If You Had A Grand For Brakes?

[spot2]

Hi there,

I am in urgent need of new brakes for my MY03 WRX. If you had £1000 to spend what would you get and where from?

My Impreza 'oracle' from Cairneyhill has suggested Compbrake and is investigating as we speak but I would be curious to hear alternative suggestions. I have 17" wheels so would be restricted to 330mm in size (clearance on Brembos and the like shouldn't be an issue as using 10mm hubcentric spacers on ET50 wheels). My intention for the rears is purely uprated pads and replacement discs. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance

Graham

P.s. It is a daily and only used for fastroad driving, car is running approx 290/290 and I have been reliably informed that I am heavy on the brakes.

P.P.s the hypothetical part was due to a study-invasion mid post by my 'better' half

Edited April 24, 2009 by spot2

[st3ph3n]

Try not being heavy on the brakes......

But seriously - have you considered the godspeed kit for spacing out the standard 4 pots to allow bigger discs? http://www.godspeedbrakes.co.uk/Subaru/subaru.htm

[craigdmcd]

A full set of secondhand Brembos from a STi can be had for that, then just a set of shoes from Godspeed to adapt the backs. This then gives you the chance to uprate discs and/or pads at a later date, and makes sourcing such items relatively easy.

My missus has this set-up on her 04 WRX, with DBA discs and bells on the front with DS2500 pads, it makes you look like Garfield stuck to the windscreen if you put your foot down hard on them.

Edited April 24, 2009 by craigdmcd

[spot2]

Try not being heavy on the brakes......

But seriously - have you considered the godspeed kit for spacing out the standard 4 pots to allow bigger discs? http://www.godspeedbrakes.co.uk/Subaru/subaru.htm

Thanks Stephen,

I will certainly give it a look,

.........as to being heavy on the brakes, I have no cartilage in my right knee resulting in a stabbing movement of my right pin (a smooth driving style it is not) rather than it being down to excessive speed or some vain attempt at late braking!

Edited April 24, 2009 by spot2

[scooby222]

think theres still group buys on snet for either ksport £900 ish or D2 £799 8 pot brake kits.

cant decide to go for that or a set of performance friction pads and discs myself-but sti brembos are a big improvement from 4 pots

[mystery machine]

I have no cartilage in my right knee resulting in a stabbing movement of my right pin

Ouch... any hopes for having that sorted?

I know someone who's about to go for a knee-replacement op (which, if I understand correctly, involves replacement of the cartilage).

[sparky_sj04]

Have a look here...

http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/shop/co...product=LIB0015

If I was you I think that's what i'd be going for. They seem to have a lot of cheap parts taken from brand new cars before they are turned into Type-20s etc. I don't know what is included in that price shown, but certainly looks like it could be a very good deal.

Cheers,

Mark

[st3ph3n]

Have a look here...

http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/shop/co...product=LIB0015

If I was you I think that's what i'd be going for. They seem to have a lot of cheap parts taken from brand new cars before they are turned into Type-20s etc. I don't know what is included in that price shown, but certainly looks like it could be a very good deal.

Cheers,

Mark

Wont fit a WRX as the PCD on the discs are different.

[craigdmcd]

Wont fit a WRX as the PCD on the discs are different.

But you could get the discs re-drilled by a machine shop with the correct PCD in between the original holes. They are damn good value at that money and have got to admit I would be heading down this route to start.

[RATechnology]

think theres still group buys on snet for either ksport £900 ish or D2 £799 8 pot brake kits.

cant decide to go for that or a set of performance friction pads and discs myself-but sti brembos are a big improvement from 4 pots

I would go with the Performance Friction disc and pad option. Floating Front Disc's and fast road track pads.. Not the cheapest sure but work very well with the Brembo's.. There good enough for AndyF's car and a host of other race and rally teams...

[scoobymark]

for a grand k sport would be my option

[Shelly_Scooby]

I second Scoobymark K sport that's my next venue!

[jimser]

speak to alyn at as performance 0191 4103770,no need to change your calipers at that level of power i wouldn't imagine

Edited April 24, 2009 by jimser

[craigdmcd]

speak to alyn at as performance 0191 4103770,no need to change your calipers at that level of power i wouldn't imagine

Ah, but Jimser, you of all people should know, that fitting all that is required to reach a level is no fun at all, exceeding the level is far more satisfying and expensive.

[sparky_sj04]

Wont fit a WRX as the PCD on the discs are different.

Yes they will... Read it.

"The brakes are a direct fit for all 114.3 P.C.D MY05+ STI models and can be made to fit on earlier cars is the brackets and Discs are machined for the smaller P.C.D."

Looks like a bargain to me.

[frank c]

I would go with the Performance Friction disc and pad option. Floating Front Disc's and fast road track pads.. Not the cheapest sure but work very well with the Brembo's.. There good enough for AndyF's car and a host of other race and rally teams...

Brembo's and PF Discs/Pads every time for me...

[Maxxed_Ross]

I can't shout about Brembos enough, amazing power for the price

And they look good too

[ANDYJDMSTI]

Brembos for me too.

[spot2]

Magic response..........thanks all

I phoned Litchfield and they advised that they had one set of the STI callipers left. I said that as I wasn't overly keen on redrilling the discs (Incidently the chap I spoke to agreed that he wouldn't do it either!) would I be able to use the callipers with other aftermarket discs ie the performance friction discs or the like. The gent didn't think this would be possible..................he is the expert and he defo seemed to know his onions but does anyone have any idea what problems this would pose? I figured that the calliper wouldn't mind what PCD disc it clamped itself too as long as it was the same width.

Any and all responses welcomed (even if it is just to shoot me down in flames and call me a fud!)

Cheers

Graham

P.S. Thanks Mystery for the concern but it I have 'waddled' on the badboy as it is for 14 years and outwith driving (and even then its uncomfortable rather than painful) it doesn't really bother me too much however if Messrs Smith/McCoist were to give me the call...................

[craigdmcd]

Now, I'm no expert on the latest stuff but aren't the Brembos on the latest STi the same as those on a Hawkeye STi - if so, then the calipers will definately fit, and am sure a set of uprated discs will be no problem - in fact - just had a brainstorm and checked the DBA disc website and it lists exactly the same upgrade disc on a MY05 STi to a MY08STi, so then the disc on a MY03/04 STi will fit it. The only possible problem is the mounting holes, but I very much doubt that Subaru have changed the distance on these. I would be back on to Litchfields and buy that last set pretty pronto.