Comprehensive list of OEM b5 a4 brake upgrades

[redline380]

Out of curiosity, why don't people run B6/B7 S4 front brakes on B5 S4 spindles? Demonmk2 touched on it, although mentioned B8 calipers. Any reason the B6/B7 calipers wont work? Seems like a cheap alternative to get a big (345mm) setup up front.

Because if I am going through that much work, I want something pretty. And 17z/18z isn't that much more.

[Bordom]

Great thread, wish this was put together 5 years ago.

Out of curiosity, why don't people run B6/B7 S4 front brakes on B5 S4 spindles? Demonmk2 touched on it, although mentioned B8 calipers. Any reason the B6/B7 calipers wont work? Seems like a cheap alternative to get a big (345mm) setup up front.

Because its a poor single piston caliper with a larger rotor. Sure it's far superior to the stock brakes, but what's the point?

Redline words it well. If you're going to go that big, may as well get something pretty to look at

Because if I am going through that much work, I want something pretty. And 17z/18z isn't that much more.

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[GrapeBandit]

Rear - inexpensive option

A6 upgrade (255 mm x 10 mm)

A6 2002 3.0L & 2.7TL Q (C5) rotors 4B0 615 601 B
A4 B6 (2002) 3.0L Carriers 8E0 615 425 G

Stock A4 B5 Calipers & Pads & brake lines

Works well with A8 front upgrade

In need for rear brake, already got A8 front, this helps alot, thanks. Would these do ....

Audi / A4 / 2001 / Sedan / Red / Automatic WAUZZZ8E12A10XXXX ALT059265
Audi / A4 / 2003 / Sedan / Black / Automatic WAUZZZ8E53A38XXXX BFB033291
Audi / A6 / 1995 / Wagon / Black / Automatic WAUZZZ4AZSN09XXXX ABC132614

Just a list from my local wrecker.

the 2001 is good for the rear calipers.
the 2003 should have the carriers if its a 3.0.
the 1995 a6 has nothing for this brake upgrade.

You meant Rotors?

nope, i meant calipers. isnt the above what you are trying to accomplish? the c5 a6 255mm conversion? you cant use b5 a4 rotors for the a6 upgrade, you need the a6 255mm rotors

on the 986 bbk (312x25) you can use the usrt mk1 TT brackets/adapters too. I bring it up because they're about 100 bucks cheaper.

also, you can swap b8 s4 brakes/brackets with ( 345mm b7/b6rotor) on a b5 S4

Great thread, wish this was put together 5 years ago.

Out of curiosity, why don't people run B6/B7 S4 front brakes on B5 S4 spindles? Demonmk2 touched on it, although mentioned B8 calipers. Any reason the B6/B7 calipers wont work? Seems like a cheap alternative to get a big (345mm) setup up front.

Because if I am going through that much work, I want something pretty. And 17z/18z isn't that much more.

Because its a poor single piston caliper with a larger rotor. Sure it's far superior to the stock brakes, but what's the point?

Redline words it well. If you're going to go that big, may as well get something pretty to look at



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so should i add it to the list, or not?

lmk

[redline380]

The thing is, it is almost impossible to have an absolutely comprehensive list of brake upgrades. Literally any caliper ever produced *could* be installed on your car with the proper modifications. Nobody does the b6/7 s4 front upgrade because it doesnt have much to offer that similar kits do.

The main thing that opens us up to upgrades is B5 S4 uprights. After that, you can go up to B8's, TTRS, shit even R8 brakes may be an option (Hint hint- VW clearanced 2015 R8 v10 calipers down to $700 per side from $2200 per side. Search "R8" http://www.vwparts.com/parts-outlet-center/index.php If you want them even cheaper, put the PN's into GAP's wesbite and they can be had for $610/piece. Not sure what you would do for rotors since those calipers use cermaic rotors though!)

[GrapeBandit]

The thing is, it is almost impossible to have an absolutely comprehensive list of brake upgrades. Literally any caliper ever produced *could* be installed on your car with the proper modifications.

lol. obviously with enough time and the proper funding, you can make anything fit.

maybe i worded it wrong, but by no means is it an "absolute" list. its more like a list of OEM parts that are readily available and commonly used to piece together your own BBK without feeling it in your pocket too much

[redline380]

its more like a list of OEM parts that are readily available and commonly used to piece together your own BBK without feeling it in your pocket too much

I know what you meant

Here's how I see it.

