Thinking about the BREMBO GT upgrade

[Firefly4322]

Well, I have always wanted a set of the Brembo GT Big Brakes and have just been waiting for the right time.
I think its now... My front brakes dont appear to be functioning like they should. The pads look like they are brand new as far as their thickness goes, at least on the outside fronts. The rear pads are nearly gone and are already carving into the rear rotors. So of course with changing out my fronts I will need to do something about the rear pads and rotors.
I am assuming that all the braking power is being handled by the rear rotors and the fronts got glazed enough so that they were ineffective back when I did the racing for the 1.8T challenge. Even the Pro Driver said that they faded... On top of that I dont think that they are quite designed to handle that kind of driving.
Anyways, the whole reason for creating this thread. Has anyone out there upgraded to the Brembo GTs? If so, was it a difficult task? and what did you do about the ABS sensor?

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

I think the MKIV's eat the rear brakes first, not sure why, but that's what I hear.

A few folks here run Brembo BBK's, some others run Stoptech. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about both. I've installed both kits, and it's pretty straightforward. The most important part is making sure you get a good bleed accomplished.

I'm not sure that anything has to be done with the ABS sensor. Do you mean the break wear sensor?

[Firefly4322]

Nah, Im lookin at the front electronic sensor that hooks up to the caliper. I remember it being on the driver's side only for some reason. maybe its not an ABS sensor and its a ESP sensor

[VWSickness]

Nah, Im lookin at the front electronic sensor that hooks up to the caliper. I remember it being on the driver's side only for some reason. maybe its not an ABS sensor and its a ESP sensor

That would be your pad wear sensor. If you go to a big brake kit like the Brembo you will just need to delete it. ESP is part of the ABS system

[Nefarious]

The brembos on a MKIV rock (might be a biased opinion since i was sponsored by them).

As for the pad wear sensor you just cut the connector and wire off the old pads then splice the 2 wires together to create a jumper of sorts that will keep you pad wear sensor light from coming on.

[bugzy]

As for the rear setup, id recomend a simple pad and rotor replacement

id talk to Mike Kim at www.purems.com and ask him what a good rear setup is with a front BBK

[Firefly4322]

The brembos on a MKIV rock (might be a biased opinion since i was sponsored by them).

As for the pad wear sensor you just cut the connector and wire off the old pads then splice the 2 wires together to create a jumper of sorts that will keep you pad wear sensor light from coming on.

Do you need to run a resistor between the two wires when jumping it? :confused:



As for the rear setup, id recomend a simple pad and rotor replacement

id talk to Mike Kim at www.purems.com and ask him what a good rear setup is with a front BBK.

Thanks Lon, I'll have to call them on Monday :tup:

[bugzy]

dont forgot to mention to PureMS that your from SCE

and if you want, you can msg him on SCE, his screen name is MikeKim

[Firefly4322]

PM sent! :tup:

Thanks !

[RavinJetta]

No to bypass the brake wear sensor you just tie the two ends together and that is it. The reason the rear brakes wear first is because of the softer compound VW used in the rear. I have stoptechs and love them btw

[Firefly4322]

Thanks for the tip.
I have been wondering about StopTech but the only thing that makes me think is that they have only been around for about 6 years and Brembo has been around for much longer and their brakes are on stock on Porsches, Lamborginis, BMWs, and they use them in F-1 Race cars, Races cars in General. They appear to be very impressive with numbers and all. I just think there is a little more R and D into the Brembos vice the Stop Tech. I could be wrong though.
Maybe I should think about it for a few more days.....

[bugzy]

Honestly the Stoptech and Brembo is very comparable. I would opt for Brembo if they were the same price, but the price difference definitely keeps Stoptech in the game

[Nefarious]

Thanks for the tip.
I have been wondering about StopTech but the only thing that makes me think is that they have only been around for about 6 years and Brembo has been around for much longer and their brakes are on stock on Porsches, Lamborginis, BMWs, and they use them in F-1 Race cars, Races cars in General. They appear to be very impressive with numbers and all. I just think there is a little more R and D into the Brembos vice the Stop Tech. I could be wrong though.
Maybe I should think about it for a few more days.....

They're also stock on my Touareg ;).

[Firefly4322]

They're also stock on my Touareg ;).


SSWwwweeet!

[T-Boy]

I love my setup......

[JoeVeeDubber]

I have this setup in RED on my 337. With the right pads it works amazing. Yes, the pad wear sensor is deleted. You simply short the wires together to get rid of the warning light in your dash. One thing to note about this setup, it requires some wheels with plenty of space. I run 17x8 35ET 5zigen FN01R-Cs and they didn't clear. At the time I did not want to run spacers, so I opted to shave the caliper face, or rather sand it down. Still works as good as it was designed. I have abused this setup pretty hard on the track and it works great. Some people get some squealing, but that is common. Before you drop the cash on it you may want to ask yourself why though, the only real purpose they were made for is track use. Normal street driving should not require such a serious setup. While it makes you stop faster, which is great for you, it may not be great for that 10 ton semi behind you, heh. Well, good luck in your upgrades!

[bugzy]

I have this setup in RED on my 337. With the right pads it works amazing. Yes, the pad wear sensor is deleted. You simply short the wires together to get rid of the warning light in your dash. One thing to note about this setup, it requires some wheels with plenty of space. I run 17x8 35ET 5zigen FN01R-Cs and they didn't clear. At the time I did not want to run spacers, so I opted to shave the caliper face, or rather sand it down. Still works as good as it was designed. I have abused this setup pretty hard on the track and it works great. Some people get some squealing, but that is common. Before you drop the cash on it you may want to ask yourself why though, the only real purpose they were made for is track use. Normal street driving should not require such a serious setup. While it makes you stop faster, which is great for you, it may not be great for that 10 ton semi behind you, heh. Well, good luck in your upgrades!
Joe !! long time no talk !!

hope your doing well ...

[Firefly4322]

I have this setup in RED on my 337. With the right pads it works amazing. Yes, the pad wear sensor is deleted. You simply short the wires together to get rid of the warning light in your dash. One thing to note about this setup, it requires some wheels with plenty of space. I run 17x8 35ET 5zigen FN01R-Cs and they didn't clear. At the time I did not want to run spacers, so I opted to shave the caliper face, or rather sand it down. Still works as good as it was designed. I have abused this setup pretty hard on the track and it works great. Some people get some squealing, but that is common. Before you drop the cash on it you may want to ask yourself why though, the only real purpose they were made for is track use. Normal street driving should not require such a serious setup. While it makes you stop faster, which is great for you, it may not be great for that 10 ton semi behind you, heh. Well, good luck in your upgrades!


I tottally agres with the Semi issue. I want my car to be more of an agile fighter that does extremely well on the street but can collect the dog tags in a fight. Of course that means at the track. I got my taste of road course and I need more. I dont have the brakes to handle that so of course I want to upgrade and besides they look very good. I have a set of 18X8 O.Z. Superleggeras witha -35 offest. I am 100% sure that they will fit. I've seen them on Paul's Audi and I "Think" Lon's as well. Paul had 17's of the Superleggera types and they were nice and snug. I know thats a tad different from car to car. Especially an A4 vice the Jetta. I have some pretty steep plans (Quattro/4motion Hybrid, Big Turbo, Brakes) for my car but its my toy and project so whatever I spend on it will be well spent. It's just somethings are more necessary than others at the moment. (timing belt kit... and brakes).

Thanks for the Advice :tup: I need all that I can get =)