I've heard lots of criticism of these rotors being heavy and not holding up well in track conditions. Comments?

In reference to a brake kit which uses 993 Twin Turbo calipers, one of the Big Red dealers warns: "These are NOT Boxter or Boxter S calipers like other inferior kits offer." What's the deal?

I would like to use the red boxster calipers if possible, I understand that they are $50 more (each)...

Please review the Designs Page.

Q: Explain the differences between various "Systems" available

Please review the Designs Page.

Q; What's the total cost?

The most recent member feedback shows that the System 1 setup can be installed for about $1100 complete, including the membership, brackets, all factory parts, and stainless steel brake lines.

System 2 costs a little bit more. The Porsche and Audi parts cost about $150 more and the brackets will be about $100 more until we get sufficient production volume to bring the price down. In addition, a minor amount of machine work is required on the Carrera calipers to accommodate the larger S4tt rotors, which will cost about $100 on average.

All designs offer slotted rotors and aftermarket pads at additional expense; for our favorite aftermarket brake pads plan on an additional $60, and for slotted rotors plan on an additional $70. On System 2 only, if red calipers are preferred the calipers from the Boxster S can be substituted; they cost about more $50 each.

Contact us for a more detailed costs when you're ready.

Q: Why System 1? Why System 2, 3, 4, or higher?

It depends upon your wheels and tires. If you have, or are willing to purchase 17" wheels of sufficient offset for System 2, then that's the setup for you. However, if you prefer 16" wheels, System 1 is your choice. There is no way that System 2 will fit under a 16" wheel.

Q: Do you sell everything as a kit? Do you install them?

No. BIRA supplies members with the brackets only; all other parts must be obtained by each member individually.

However, as a member you will have access to our Members Only area of the web site, which will give you access to a full parts list, including parts numbers and retail prices. We also have worked with a few dealers to offer discounts to BIRA members for all the parts you need, as well as deals with aftermarket suppliers for items such as pads, rotors, and brake lines.

All installation is the responsibility of each member, but the Members Only area includes complete documentation of the installation procedures. If you're handy with basic mechanic work and can bleed your own brakes, you should be able to install these parts in a couple of hours.

For complete kits (one-stop shopping) and no membership requirement contact Autobraun Distributors Inc. at http://www.autobraun.com; they are a BIRA-approved retailer. We also encourage all Autobraun customers to join BIRA for support.

Q: What other parts are required in addition to the BIRA bracket?

• 2 Porsche brake calipers

• 1 set of Porsche front brake pads (or equivalent)

• 2 Audi brake rotors

• 4 Audi calipers bolts

• 4 Porsche caliper bolts

• 1 set of stainless steel brake lines

• One liter of brake fluid

Optional Items:

• 2 Porsche brake wear indicators

• Speedbleeders (http://www.speedbleeder.com)

All the part numbers, suppliers, and prices are in the Members Only area.

Q: Will my current stainless steel lines work with your system?

Possibly, but unlikely. For your stainless steel brakes lines to work on a BIRA setup, they must have a male fitting on the caliper end and should be of sufficient length (determined by model of car). If your lines go directly into the caliper and not into a smaller steel brake line, then they will possibly work. Contact us for details.

Q: What's the availability of the brackets?

We do not usually inventory brackets, we fabricate them on demand. Lead time for built-to-order parts is typically 4-6 weeks after receipt of the deposit.

Q: What about my ABS and EDL systems?

Both will continue to function as before.

Q: How do I know if my wheels will work?

Check out our Wheel Fitment Page. If your wheel is listed there, we've tested it. If it's not, we haven't, and there's no way we can tell you if it will fit.

Q: Do I have to be a BIRA member to obtain the brackets?

Yes. BIRA only releases these items to BIRA members, unless you buy a complete kit from Autobraun Distributors, http://www.autobraun.com.

Q: What's the story with this "Association" and the "Membership Agreement"?

Our brake designs were originally developed for personal use of a small numbers of folk involved in the idea. The word got out about what we were doing and  others expressed interest. Because of the litigation potential, we decided not to provide them to others.

However, a quattro-driving attorney who hates to see Yankee ingenuity quashed eventually got involved and after much discussion, we created BIRA and the Membership Agreement. In short, BIRA does not place its brackets in the stream of commerce, but only provides them to its members. All BIRA members have expressly agreed not to sue one another or the bracket designer; they have expressly and knowingly assumed any risk associated with the brackets; and they have agreed not to steal the bracket designs.

