[k-wood]

Looking to upgrade the brakes on my 2.0T B6 passat (I am running 18's).

I've heard a lot of great things about the "A8-TT" upgrade from B5 or B5.5 owners. (I just haven't seen this big brake option on any of the tuning companies' websites for the B6, but have for the earlier models.

The one I'm referring to calls for the following:

1. A8 rotors
2. TT caliper carriers
3. (bolts onto stock calipers).

Here are my questions:
1. Does this same upgrade work for the newer B6?
2. Will it work on my 2wd passat, or is it only apply to the 4mo vehicles?
(I am looking for sure to do the rears right now, because they need replacing, and that's always a good time/excuse to do an upgrade.

Anyone done this upgrade?

 

[acidrane]

i believe the b6 (at least on MY2010) are the same size as the a8/tt rotors. that's the reason you wont find any kits for it. you have it already! haha. oem brake upgrade would be the r36/32 brake system but i think that requires 18's.

 

[ECS Tuning]

As mentioned above, the B6 already has the larger brakes (312mm) so the next OEM upgrade path would be the R36 versions (345mm) for the B6 platform.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen...&utm_content=postreply&utm_campaign=postreply

The B6 conversion does require new calipers, carriers, lines and rotors so the upgrade is a bit more expensive than the B5 / B5.5 cars as only the carriers and larger rotors are needed.

 

[k-wood]

DOH :banghead:
LOL.
I realized that yesterday a few hours after I asked the question -- and looked at the actual brake SIZES...funny thing that OEM was 312! Glad to have it confirmed by the experts!

I do have 18s, but I'm thinking the R32/36 upgrade a little bit spendy right now...

Maybe i'll just try different pads and new rotors first --
I was thinking:

Pads: EBC redstuff or else something ceramic:
(what I'm looking for: a little more grip, a little less dust)
Rotors: Zinc-coated, vented or maybe slotted (I'd like to hear some of your reasoning on this one!)

 

[acidrane]

i was very happy with slotted rotors and hawk hps pads on my a4. tho if you live in cold weather the hps probably the best pads cuz they pretty much suck when cold. lol. as for dust on the oem pads....i WISH i got more dust and MORE grip! these pads dont make ANY dust, literally!

 

[k-wood]

in Minnesota, so yes, colder!
so do you mean the HPS is NOT the best in cold weather or IS the best?

 

[Dark_Helmet]

not the best. I have Hawk HPS. The first couple of stops in the winter time is pretty scary, because braking power is almost non-existent, until they heat up (I got a 4 stops to make down 1000 ft drop to the main road)

 

[The Swami]

Very true... Most ceramic and ceramic blend pad compounds have issues in cold weather climates. It takes time for the pads to warm up and the initial stopping distances can be borderline dangerous in the winter. If you are looking for a good set of pads that are low-dusting and provide good bite, I highly recommend PBR XBG compound pads aka Metal Masters for the old school BMW/VW/Audi set.

 

[acidrane]

in Minnesota, so yes, colder!
so do you mean the HPS is NOT the best in cold weather or IS the best?

err, sorry. they are NOT the best pads for cold climate.

 

[k-wood]

Ok so too late now -- before you posted that about ceramics being terrible in colder climates, I had already ordered EBC redstuff and Centric (coated) rotors.
Here's the one thing that had me confused - the EBC seemed to have some of the characteristics of a ceramic, but many websites (I think ECS?) didn't say explicitly that it was ceramic.
It sounded like a really good pad (performance-wise yet clean, not noisy) from everything I read though, so that's why I got it.
The only thing I know I'm in for is a little more rigorous break-in process.
Thoughts -- do you guys think I'm gonna regret it?

 

[The Swami]

Ok so too late now -- before you posted that about ceramics being terrible in colder climates, I had already ordered EBC redstuff and Centric (coated) rotors.
Here's the one thing that had me confused - the EBC seemed to have some of the characteristics of a ceramic, but many websites (I think ECS?) didn't say explicitly that it was ceramic.
It sounded like a really good pad (performance-wise yet clean, not noisy) from everything I read though, so that's why I got it.
The only thing I know I'm in for is a little more rigorous break-in process.
Thoughts -- do you guys think I'm gonna regret it?

All EBC pads use ceramic or ceramic/blend compound. You will experience some issues when braking in cold weather but if you are cautious and warm up the pad with some choppy stops during the winter you should get through it fine. I normally don't recommend EBC pads because their design doesn't include pad shims which lessen the vibration which causes the annoying squeal. EBC offers free adhesive pad shims on their website that you can stick on the pad base, and when paired with some good Brake Quiet Paste or Anti-Seize Compound should do the job nicely.

Good luck,

Will aka The Swami

 

[k-wood]

Hey, I got mine in the mail yesterday, still trying to make sure they're right before I put em on. It has some black things on the shiny side of the pad (not the break-in side) that say "EBC RedStuffCeramic" made in England" and serial number,
Sorry for the noob question, but is that what the shim is? Or is this something I ought to peel off before use?

 

[The Swami]

Yes, those are the shims... You don't peel them off!

 

[k-wood]

so then they shouldn't squeal?

 

[The Swami]

You should be fine, but be sure to use a good brake quiet paste and not the spray!