Audi S8 performance parts. JHM LW Rotors

A8 All/ S8 All
#1

Audi S8 performance parts take 3 JHM’s lightweight performance rotors.

GIVE ME A BRAKE… Next phase in the performance journey, was to replace my squeaking worn out brakes.

There are several options when it comes to just replacing the OEM rotors. For me, I’ve seen lots of guys go the cheap option and you get what you pay for. Cheap rotors tend to use cheap material that wears out quicker and doesn’t seem to offset the cost in the long run.

For me, I really want to bring out the supercar in my super car. So, the search for performance rotors started and as usual as most of you know there was nothing. So, I called the guys at JHM and asked what they could do. They have performance rotors for just about every other platform why not us. The S8 and S6 front rotors are the same on our cars so its like one big market.

I wanted a lighter more performance oriented rotor that would help drop some rotational weight while pulling out the heat and helping with pad life. Heck, if the Lambo gets performance rotors, that dissipate heat and weigh less, why don’t we right?

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/254154009.jpg

BOOM I saved 30lbs of not just weight but rotational weight. That’s a 15lb weight reduction EACH SIDE, while adding a huge drop in breaking temps. That’s more than some light weight rims offer and at a fraction of the cost of lightweight rims.

The added great part is way-way down the line when it comes time to replace the rotors again, you just need to order the rings. Ording the rings will save you quite a bit of money. The rotors cost a bit more due to being two piece and being that their performance rotors. Being two piece has several advantages if you really want to track the S6 you can just get an extra set of rings for the track like lots of the road race guys like to do.

I’m not a huge cosmetic guy but even these OEM rotors look underwhelming.

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/759630630.jpg

The other thing l didn’t like about the stock rotors was the fact that the rotor was just a little bigger than the pad surface needed to be. So, this resulted in my rotor having a huge lip on it from where the pads had worn away the material. It made getting the heavy OEM rotors out quite a chore.

Now putting on the JHM rotors. Very easy a straight forward job. The addition of the slotted feature that comes with the JHM rotors is not just great to help in braking performance, but I think it looks nice as well.

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/650999356.jpg

To me, it’s hard to beat adding performance while doing maintenance. Nothing is real exciting about doing a brake job, except when you know you’re dropping weight, adding performance and helping make things look just a little better at the same time. It’s a win win win.

#2

This week we drop another 10lbs off the rolling weight of the car with the JHM rear rotors and I walk quickly through what you’re going to need to do with vag com to be able to get the rear breaks off.

Yes, you read that right. You can’t do rear breaks on these cars without the help of the computer. So, when you’re doing brakes keep that in mind. You’re in good hands here though, I post at the bottom on what you’re going to have to do to open the rear brakes.

Now on to the thread.

I did the front brakes and dropped over 30lbs between the two of them. Each side I was able to drop 15lbs with the JHM LW rotors.

With that big impact, I thought it would be time to drop a little weight from the rear rotors. Again using the JHM rear rotors.

These not only look great but they function better than the OEM units and they weigh 5lbs less each.

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/895438008.jpg

With the JHM rear rotors, you’re knocking off another 5lbs a side. For rear rotors, that’s a lot of weight. You normally don’t see that kind of weight reduction in rear rotors. The front brakes do the majority of the work so the rear brakes don’t need to be as big. Still, it’s a good area to shave weight when you can.

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/510273698.jpg

With all this weight savings I actually saved a ton of money. Usually to get these kinds of weight savings you have to get light weight rims. Since the S8 comes with 20" rims stock. It’s kinda hard to find nice light weight 20" sport rims.

Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered how much the OEM S8 rims and tires weigh.

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/242843170.jpg

That’s a lot of weight for rims and tires.

Now for the technical part of the post. Most of you might not know but you can’t just jump onto the rear rotors like you can the fronts. The rear rotors with the electronic parking break require the use of a computer to unlock and open the rear brake caliper.

If you’re a DIY’er 90% of the brake job is going to be the same the rear brakes come off easy without much fuss but when you need to open the caliper you’re going to need a computer. If you have a vag com I’ll show you what you have to do.

EASY STEP 1

Open vag com and select the “SELECT Control Module” option

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/749729030.jpg

STEP 2

Select option #53 - Parking Brake

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/665717865.jpg

STEP 3

With the Parking Brake controller open click on the - 04 Basic Settings

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/853060578.jpg

STEP 4

In Basic Settings open the drop down menu and click on Open Rear Parking Brake

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/860157509.jpg

STEP 5

You might have to still help open the piston manually. Clicking on Open Rear Parking Brake doesn’t necessarily open the piston all the way. You might have to open it to the specific spot you need to place on the pads. Now is when you would push back the piston on the caliper as far as you need and put in the pads. After the pads are on and the caliper is back on and in its place. You’re ready for the next step

STEP 6

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/37200469.jpg

That will get you all set. Some people like to do the Parking Brake Function test. I never found a need for it. That’s there if you have an issue and you’re checking the function of the system.

This walkthrough works for most cars with rear parking brake systems.

Now with all the weight lost from the JHM Rotors, you’re car will be transformed into a lighter fighter. All in all, it’s a mod worth doing. The rear rotors don’t get changed that often so this mod should last you years and years and years before you’re going to even need to think about replcement of the rings.