Minimal effort- Decent set of pads and rotors.

DD with better power- A8 upgrade

DD with slightly better- A8 with B5 S4 rears

That basically keeps cost well below $1000 for all brand new stuff, but a savvy shopper would have around $500 invested in the entire setup.

If you want something over that, the door is wide open. But as we have discusses, you will be going B5 S4 uprights to fit whatever it is you want. IMO, you might as well skip all the lower stuff and just go 17z/18z depending on what you run for wheels. Upgrades like 986 could be considered, but I don't see much reason considered how cheap the 17z options are. However, 986 upgrade is a little more "bolt on ready" considering brackets are available and you dont have to do grinding/modifying rotors.

If you want something more than 17z, than screw you go look it up yourself. There is no reason to have that kind of braking on a street car. If it is a race car, talk to your race team.

[Blur2u]

GrapeBandit just wanted to add that when i did my 17Z rotors using Mercedes Benz C230 330mm x 28mm rotors. I had to buy a 2mm shim that apikol sells (i guess you can use washers also) that will give the Mercedes rotors the correct offset, that way the rotors are centered in the 17z calipers. Also you will M12X1.5X25mm grade 10.9 brake caliper mounting bolt.

[melomandn]

Because if I am going through that much work, I want something pretty. And 17z/18z isn't that much more.

This is the answer I expected, as I completely agree. Was purely curious.

[demonmk2]

As far as the b8 s4 calipers it's o good option if you want to run different wheels. I've noticed with 17z/18z it limits the wheel choices using those calipers. That's what my buddy ran into. So he went with the b8 s4 upgrade to run a 35et 18x9 mesh wheel

[redline380]

As far as the b8 s4 calipers it's o good option if you want to run different wheels. I've noticed with 17z/18z it limits the wheel choices using those calipers. That's what my buddy ran into. So he went with the b8 s4 upgrade to run a 35et 18x9 mesh wheel

True.

I would like to mention that 17z's clear 17" Celebration wheels though. It is very tight, but they clear.

[ElSabio182]

True.

I would like to mention that 17z's clear 17" Celebration wheels though. It is very tight, but they clear.

Might be a worthy endeavor for people to shout-out which setups will clear some popular wheel sizes (since that's gotta be the next-most-common question on this topic).

For self-serving purposes, I'm trying to find out if a 17z 330mm front / B5 S4 256mm rear setup will clear 17-inch B6 sport wheels…(which I believe are 17x7.5", ET45)



Great thread. Subscribed. Thanks!

[GrapeBandit]

GrapeBandit just wanted to add that when i did my 17Z rotors using Mercedes Benz C230 330mm x 28mm rotors. I had to buy a 2mm shim that apikol sells (i guess you can use washers also) that will give the Mercedes rotors the correct offset, that way the rotors are centered in the 17z calipers. Also you will M12X1.5X25mm grade 10.9 brake caliper mounting bolt.

thanks. I will note it

Might be a worthy endeavor for people to shout-out which setups will clear some popular wheel sizes (since that's gotta be the next-most-common question on this topic).

For self-serving purposes, I'm trying to find out if a 17z 330mm front / B5 S4 256mm rear setup will clear 17-inch B6 sport wheels…(which I believe are 17x7.5", ET45)



Great thread. Subscribed. Thanks!

yes, the next thing I am going to do is try to add a list or wheels, or the size of wheels that these brake kits will clear

[demonmk2]

also wanted to add that the ( used ) b8 S4 calepers/brackets and b6/b7 s4 rotors ( 345mm) cost about 500 bucks. so its a cheap big brake upgrade.
on an A4 you would have to use S4 B5 uprights

[DoesntCare]

Any idea if the carriers from a 3.2L TT work for the basic upgrade in the front?

