The next logical step in the build would be to upgrade the factory braking system. For this we worked with our partner, Volkswagen Racing UK, to source the VWR Performance 6-Piston, 352 mm x 32 mm 2 Piece Brake System. After months of testing on max, APR vehicles in the UK, and on our vehicles here in the US, we were pleased to finally release the finished product. You can see it here:
http://www.goapr.com/products/brakes_vwr_vag_a5.html
APR is the title sponsor of the Volkswagen Racing Cup, which is a racing series run by Volkswagen Racing UK. Through the program, many different high end products have made their way from the track to the street and this braking system is one fine example.
If you’ve ever driven around a track, you’ll know after just 1 or 2 laps, the brakes begin to fade. Even if you’ve never hit the track, if you’ve driven spiritedly on back roads, you’ll experience fade. Fade feels like the brakes simply don’t want to stop the vehicle. VWR setout to cure this issue the best they could by using off the shelf components found in many brake kits on the market today. The problems they encountered were the parts simply were not up to the test in all the areas they needed. So, they developed their own with OEM and racing brake manufacture Caparo AP, just 45 miles up the M1 from VWR.
The VWR brake caliper is a 6-piston design that’s properly sized for your factory brake system. This means it has tons of clamping force, yet when you drive around town and tap the brakes, you don’t go flying through the windshield. You can hand your keys over to another driver unfamiliar to your vehicle, and they’ll probably believe the system is stock, that is until you really need to stop quickly.
For the BFG MaxR we chose the black calipers, however they come in red or blue as well.
The VWR brake kit includes a set of street and light track worthy pads, but since the system is designed to take non proprietary pads, they can be swapped out to any compound you may choose. For the MaxR, we drive around on the VWR pads with Motul DOT 5.1 brake fluid, but when we hit the track, we install track pads and fill up with Motul Racing RBF 660. The pads come out with ease and are easily swappable at the track without removing the caliper.
The brake rotors are a 2-piece 352mm x 32mm ventilated and slotted design that’s resistant to fade with plenty of surface area. They are lightweight and feature an aluminum hat that can be swapped off to another set of rotors when replacements are needed down the road.
One of the unique features of the hat is the use of an interlocking hub spacer. This allows the MaxR to switch from street wheels to track wheels without running traditional spacers to clear the calipers. The spacers simply lock into place to reduce vibration typically associated with running wheel spacers.
Lastly the brake lines are upgraded from the standard rubber lines to stainless steel braded lines. Since they can’t expand under pressure, the braided lines get rid of the soft and spongy pedal feel. These feel firm and responsive in comparison.
The system consistently stops shorter than the stock brake system, and at an added benefit, the entire system comes in several pounds lighter per side. The entire package translates into better stopping power, better handling, and faster acceleration.
For all the details, visit the VWR Brake page on the GOAPR.com website:
http://www.goapr.com/products/brakes_vwr_vag_a5.html
