Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

[Surrey Sam]

Had ceramics on my B7 and loved them, unfortunately finding the right spec'd B8 with them already on wasn't achievable when I purchased the car, a couple of years back. So since then I've been searching for a used set and all I could find was overpriced worn rubbish. Then the B9 RS4 was launched and I found out, that this generation now had 400mm ceramics over the R8,B7 and B8's 380mm versions. As my B8 now has 20" wheels, I secretly wanted the larger ones to fill the wheels out to a similar level, like I had on my previous B7.

So began a new search and fortunately I didn't have long to wait. A chap purchased these B9 RS4/5 discs to fit on a Golf R but couldn't make it happen, so I got them at a good price and then proceeded to buy all the rest of the B9 parts to try this retrofit. Fingers crossed I can make it happen otherwise it'll be an expensive mistake

Will update in due course, but it shall be a couple of weeks before I start out on it.

400mm Ceramics

[daytonamart]

Excellent project Sam, can't wait for the results, fingers crossed it works out for you.

Those calipers look massive!

[noddy]

Wow! Is that all that needs changing? What are the standard b9 disc size? Will they fit the b8?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Surrey Sam]

Cheers Mart, yeah the callipers surprised me too.

Noddy - I have no idea if that's all which needs changing, as I'm not aware of anybody doing this conversion before. The B9 steels are 10mm larger than the B8's at 375mm and utilise a new Akebono 6 piston calliper, which is also different to the 6 piston Brembo calliper used on the Ceramic equipped cars.

[Sammyb349]

Sam you are my hero. I too have been looking at ceramics and was crestfallen after concluding the same as you. If you get this done I am right behind you and will owe you some beer money!

[Ian_C]

Holy sh!t Sam - you don't do things by halves!!!!

[Brooner]

Feck that's an early Xmas present Sam

[MikeFish]

Sexy!

[fivetones]

I think the disc offset is different from b8 -> b9 but it’s possible to space/shim.

Will be great to see how you get on Sam.

[Surrey Sam]

Thanks guy's, looking forward to get this started when I return home next week.

I know the Disc, Calliper & Carrier are the same between B9 RS5 and B9 RS4, like it was on the B8. But not sure if different between B8 and B9, I shall find out soon though .

[N8KOW]

How are we getting along with your brake upgrade Sam?

[Surrey Sam]

Starting on the project has been delayed, as my garage roof (new build) had to be ripped out. That should be completed tomorrow and I may get the car back in on Sunday for an initial measure up/fitment.

I'll keep the thread updated, as and when I make any progress.

[fivetones]

Looking forward to see how you get on Sam. I think once you know the offsets of the discs then the rest can follow. I’d like to know the measurements too.

[Lukes3]

Great stuff,
Just needs these on a b7 now lol

[Surrey Sam]

OK did some work on this yesterday.

Unfortunately, it's not going to be a bolt on replacement which I'd hoped for.

The B9 Backing plates have three of the four mounting points the same, so no big deal there, as you can drill the 4th but it seem quite secure with just the three fastened. The plate may just require a little trimming/fettling around the rear wishbone to clear full lock. I didn't test this as there were bigger issues to resolve.

So onto mounting the disc and it appears that the B9 disc offset is different and sits too far inboard, as the disc interferes with the stone guard. I'd say a spacer between 2-5mm will bring it back out to where it needs to be. So I then removed the backing plate, which would allow me to try see how the calliper and carrier would fit when the disc is mounted. That also presented a problem. As the carrier mounting points are too close to the centre line and need to be around 20-25mm further away, than they currently are. So a customised carrier is going to need making.

Not a very productive day unfortunately

I think that I shall now buy a whole upright from a breakers yard and use that to start mocking something up. As it'll be far easier and quicker to work on that, rather than pulling the car apart each time to test fit bits. Guess that's my winter project sorted now.