1.8t TT's have single piston calipers up front with a 12.3" rotor

3.2 TT's have dual piston calipers up front with a 13.15" rotor

I'm not seeing the part number you have listed for the TT carrier as fitting the 3.2L but I figured I'd double check

P/N I found on ECS for the 3.2L carrier is 8N0615125A

[a4kamila6]

What i would like to know is if the carrier from an a6 c5 3.0 with 312mm rotors and g60 single piston ATE calipers will work with b5 a4 front calipers in order to do 288-312mm rotor upgrade?

Better yet, would the entire g60 caliper/carrier combo work with 312mm rotor on b5 a4 spindle?

Reason i ask is because i am trying to avoid spending 150 per TT carrier and at the moment, rockauto doesnt have any front TT carriers.

[GOODBYNAAIR]

What i would like to know is if the carrier from an a6 c5 3.0 with 312mm rotors and g60 single piston ATE calipers will work with b5 a4 front caliper in order to do 288-312mm rotor upgrade?

Better yet, would the entire g60 caliper/carrier combo work with 312mm rotor on b5 a4 spindle?

Reason i ask is because i am trying to avoid spending 150 per TT carrier and at the moment, rockauto doesnt have any front TT carriers.

This is the same as the B6 A4 3.0 312mm and the B7 A4 "sport" breaks. you will need uprights if you don't have carriers. 98% sure, others will correct me if not.

[Bordom]

If over B5 S4, uprights are required

[a4kamila6]

This is the same as the B6 A4 3.0 312mm and the B7 A4 "sport" breaks. you will need uprights if you don't have carriers. 98% sure, others will correct me if not.

So to use g60 ATE calipers/carriers with 312mm rotor i need b5 s4 spindle? Or can i re-use b5 a4 spindle? I thought maybe i could get away with just using the caliper/carrier and not having to replace spindle.

If i need s4 spindle for this then i guess im better off just sourcing those TT carriers and re-using my old b5 a4 calipers with 312mm rotors?

[Bordom]

It's the same diameter. If you're going to switch the S4 uprights, get a BBK that is going to perform a hundred fold over a single piston

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[a4kamila6]

It's the same diameter. If you're going to switch the S4 uprights, get a BBK that is going to perform a hundred fold over a single piston

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Hmmm i was trying to avoid s4 uprights and just get 312mm rotors, leave b5 a4 calipers with TT carriers or get g60 ATE calipers with carriers and also use 312mm disc with b5 a4 upright.

And you are right if i upgrade to s4 spindle i might aswell go true bbk but the problem is my summer wheels are 17x7.5 et45 a6 stockers i got from someone, test fitted them over hp2's and they didnt clear, so that goes to show they probably wont clear a big caliper, would need at least 5-10mm spacer and i am trying to avoid spacers. Winter wheels are 16x7 et35 a4 stockers, and they will clear a 312mm rotor but i dont know about a true BBK. Trying to keep costs down as low as possible cause this is my daily and i should be wasting money on my 2.7 and not this.

[Bordom]

Hmmm i was trying to avoid s4 uprights and just get 312mm rotors, leave b5 a4 calipers with TT carriers or get g60 ATE calipers with carriers and also use 312mm disc with b5 a4 upright.

And you are right if i upgrade to s4 spindle i might aswell go true bbk but the problem is my summer wheels are 17x7.5 et45 a6 stockers i got from someone, test fitted them over hp2's and they didnt clear, so that goes to show they probably wont clear a big caliper, would need at least 5-10mm spacer and i am trying to avoid spacers. Winter wheels are 16x7 et35 a4 stockers, and they will clear a 312mm rotor but i dont know about a true BBK. Trying to keep costs down as low as possible cause this is my daily and i should be wasting money on my 2.7 and not this.

The HP2 calipers are 10mm wider than 17z calipers. Which is ridiculous.

There is a 16" steelie that will fit over the HP2 brakes but I don't recall what it is.

Find the Mk1 TT carriers and use your A4 calipers. Forget the C5 3.0 brakes.

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[walky_talky20]

Reason i ask is because i am trying to avoid spending 150 per TT carrier and at the moment, rockauto doesnt have any front TT carriers.

$300 in carriers! Dude, just dial up a junkyard that has an MKI TT. They'll sell you the calipers for like 30 bucks each. And they come with the carriers...for freezies. You might even get the pads and half a brake line. Literally everyone just gets reman calipers at Autozone these days, so junkyards have to basically give away their used calipers. Get in on that action.

