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Old 04-12-2014, 09:02 AM   #1
subbus
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Default Impreza brake kit recommendation? (non-WRX/STI)

Hi, I would like to reduce emergency stopping distance for 2014 base Impreza (non-WRX/STI) with 15" OEM wheels.

Would it be possible with the stock wheels and tires?

Which brake kits would you recommend?

Last edited by subbus; 04-12-2014 at 12:32 PM.
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Old 04-12-2014, 11:17 AM   #2
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From what I understand, and I'm trying to learn this myself. Is if you're looking to go bigger, it's a pretty involved process and can get pricey, as everything has to be replaced. I don't see much for kits out there. I have read here in a couple threads that there is a big difference (at least in pedal feel don't know about stopping distance) when you put on the Grimmspeed master cylinder brace... so I'm going to investigate this. But I'm also trying to find out if anyone makes SS lines for our cars.

I was hoping to do slightly bigger rotors on my car since my 18" wheels make the brakes look pretty tiny. But I guess the best I can do is just paint the calipers black so they don't look rusty and deal with it. Maybe do drilled/slotted rotors if I really want the look but they don't do a lot for performance as far as just in town driving is concerned.
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Old 04-12-2014, 12:31 PM   #3
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Yes, I would like to go bigger and better. But the wheels are 15" so there would be a limit how bigger I can go. It would be nice if someone can provide some thoughts here.
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Old 04-12-2014, 01:29 PM   #4
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The general consensus in the thread I read a while back about someone asking about bigger brakes is that they will do very little to improve your stopping distance. But hopefully someone can shed better insight than me. I want to learn whats available too.
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Old 04-12-2014, 04:00 PM   #5
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I think it is critical for the upgraded calipers to have pistons with the same diameters as the OEM system has. Good reading is here:

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-su...rade-selection
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Old 04-14-2014, 06:04 AM   #6
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If the base model is anything like the sport limited then you probably already have a decent set-up. My 2012 sport limited has dual-piston calipers up front and single-piston calipers in the rear. I have yet to have an issue with stopping distance. If you are having an issue with stopping distance I'd personally take a look at some different tires. The OEM tires are horrible in pretty much all conditions and are not helping your stopping distance by any means. Another option you have is to get some brake pads that have a bit more bite. You will sacrifice rotor/pad life (I still have more than 50% remaining after 64K miles.) but that initial bite may be what you are looking for.
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Old 04-14-2014, 02:27 PM   #7
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Well, the best thing to improve stopping distance is your TIRES!!! A lot of people think that getting bigger brakes will help you stop faster/shorter. But, the stock brakes already over power your stock tires. If you can brake hard and cause the ABS to kick in, then you need to upgrade to a stickier tire. After you upgrade your tires, then you move onto the brake pad. If that still isn't short enough, then you move to bigger brake disk and pads. And then bigger calibers. And if you are doing race prep car, fluid and stainless steel lines. And if that is still not short enough, buy a different car.
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Old 04-14-2014, 04:01 PM   #8
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^^^ All good and true information, however a larger discontinued Dodge hatchback will not help you stop quicker.

they're called caliPers, not caliBers
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Old 04-14-2014, 08:50 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lumpy View Post
^^^ All good and true information, however a larger discontinued Dodge hatchback will not help you stop quicker.

they're called caliPers, not caliBers
HAHAHAHA!!!! oops. Well, I am quite certain the Crosstrek/forester stock brake kit would fit if someone is looking for a cheap big brake kit. I am 90% positive the new 2015 WRX brakes would fit.
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Old 04-14-2014, 05:46 PM   #10
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Anyone have any recommendation on good performance pads? And what on earth can help firm up the pedal? I hate how mine is after just 21k, but it wasn't great new either. I hear Subaru's in general are notorious for squishy brake pedals.
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Old 04-14-2014, 08:15 PM   #11
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For a good, streetable performance pad on a daily driver I always liked Carbotechs. They are quiet, easy on rotors and do not make much dust. Not particularly cheap though.

For a squishy brake pedal, I would bleed the system before you throw any additional money at it. Cylinder braces and stainless lines help, but neither one is a silver bullet.

My two cents...
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Old 04-14-2014, 08:26 PM   #12
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both of those items are on my list. When the time comes for new pads I'll do good ones, maybe new rotors. I want something good that wont look like **** behind the 18's on my car. But mostly I want better brake pedal feel. I haven't been able to find SS lines for the new Imprezas yet though. Looked everywhere, if you know if any are made currently please share!
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Old 04-14-2014, 09:27 PM   #13
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Sorry, ans2k I couldn't resist!

I still need to dive into some of the parts diagrams, but I bet that the Crosstrek and our cars have the same calipers and that we could run the bigger rotors with a simple bracket change. That would be a nice, inexpensive upgrade.

It will be really interesting to see how much of the new 2015 WRX stuff will swap over. That could open up a ton of upgrade possibilities.
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Old 04-14-2014, 10:15 PM   #14
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Brembo
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Old 04-15-2014, 08:34 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ans2k View Post

HAHAHAHA!!!! oops. Well, I am quite certain the Crosstrek/forester stock brake kit would fit if someone is looking for a cheap big brake kit. I am 90% positive the new 2015 WRX brakes would fit.
The Forester / XV will, but you will need 16" wheels or above.
The new WRX will not, the rotors on the new WRX are for 5x114, not 5x100.

