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Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 1:52 pm
by 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 :shock:

Will update in due course, but it shall be a couple of weeks before I start out on it.
400Ceramics.jpg
400mm Ceramics

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 1:55 pm
by daytonamart
Excellent project Sam, can't wait for the results, fingers crossed it works out for you.

Those calipers look massive!

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 1:57 pm
by noddy
Wow! Is that all that needs changing? What are the standard b9 disc size? Will they fit the b8?


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Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 2:14 pm
by 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.

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:43 pm
by 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!

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 8:31 pm
by Ian_C
Holy sh!t Sam - you don't do things by halves!!!!

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:20 am
by Brooner
Feck that's an early Xmas present Sam

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 7:00 am
by MikeFish
Sexy!

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:27 pm
by 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.

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 12:17 pm
by 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 :lol: .

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:15 pm
by N8KOW
How are we getting along with your brake upgrade Sam?

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:50 pm
by 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.

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 11:32 am
by 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.

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 1:09 pm
by Lukes3
Great stuff,
Just needs these on a b7 now lol

Re: Ceramics B9 400mm retrofit project

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 12:44 pm
by 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.
Stone guards.jpg

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 :thumbsdown:
Disc Testjpg.jpg
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.