Absolute worst case, you buy 2 reman TT calipers from RockAuto for $45 each, and eat the $40 core price on them. That's $170 total.

[a4kamila6]

$300 in carriers! Dude, just dial up a junkyard that has an MKI TT. They'll sell you the calipers for like 30 bucks each. And they come with the carriers...for freezies. You might even get the pads and half a brake line. Literally everyone just gets reman calipers at Autozone these days, so junkyards have to basically give away their used calipers. Get in on that action.

Absolute worst case, you buy 2 reman TT calipers from RockAuto for $45 each, and eat the $40 core price on them. That's $170 total.

I didnt think of trying junkyard, good point man.

[redline380]

I didnt think of trying junkyard, good point man.

That's B5 ownership 101

[rodgertherabit]

If you want something more than 17z, than screw you go look it up yourself. There is no reason to have that kind of braking on a street car. If it is a race car, talk to your race team.

this made my day...

Im a huge advocate of the 986/boxster set up... I ran it on my MKIV (liked it better than my 18z set up actually) and currently run them on the b5 (with upgraded v8 rear brakes) and have never needed any more.

Keep in mind, im using Cheap $50 oreilly ceramics (lifetime warranty ftw) and if I ever need more Ill just buy better pads. maybe slot the rotors if you track it every once in a while.

[demonmk2]

Hmmm i was trying to avoid s4 uprights and just get 312mm rotors, leave b5 a4 calipers with TT carriers or get g60 ATE calipers with carriers and also use 312mm disc with b5 a4 upright.

And you are right if i upgrade to s4 spindle i might aswell go true bbk but the problem is my summer wheels are 17x7.5 et45 a6 stockers i got from someone, test fitted them over hp2's and they didnt clear, so that goes to show they probably wont clear a big caliper, would need at least 5-10mm spacer and i am trying to avoid spacers. Winter wheels are 16x7 et35 a4 stockers, and they will clear a 312mm rotor but i dont know about a true BBK. Trying to keep costs down as low as possible cause this is my daily and i should be wasting money on my 2.7 and not this.

you could look for 986 Baxter calipers to use with the 312mmx25 rotors. and still use the a4 uprights.
no matter what I recommend upgrading the rears to at least S4 specs.

[melomandn]

That's B5 ownership 101

For real tho

[grifrowl]

B7 S4 300mm:
B5 S4 Caliper Rt 8D0 615 424 C
B5 S4 Caliper Lt 8D0 615 423 C
B7 S4 300mm x 22mm rotors 8E0 615 601R
Apikol/034 brackets
Requires new brake lines?Y
Confirmed fitment-Centric (Stoptech branded) 950.33005 brake lines

This can also be done with b6/7 S4 calipers, which are slightly bigger than b5 s4 calipers. Requires 10mm spacers and 10mm longer bolts than stock. Also requires 10mm to 12mm adaptors or b6 brake lines as outers.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...yard-b5-brakes

[grifrowl]

PS we have grabbed a few pairs of 17z calipers through worldpac for very respectable prices.

[spinnin_four]

So i am a bit confused

i have an 01 A4

I have C5 A6 V8 rear calipers/ brackets and A8 rotors

The bracket will not fully bolt up to my knuckle, bracket interferes, which bracket do i need?

[Bordom]

So i am a bit confused

i have an 01 A4

I have C5 A6 V8 rear calipers/ brackets and A8 rotors

The bracket will not fully bolt up to my knuckle, bracket interferes, which bracket do i need?

If you read the second post carefully, it says to use the A8 rotor/carrier with S4 calipers.

I'm not sure if the C5 V8 calipers are the same as the B5 S4 calipers

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[spinnin_four]

If you read the second post carefully, it says to use the A8 rotor/carrier with S4 calipers.

