Brake braintrust ... looking to upgrade
05-02-2006, 12:32 PM
#11
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Depends on your car/driving habits and what your looking for in brakes.
In the B5 shootout in the European Car a while back, stock brakes with aftermarket pads took the top two spots in shortest braking distance. Tires make the biggest difference in braking, so make sure you have the right tires first.
It also depends on how you drive, what you are looking for in braking.
If you track your car, you may want to start with track pads, high temp brake fluid and SS brake lines.
If you are looking to reduce unsprung weight, then go with the lightest combination for a given car.
If you are looking for looks, then the Porsche/slotted/drilled certainly fill the bill.
IMHO, brakes are probably the most over rated mod you can make to your car, as the stock Audi brakes are fairly good. One of the national tuner mags, has a good article on what mods provide actual gains, and which are over hyped. I believe it is in Sport Compact Car, but the magazine is at home.
I went with ECS two piece for my B6 S4, because I wanted to reduce the unsprung weight at the front of the car. As I do not track my car, I went with ceramic street pads.
Define your needs first then the answer can be determined.
It also depends on how you drive, what you are looking for in braking.
If you track your car, you may want to start with track pads, high temp brake fluid and SS brake lines.
If you are looking to reduce unsprung weight, then go with the lightest combination for a given car.
If you are looking for looks, then the Porsche/slotted/drilled certainly fill the bill.
IMHO, brakes are probably the most over rated mod you can make to your car, as the stock Audi brakes are fairly good. One of the national tuner mags, has a good article on what mods provide actual gains, and which are over hyped. I believe it is in Sport Compact Car, but the magazine is at home.
I went with ECS two piece for my B6 S4, because I wanted to reduce the unsprung weight at the front of the car. As I do not track my car, I went with ceramic street pads.
Define your needs first then the answer can be determined.
05-02-2006, 12:40 PM
#12
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Yes, everything you need to know about Stoptechs at the link inside.
There was a posting on the B5 S4 board about a short rotor life on one of the other BBKs. I think it was the ECS kit, but I'm not sure.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/619054.phtml">See the first hyperlink in the post for the big discussion</a></li></ul>
05-02-2006, 04:03 PM
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Mike, Please explain what you mean by fried.
Do you mean melt the pads on the rotors? If so, it is a pad issue, not a rotor issue. But if your rotors are covered with baked on deposits, they are toast so time for a BBK.
Jim
Jim
05-02-2006, 04:19 PM
#20
from a track junkie that goes through pads often, Stoptech. cheaper and more sources of pads.
I have found that STs have more modulation than the others (Brembo and Alcon). They almost feel like stock at the top of the pedal and when you need more brakes, press firmly and you can out-brake any street tire.
Honestly, you can change brake performance by just running different pads.
I don't know how long rotors last for Brembo/Alcon, but I have a ton of track days and have lost count of the number of pads that I've gone through and I'm still on the original set of rotors. Granted, they're cracking and the slots are gone, but they've been put through a lot of street miles and track days. (new set about to go on when I finally get around to pulling off my winter wheels).
Honestly, you can change brake performance by just running different pads.
I don't know how long rotors last for Brembo/Alcon, but I have a ton of track days and have lost count of the number of pads that I've gone through and I'm still on the original set of rotors. Granted, they're cracking and the slots are gone, but they've been put through a lot of street miles and track days. (new set about to go on when I finally get around to pulling off my winter wheels).