That being said.
1. Tires, biggest improvement
2. Pads, stop tech pads are decent and available on Tire rack
3. Fluid, do a flush with a decent DOT 4, non race or track spec fluid to improve pedal feel
4. SS lines are pointless on a street car, but if you want to piss away your $200, lines for the 08-14 WRX fit.

Now stop making the same thread that has been posted 5 times since March.
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Old 04-15-2014, 10:32 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrysImpreza View Post
The Forester / XV will, but you will need 16" wheels or above.
The new WRX will not, the rotors on the new WRX are for 5x114, not 5x100.

That being said.
1. Tires, biggest improvement
2. Pads, stop tech pads are decent and available on Tire rack
3. Fluid, do a flush with a decent DOT 4, non race or track spec fluid to improve pedal feel
4. SS lines are pointless on a street car, but if you want to piss away your $200, lines for the 08-14 WRX fit.

Now stop making the same thread that has been posted 5 times since March.
Thanks for the info. I looked up the SS lines, they're only about $110, at least on RallySportDirect. But if they wont do anything to improve pedal feel for just street driving I'll skip them. I do have performance tires on my 18" wheels for the summer, and my stock wheels are the 17" which I use with snows in the winter. So maybe I'll look into those bigger brakes from the XV down the road, if only to look better as stock rotors behind 18" wheels look microscopic.
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Old 04-15-2014, 09:27 AM   #17
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BrysImpreza you've clearly done some research, is the Forester/XV caliper completely different or just the caliper bracket allowing for the larger rotor?

I'm talking like the old WRX caliper bracket swap to a GC or an H6 rear bracket swap. I would imagine that the caliper itself is the same for manufacturing cost savings and just the bracket and rotor on the Forester/XV is larger.
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Old 04-15-2014, 09:37 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lumpy View Post
BrysImpreza you've clearly done some research, is the Forester/XV caliper completely different or just the caliper bracket allowing for the larger rotor?

I'm talking like the old WRX caliper bracket swap to a GC or an H6 rear bracket swap. I would imagine that the caliper itself is the same for manufacturing cost savings and just the bracket and rotor on the Forester/XV is larger.
It is a larger caliper, with a different pad from the Impreza. The entire assembly will bolt right on, but you will have to go up a size in wheels, normal 15" steel wheels will no longer fit. Only rare, and expensive 15" rally wheels will fit (Team Dynamics, Slipstream, Buddy Club, Sparco, OZ).

It's the same idea as the older WRX or H6 swap, just more complete.

Leave the new WRX out, mixing to find the right rotor is going to be difficult.
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Old 04-15-2014, 09:46 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrysImpreza View Post
It is a larger caliper, with a different pad from the Impreza. The entire assembly will bolt right on, but you will have to go up a size in wheels, normal 15" steel wheels will no longer fit. Only rare, and expensive 15" rally wheels will fit (Team Dynamics, Slipstream, Buddy Club, Sparco, OZ).

It's the same idea as the older WRX or H6 swap, just more complete.

Leave the new WRX out, mixing to find the right rotor is going to be difficult.

Interesting, thanks for the info. I was hoping for the simple (read inexpensive) bracket-only swap.

I just can't justify going crazy upgrading the brakes on this type of car. It is obviously not a race car or even close to it. Big brakes are for show on a street car and I agree that stainless lines are a waste.

All that said, it would have been nice to have a little more rotor surface area for my traffic-laden highway commute. Looks like just a pad upgrade for me.
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Old 04-15-2014, 09:53 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lumpy View Post

Interesting, thanks for the info. I was hoping for the simple (read inexpensive) bracket-only swap.

I just can't justify going crazy upgrading the brakes on this type of car. It is obviously not a race car or even close to it. Big brakes are for show on a street car and I agree that stainless lines are a waste.

All that said, it would have been nice to have a little more rotor surface area for my traffic-laden highway commute. Looks like just a pad upgrade for me.
I can't confirm if a bracket alone will work, but a superficial look between my 12 and my father in laws 14 Forester look like the caliper is larger.
Going on different pad types, gives me more evidence to support that assertion.
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Old 04-15-2014, 10:12 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrysImpreza View Post
I can't confirm if a bracket alone will work, but a superficial look between my 12 and my father in laws 14 Forester look like the caliper is larger.
Going on different pad types, gives me more evidence to support that assertion.

TireRack does not have any info up yet on Crosstreks and new Foresters, but a quick look at StopTech's website and they all share the same part number for the front pads - 2012 Impreza, 2013 XV and 2014 Forester. This might mean that they all actually have the same caliper. Time to pull up some OEM part numbers, I think.

Hmm...
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Old 04-16-2014, 11:26 AM   #22
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Does anyone know if the impreza share the same brake lines as the crosstrek?
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Old 04-16-2014, 12:01 PM   #23
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Quote:
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Does anyone know if the impreza share the same brake lines as the crosstrek?
I want to say no, because it would have to be longer. but not certain.
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Old 04-16-2014, 12:03 PM   #24
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^ your right i just checked Centric brakes, they are different part#
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