I'm not sure if the C5 V8 calipers are the same as the B5 S4 calipers

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I think i found a way to make the A6 caliper/carrier work with the A8 rotor,

I ground down the carrier at the point it was interfering with the knuckle

Then the next dilemma was the carrier offset was wrong causing rotor interference, i picked up some 2mm "shims" to space it out.

everything bolts up, parking brake, A6 brake hose connected into stock hard line, all is well so we shall see :)

[155VERT83]

Quote Originally Posted by melomandn
"Out of curiosity, why don't people run B6/B7 S4 front brakes on B5 S4 spindles? Demonmk2 touched on it, although mentioned B8 calipers. Any reason the B6/B7 calipers wont work? Seems like a cheap alternative to get a big (345mm) setup up front."

Because if I am going through that much work, I want something pretty. And 17z/18z isn't that much more.

melomandn I went with the B6/B7 S4 front calipers & B5 S4 spindles option for my 2001 B5 A4 Avant 2.8Q (Tiptragic!). I wanted a low cost, bolt-on, OEM solution that required absolutely no grinding/clearancing. My B6 S4 calipers were $140 shipped (eBay: calipers $120/shipping $20). ECS Tuning: 345mm rotors $139 shipped- bought add'l $61 of stuff for "free shipping with $200 order"). My car is a daily driver (no track action) on horrible, congested Wash. DC/Northern VA roads. I can opt to move to the 17Z/18Z's later. For now I'm OK with the no-so-pretty B6/S4 calipers.

[melomandn]

melomandn I went with the B6/B7 S4 front calipers & B5 S4 spindles option for my 2001 B5 A4 Avant 2.8Q (Tiptragic!). I wanted a low cost, bolt-on, OEM solution that required absolutely no grinding/clearancing. My B6 S4 calipers were $140 shipped (eBay: calipers $120/shipping $20). ECS Tuning: 345mm rotors $139 shipped- bought add'l $61 of stuff for "free shipping with $200 order"). My car is a daily driver (no track action) on horrible, congested Wash. DC/Northern VA roads. I can opt to move to the 17Z/18Z's later. For now I'm OK with the no-so-pretty B6/S4 calipers.

The more I think about it, I take back what I said earlier and believe this is a great route to take.

Even if you pick up a set from a scrapyard or car-part.com or whatever, 17/18z's will still cost 3 times as much as B6 S4 calipers. And as you said, if you want to upgrade later on, it is nice and easy.

Additionally, after seeing a few of these swaps in person, of course its not as visually pleasing as a set of Porsche Brembo's but it is still a nice visual upgrade. It fills out the wheel and the caliper looks huge in comparison to stock.

[bikerbob951]

I just completed the rear A8 269mm brake upgrade, using B5 S4 rear calipers, C5 A6 V8 rear carriers, and PBR ultimate pads. This, along with my A8/TT front upgrade and SS lines has made a huge difference. Can confirm on spacers, I just used some flat washers I found on my workbench and the carriers mounted right up, no problems.

BTW, my 17x8 wheels barely clear the rear brakes, the back side of the wheel is about 1/8" from the caliper.

[redline380]

BTW, my 17x8 wheels barely clear the rear brakes, the back side of the wheel is about 1/8" from the caliper.

Funny because I have plenty of clearance on my 300mm rear upgrade with 17" celebration wheels

[pee quu]

Out of curiosity, why don't people run B6/B7 S4 front brakes on B5 S4 spindles? Demonmk2 touched on it, although mentioned B8 calipers. Any reason the B6/B7 calipers wont work? Seems like a cheap alternative to get a big (345mm) setup up front.

I put B7 A4 front calipers on my car. It was super cheap, painted them black I am even running them with the S4 caliper spring. Looks good and gets the job done. Gives more room for better wheel fitment compared to a 17z/18z caliper. Granted you need B5 S4 up rights to use these calipers.

[bikerbob951]

Funny because I have plenty of clearance on my 300mm rear upgrade with 17" celebration wheels

Well the clearance I mentioned is from the back of the wheel face, not from the caliper to the rim.

[Davdraco1]

That's an offset issue then.

[pee quu]

it depends on the wheel is made, for example ccw you can have an et 35 on a 9.5'' wide wheel with a 3'' lip or u can have an et 35 on a 1'' lip. The way the wheel sits on the car doesn't change. The face just moves in and out depending on the lip size and the et stays the same. The 3'' lip will have a face with a smaller back pad limiting big brake fitment vs the wheel with a 1'' lip will have a large back pad giving plenty of room for big brake fitment