[james12lucy]

Fronts and rears will need major modification. Firstly, they would mount to the uprights without designing and building custom mounts. Then you'd have to figure out which rotors you can bastardize and modify to fit the bolt pattern, offsite, and centre bore. Then you need to sort out lines.

Ultimately, you can make almost anything fit, but it depends on what you're looking to spend and get out of them.

Cheers!

[AJacksA4]

Why not go with the tried and true Cayenne calipers?

[james12lucy]

Why not go with the tried and true Cayenne calipers?

Agreed. And I have a set, or two...

[vce1232000]

Or go with true ons. A RS4 front BBK 8 pot calipers. No modifications what so ever. Even use the same brake hoses if you want.

[james12lucy]

Or go with true ons. A RS4 front BBK 8 pot calipers. No modifications what so ever. Even use the same brake hoses if you want.

Agreed; ultimately the best option. Also, the most pricey option as well.

[BaByBoiGsxR]

LoL.
Thank you for your input and details guys. Much appreciated.

See... if it were "MY" car, then yes, I'd slap on some pricey calipers. However, it's the wife's car and I get to mod it and drive it a couple times here and there.

I don't want to spend too much on her car cause I still need money to continue modding mine. LoL.

Just curious, but what are used Cayenne calipers running for a front pair?

[vce1232000]

Agreed; ultimately the best option. Also, the most pricey option as well.

As you know the good aint cheap....lol

[james12lucy]

As you know the good aint cheap....lol

Yessir. That's why I think the 17z/18z swaps are the best bang for the buck on a B6/B7 A4.

[vce1232000]

Yessir. That's why I think the 17z/18z swaps are the best bang for the buck on a B6/B7 A4.

I with you on that one. As stated above tried and true. I got my RS4 for a real good deal. Thats how I ended up with them. If I didnt I would go with the 17z also

[LINDW4LL]

LoL.
Thank you for your input and details guys. Much appreciated. See... if it were "MY" car, then yes, I'd slap on some pricey calipers. However, it's the wife's car and I get to mod it and drive it a couple times here and there. I don't want to spend too much on her car cause I still need money to continue modding mine. LoL.

Just curious, but what are used Cayenne calipers running for a front pair?

Around $450 for 17Z (330mm), and $550ish for 18Z (350mm)

For what it's worth, there is a bracket available from Apikol to mount the 996/Boxster S calipers but it doesn't really make any sense to do, for a few reasons. One, it's made to work with OE 321mm rotors, so you don't get better fade resistance over stock. Two, the calipers are tiny compared to the 17Z/18Z. And three, you don't really save any money over the Cayenne calipers once you factor in the cost of the brackets.

[vce1232000]

I dont know how true this is but. Ive in a few places that the 17z\18z can grab rather hard and trip the ABS computer putting into fail safe mode

[bigblue]

I had 17z an never had any abs problems. you can get 17z from advance auto as remans for like 210 each including core

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[BaByBoiGsxR]

Around $450 for 17Z (330mm), and $550ish for 18Z (350mm)

For what it's worth, there is a bracket available from Apikol to mount the 996/Boxster S calipers but it doesn't really make any sense to do, for a few reasons. One, it's made to work with OE 321mm rotors, so you don't get better fade resistance over stock. Two, the calipers are tiny compared to the 17Z/18Z. And three, you don't really save any money over the Cayenne calipers once you factor in the cost of the brackets.

Between the two options... I'd go with the 330mm. The car is used mainly for daily commute. No track or racing.
However, based on your explanation on the brackets, I might as well do the Cayenne swap... right?

If that's the case, I'll keep an eye out for them. Just a few weeks ago (before I knew about the calipers), I saw a Cayenne being parted out at a dismantling yard.

[vce1232000]

Between the two options... I'd go with the 330mm. The car is used mainly for daily commute. No track or racing.
However, based on your explanation on the brackets, I might as well do the Cayenne swap... right?

