Hub, brake and suspension upgrades

Emjay · 06-09-08, 12:42 PM

Good news...got my Ronals shod today. Came home all excited ready to go.

Bad news..hub stud placement on my car is 4x100, Ronals are 4x108 so they don't fit. Car is currently sat on axle stands. However with every setback there is an opportunity so not to worry.

Opportunity: sort the brakes ans suspension whilst she is up on the stands and convert to a bigger hub.

Questions: will a later coupe hubs be a straight swap? and can anyone reccomend any good brake upgrade paths?. It would be good to try and bring the braking power up to modern(ish) standards. So ideas on caliper and drum sizes/types, pads and shoes and shockers greatly appreciated.

As the car is now off the ground then she is effectively in hibernation whilst I prepare the underside then sadly Coxy I won't be able to make the BC meet tomorrow and will have to withdraw from the Audi show in October. But hopefully soon she will be back on the road resplendant in her new high heels lol.

Pics to follow as I progress and if anyone in the Stockport area wants to bob along to offer some support and get their hands dirty you are more then welcome.

MikeNZ · 06-09-08, 01:51 PM

Hmmm, of the top of my head a later Coupe GT rear axle (is 4x108 IIRC) complete (has rear discs) is a straight swap. Plenty of BTDT from the US on this.

The front axle - if you are going with 14" wheels you are restricted to the 256mm discs standard on the later B2 Coupes. Dunno if they are any bigger than what is on there now.

To get 280mm discs you need 15" wheels and in that case you could do what 20vcqdriver did and put Corrado/Golf G60 discs (redrilled to 4x108) and early Type 89 struts with Corrado caliper brackets. Or get some other aftermarket setup maybe...

Emjay · 06-09-08, 02:28 PM

Thanks Mike

current front discs are 239mm so upgrading to 256mm should be ok then. The rear axle swap is interesting if it comes with discs. That would certainly be a big improvement over the drum setup at the moment.

MikeNZ · 06-09-08, 02:35 PM

The 5-cyl 2226cc Coupe GT 1985-on definitely has discs at the rear. The 4 cyl ones I think kept drums.

Edit: just found this, mentions a rear disc swap and other upgrades to a Coupe...

http://mongrelmotorsports.homestead.com/Audi.html

They refer to the "87.5" Coupe which was a late Coupe GT that had stuff the UK/Euro models got a couple of years earlier.

The 4x 100/108 PCD issue is discussed here:

http://www.igdc.com/ejfluhr/audi/Specs/84coupe.html

Which says (referring to US models but should apply here) and I quote:

"Anyway, some info based on ownership.

I have had 2 1984 Coupe GT's and both have had the 2.2 litre engine. My
first was purchased early in the year and my second was a late year
model. The both have the 4 X 100 instead of the 108, which changed in
1985. When I bought my coupes there never was the option of the 2.1
liter engine, and my brochures don't show that option available. I
believe I have the 093 ratio 5spd.

Both of my coupes have the CIS-E injection. I believe that everything
as far as engine and suspension is the same as your 1985 model."

pimpdriver · 06-09-08, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emjay62

Thanks Mike

current front discs are 239mm so upgrading to 256mm should be ok then. The rear axle swap is interesting if it comes with discs. That would certainly be a big improvement over the drum setup at the moment.

Have you replaced all the relevant parts of the current brake set up? Or are they knackered?

My 80 Sport was used for rallying (not by me) and has the standard 239mm front and 200mm rear drums. The guy (Ray the Looney Badger) - i.e. a bit of a nutter said they didn't need upgrading. However, I have sourced some 256mm calipers.

Rear disks are a waste of time, the calipers just seize. Stick with drums (are yours 180 or 200mm??)

Get decent discs and pads (EBC pads and discs) with new fluid, and stainless hoses.

Emjay · 06-09-08, 04:00 PM

cheers for the help guys.

Figured I am just going to stick with the current drum/disc setup so what I need are

1 - replacement drums 200mm with 108x4 PDC. Currently have 4 x 108. So what can I get these off/from

2- Front hub assembly with 108x4 PDC, current is 100x4 same as above. I will be looking to replace discs, pads calipers etc. Essentially give the brake system a clean start. It doesn't look to bad.

I also need to change the brake pressure regulator as that was an MOT advisory. Luckily I have that part new to hand

Emjay · 06-09-08, 06:14 PM

anyone any thoughts on hub adaptors?

msh · 06-09-08, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpdriver

Rear disks are a waste of time, the calipers just seize. Stick with drums (are yours 180 or 200mm??)