If you want to join and improve your brakes, we're happy to help. If you don't think that the Membership and Agreement is for you, we understand and that's OK too. This is a hobby, not a business. We're not making money, but we are having fun. We're sorry we had to take the Association/Membership Agreement route, but given the circumstances, it's the best solution we could come up with.

Q: What do I do next?

Join BIRA. Go to the Membership Information Page and download the Agreement. Once we receive both the signed Agreement and your $20, one-time, non-refundable membership fee we will give you access to our Members Only Area and to our closed mailing list.

After your membership is confirmed, contact our distributor (the same folks you sent the Agreement to) and order the brackets for your car.

It's that easy!

Q: What's this I hear about rotors warping on the A8?

We believe that the rotor warping on the stock US-spec A8 is due to its floating 2-piston calipers. We believe this system cannot evenly distribute its braking force on both sides of the rotor; that the dissimilar mass causes uneven heating, and thus warping.

BIRA's System 1 uses the same US-spec A8 rotors, but we also use Porsche's 4-piston Boxster monobloc aluminum calipers. System 1 first hit the road in the Spring of '99 and since then it has been road-tested on the 200, S4, S6, A6, V8, and track tested at Portland, Lime Rock, and Watkins Glen.

One member observed brake pedal pulsing on a single occasion - a 1995 A6 5-speed at Lime Rock in bitter cold conditions. The problem may have been caused by the stock Boxster brake pads he was using, which were not designed for track use on a 4000-pound car (this is the only time stock Porsche brake pads have been used on the BIRA system in track conditions). In fact, our investigations suggest that it was not rotor warping but significant brake pad material transfer onto the rotor surface from the stock pads as they broke down and glazed onto the rotor surface unevenly.

During 2000 that member changed to Porterfield race-compound brake pads, and the issue has disappeared. He is completely satisfied.

Wholesale A8 warpage on the BIRA system? Not at all. And anyone who tells you otherwise is seriously misinformed.

Q. In reference to a brake kit which uses 993 Twin Turbo calipers, one of the Big Red dealers warns: "These are NOT Boxter [sic] or Boxter [sic] S calipers like other inferior kits offer." What's the deal?

As stated else where on our site, Porsche no longer uses "through-bolt" calipers such as the 993tt ("through-bolt calipers are manufactured in two halves and then bolted together). In 1997, Porsche began phasing out its "through-bolt" calipers in favor of its new, race-proven, monobloc design.

According to Porsche (not us, Porsche) "the light weight and enhanced stiffness of this patented Porsche design, delivers quicker, more consistent pedal response. . . The big advantage is supreme resistance to fading even under extreme conditions. . . Compared with the conventional two-piece design, the monobloc system requires less space, offers greater rigidity, helps reduce weight, and it offers greater benefits in terms of heat dissipation and overall reliability."

All of BIRA's braking systems utilize Porsche's monobloc calipers (Boxster; Boxster S/996, and 996tt) not the older two-piece designs (e.g. 993tt). You can decide for yourself which design is superior and which is inferior.

No. Porsche has replaced its "Big Red" calipers with its patented monobloc calipers, throughout its entire consumer and racing product line. We design our braking systems solely around Porsche's new monobloc caliper technology as opposed to its older through-bolt caliper technology.

The 993 calipers are one-generation-old Porsche technology. The 993 calipers were made in two halves and then bolted together. They are heavier and they tend to flex. We designed our systems around Porsche's latest and greatest monobloc calipers. Each monobloc caliper is made from one block of aluminum (hence, the term "monobloc") and they are lighter and stiffer. We happened to be designing a year or so after the monoblocs came out. We figured if Porsche and Brembo co-invested millions of dollars in this new design and Porsche was changing all of its braking systems to the monobloc design it was not for us to question why.

Truth be told, there are lots of 993 based big brake upgrades out there. You might be able to find someone who will sell you the rest of the parts that you need to work with those calipers. In the alternative, go with the latest and greatest!

Of course, then you have to wonder why you got them at such a killer price...

I would like to use the red Boxster calipers if possible, I understand that they are $50 more (each) but am unclear if they are a option to use for my car.

The regular Boxster calipers are black and are used in BIRA System 1, which requires 16" wheels. The Boxster "S" calipers are red and are the same as the 996 Carrera, which is used in System 2 (and requires 17" wheels and a lot of offset.)

You can always paint the calipers, if you like, as BIRA member Chris Hlubb has done (Chris Hlubb's A4 with BIRA System 1, and a few neat owner "options"!)