If that's the case, I'll keep an eye out for them. Just a few weeks ago (before I knew about the calipers), I saw a Cayenne being parted out at a dismantling yard.

A FYI on the Cayenne caliper mod. You need to modify different rotors then stock.

Another option to explore http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ild-BBK-thread

[bigblue]

you gotta order the jhm bolt kit for them as well

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[Charles.waite]

Wait so you want "cheap" porsche brakes for your wifes car? does she drive agressively or is it just for looks?

My point being the stock brakes are actually pretty damn good. Just get some S4 carriers, 345mm s4 rotors, Tyrolsport stiffening kit, stainless lines, and some good pads and call it a day. Brembos aren't going to make a huge difference except at a show or on the track. And if you want some flash, paint the calipers.

[MISKIE]

My point being the stock brakes are actually pretty damn good. Just get some S4 carriers, 345mm s4 rotors, Tyrolsport stiffening kit, stainless lines, and some good pads and call it a day. Brembos aren't going to make a huge difference except at a show or on the track. And if you want some flash, paint the calipers.

I may have to do some research as to how much this "kit" will cost. Still have all original OEM on mine @ 70K. Thanks for the info


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[Charles.waite]

I may have to do some research as to how much this "kit" will cost. Still have all original OEM on mine @ 70K. Thanks for the info


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No worries. brembos are "better" there's no disputing that but the only real reason to get them on a daily driver is for the look. And frankly they do look pretty beastly so I definitely get it. But from a performance standpoint you're better off doing what I listed above and spending the extra on better tires. Getting decent Max Perf Summers was the best performance upgrade I've done on my b7 aside from the 034 rear sway. I have Sumitomo HTR-ZIII. They're still a budget tire but they have loads of grip and handle excellently in the wet and cold. Can't ask for more in a $100/ea tire. I've yet to really find their limits on the street.

[LINDW4LL]

Honestly, a good set of aftermarket pads with the stock rotors is more than sufficient for the large majority of people here. Lines if you want a bit better pedal feel during hard driving, and new fluid is always good if yours has not been changed in the last 2-3 years.

[klrider44]

I am most likely gonna go with q5 calipers. There are 4 pot brembos and use a 345mm rotor. I was gonna go with the 17z but they only use a 330mm.

[vce1232000]

And if you want some flash, paint the calipers.

LOL... to show off that SBK rite

[Axis]

Why not 2013+ Q5 calipers?



2.0T Q5's use 320mm
3.0T/3.0Tdi's usd the 345mm

[klrider44]

I am most likely gonna go with q5 calipers. There are 4 pot brembos and use a 345mm rotor. I was gonna go with the 17z but they only use a 330mm.

I meant 345mm. Axis has it right. I would think the q5 option would be better than the 17z and should allow you to use a 17 inch wheel. The 18z calls for an 18 inch wheel.

[Charles.waite]

LOL... to show off that SBK rite

If you got it, flaunt it, bruh!

[vvenom800tt]

17Z all day

[vce1232000]

If you got it, flaunt it, bruh!

SBK= Small brake kit

[klrider44]

17Z all day

How much improvement over stock are the 17z's? The only reason why I would want to go with the Q5 brakes are because they are 345mm instead of the 330mm rotor on the 17z. Do you think it would be worth it to go Q5? There is a pretty good deal on a pair of 17z's I would like to hop on if it wouldn't be worth holding out for the Q5's. Just trying to get some opinions?

[vvenom800tt]

Its a big improvement, i had Stoptech street pads before which are fine, but im running yellow stuff pads with these and they stop very well. Its an improvement for sure. You can definitely feel it.

17Z will be at least $400 less

Who cares about the 15mm rotor difference when you have calipers that are this huge, plus, 330mm rotors are lighter than 345mm rotors, which is a good things since its unsprung weight.

[klrider44]

Its a big improvement, i had Stoptech street pads before which are fine, but im running yellow stuff pads with these and they stop very well. Its an improvement for sure. You can definitely feel it.