Just like in the case of ISV

Front brakes are for braking, rear ones for stabilizing

And pimpdriver recommends upgrade only front - thats cool

I have weakest set of brakes on my B3 [used to be 1.8 carb] - in front discs, in rear drums. And rear brakes are weak[and i'll not repair them, i'll change to discs, of course]. What happens when i'm breaking from, let's say 180 kmph to 90 kmph? If I will brake enough hard, i would crash

pimpdriver · 06-09-08, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msh

Just like in the case of ISV

Front brakes are for braking, rear ones for stabilizing

And pimpdriver recommends upgrade only front - thats cool

I have weakest set of brakes on my B3 [used to be 1.8 carb] - in front discs, in rear drums. And rear brakes are weak[and i'll not repair them, i'll change to discs, of course]. What happens when i'm breaking from, let's say 180 kmph to 90 kmph? If I will brake enough hard, i would crash

eh?

MikeNZ · 06-09-08, 11:22 PM

Actually, thinking about this, you already have 4x100. Wheels etc for this are a lot easier to find than 4x108. For example, Golf discs in 256mm are available. The main thing is mounting the calipers. There are sure to be aftermarket adapters aval to go from 239 to 256mm discs? This is a well-travelled route with the Mk2 Golf crowd. See www.mateymatey.com

IMHO it is not worth changing hubs etc to 4x108 simply for the sake of wheels you have. Especially if you decide to stay with drums on the back. It is better to get 14" wheels in 4x100 and put 256mm Golf discs on the front and remount your calipers.

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06-09-08, 01:51 PM	#2
MikeNZ Grown up member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 246	Hmmm, of the top of my head a later Coupe GT rear axle (is 4x108 IIRC) complete (has rear discs) is a straight swap. Plenty of BTDT from the US on this. The front axle - if you are going with 14" wheels you are restricted to the 256mm discs standard on the later B2 Coupes. Dunno if they are any bigger than what is on there now. To get 280mm discs you need 15" wheels and in that case you could do what 20vcqdriver did and put Corrado/Golf G60 discs (redrilled to 4x108) and early Type 89 struts with Corrado caliper brackets. Or get some other aftermarket setup maybe...

06-09-08, 02:28 PM	#3
Emjay Man Fettler Extraodinaire Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up my own arse blowing smoke Posts: 7,417	Thanks Mike current front discs are 239mm so upgrading to 256mm should be ok then. The rear axle swap is interesting if it comes with discs. That would certainly be a big improvement over the drum setup at the moment.

06-09-08, 02:35 PM	#4
MikeNZ Grown up member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 246	The 5-cyl 2226cc Coupe GT 1985-on definitely has discs at the rear. The 4 cyl ones I think kept drums. Edit: just found this, mentions a rear disc swap and other upgrades to a Coupe... http://mongrelmotorsports.homestead.com/Audi.html They refer to the "87.5" Coupe which was a late Coupe GT that had stuff the UK/Euro models got a couple of years earlier. The 4x 100/108 PCD issue is discussed here: http://www.igdc.com/ejfluhr/audi/Specs/84coupe.html Which says (referring to US models but should apply here) and I quote: "Anyway, some info based on ownership. I have had 2 1984 Coupe GT's and both have had the 2.2 litre engine. My first was purchased early in the year and my second was a late year model. The both have the 4 X 100 instead of the 108, which changed in 1985. When I bought my coupes there never was the option of the 2.1 liter engine, and my brochures don't show that option available. I believe I have the 093 ratio 5spd. Both of my coupes have the CIS-E injection. I believe that everything as far as engine and suspension is the same as your 1985 model."

06-09-08, 04:00 PM	#6
Emjay Man Fettler Extraodinaire Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up my own arse blowing smoke Posts: 7,417	cheers for the help guys. Figured I am just going to stick with the current drum/disc setup so what I need are 1 - replacement drums 200mm with 108x4 PDC. Currently have 4 x 108. So what can I get these off/from 2- Front hub assembly with 108x4 PDC, current is 100x4 same as above. I will be looking to replace discs, pads calipers etc. Essentially give the brake system a clean start. It doesn't look to bad. I also need to change the brake pressure regulator as that was an MOT advisory. Luckily I have that part new to hand

06-09-08, 06:14 PM	#7
Emjay Man Fettler Extraodinaire Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up my own arse blowing smoke Posts: 7,417	anyone any thoughts on hub adaptors?

06-09-08, 11:22 PM	#10
MikeNZ Grown up member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 246	Actually, thinking about this, you already have 4x100. Wheels etc for this are a lot easier to find than 4x108. For example, Golf discs in 256mm are available. The main thing is mounting the calipers. There are sure to be aftermarket adapters aval to go from 239 to 256mm discs? This is a well-travelled route with the Mk2 Golf crowd. See www.mateymatey.com IMHO it is not worth changing hubs etc to 4x108 simply for the sake of wheels you have. Especially if you decide to stay with drums on the back. It is better to get 14" wheels in 4x100 and put 256mm Golf discs on the front and remount your calipers.