Re: Misc. V8 questions (V8 brakes)

[firkins@eis.net.au]

>Some reports that I read stated that this reduced the unsprung weight
>by about 140 lbs. This is a substantial weight savings.

Unfortunately also substantially untrue. I weighed all the components
except the pads from both systems & the totla weight savings is about 14kg
(30lb). Still wothwhile but not dramatic

>After I purchased the car I had my very trusted Audi dealer inpect the car.
>The service rep stated that she could detect a very slight vibration and
>suspects that there is a minor warp.

Have you tried the 4 stops from 80mph solution? I've always suspected that
the percieved warping problem with these rotors is more to do with the
rotor moving its axis relative to the mount (ie the dish which holds the
rotor) rather than a physical warp in the rotor.

>You are absolutely correct when you stated that the V8 is a heavy car. It
>seems that the brakes require considerable muscle.

Either you need to eat weeties for breakfast, or you have some other
problem. While no Audi that I've driven has the over assisted pedal typical
of most Japanese or US cars that I've driven, they dont reqire much effort.

>I'm considering pressing Audi to do the conversion. I would appreciate any
>comments from those that had the conversion.

When I changed the brakes over, I also changed to Cool Carbon pads coz I
was concerned with the 20% decrease in swept area of the conventional
setup. The car stops extremely well, good enough to impress seasoned
drivers & to scare those who have never explored the limits of their
brakes. The down side to the CC's are dust which some people find a
problem, occaisional noise & possibly increased rotor wear. I say possibly
as the rotors I fitted had been lightly turned (down to 24.3mm). The
current wisdom from Audi dealers & others in Oz is that Audi & other German
rotors should not be touched as they are surface hardened. My experience
with this set would seem to bear this out. In the 12,500km(7,800miles) I've
done since fitting them, the disc is now down to about 20-21mm.

cheers

John Firkins