17Z will be at least $400 less

Who cares about the 15mm rotor difference when you have calipers that are this huge, plus, 330mm rotors are lighter than 345mm rotors, which is a good things since its unsprung weight.

What rotors are you using? Also do you think it is worth it to use a two piece rotor. Jhm sells a two piece rotor for the 17z kit, but they are $715 for a pair of front rotors!!!!!!

[Charles.waite]

Improvement in what? Over OEM...

[MISKIE]

No worries. brembos are "better" there's no disputing that but the only real reason to get them on a daily driver is for the look. And frankly they do look pretty beastly so I definitely get it. But from a performance standpoint you're better off doing what I listed above and spending the extra on better tires. Getting decent Max Perf Summers was the best performance upgrade I've done on my b7 aside from the 034 rear sway. I have Sumitomo HTR-ZIII. They're still a budget tire but they have loads of grip and handle excellently in the wet and cold. Can't ask for more in a $100/ea tire. I've yet to really find their limits on the street.

Damn you all AZ Audi experts!!! So many mods I want to do but not much "moolah" coming in

Learning a lot though so when I do get the "moolah" I'm ready


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[vvenom800tt]

I think they are ML320 Rotors, just had to open the center bore 1mm.

2 peice rotors are a waste if youre not tracking your car, i paid $100 each for my stoptech slotted from rockauto.com

[BaByBoiGsxR]

Yes and.... yes. LoL.
The wife drives aggressive at times but I definitely do when I drive it. I love the car. It's night and day difference between my car.

Are S4 carriers a type of bracket?
What size are OEM A4 rotors?

I think because I'm so used to always having large brakes since '07 with my cars, I'm not used to "smaller" brakes and always seem to have the urge to upgrade.
I'm definitely going to consider going the S4 route if it saves me money and performance is improved.

Just for kicks, here are my two other setups...

Upgraded to C55 AMG brakes. Powder coated gunmetal.



Probably a poor choice in color. Couldn't really see it from far away.



Lesson learned from the "hard to see calipers" on my white car, so I went a little "louder"...



I like upgrading brakes so much, that I even had my bro's calipers painted for his birthday last year...




Sorry, don't mean to post too many pics. I just like this stuff.

[Axis]

^^I like that amg

Stock rotors are 320mm, you can use an S4 caliper carrier to move the caliper further and then run S4 rotors (345mm).

You will still have the same single piston caliper but will get rid of the heat a bit better.

[BaByBoiGsxR]

^
Cool. Good to know.
Definitely considering it.

[aluthman]

Yes and.... yes. LoL.
The wife drives aggressive at times but I definitely do when I drive it. I love the car. It's night and day difference between my car.

Are S4 carriers a type of bracket?
What size are OEM A4 rotors?

I think because I'm so used to always having large brakes since '07 with my cars, I'm not used to "smaller" brakes and always seem to have the urge to upgrade.
I'm definitely going to consider going the S4 route if it saves me money and performance is improved.

Just for kicks, here are my two other setups...

Upgraded to C55 AMG brakes. Powder coated gunmetal.



Probably a poor choice in color. Couldn't really see it from far away.



Lesson learned from my white car, so I went a little louder...



I like upgrading brakes so much, that I even had my bro's calipers painted for his birthday last year...




Sorry, don't mean to post too many pics. I just like this stuff.

Makes me miss my SL55. That thing had monster 8-pot calipers up front (4 pads per caliper) and something ridiculous like a 14" rotor. (Edit: It had 14.2"/360mm front rotors)

[BaByBoiGsxR]

^
SL55? Very nice. Were you in any of the Benz forums?

[aluthman]

MBworld with the same username.

[Charles.waite]

Makes me miss my SL55. That thing had monster 8-pot calipers up front (4 pads per caliper) and something ridiculous like a 14" rotor. (Edit: It had 14.2"/360mm front rotors)

You need beefy brakes to stop a car that weighs over 2 tons...