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Old 03-25-2002, 05:57 PM   #1
Silky
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Default 2 questions: Are STI brakes worth it? And can the stock fronts go to the rear?

Curious... who has the STI front brake kit and what are you impressions? Are they are marked improvement over the stock front discs? Will they be adequate for near 300hp?

Also if I remove the stock fronts for the STI's can I move those stock fronts to the rear?

I tried doing a search and still am doing one but I haven't found anything yet. So your answers and input will be greatly appreciated
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Old 03-25-2002, 06:15 PM   #2
scubaracer
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1) Are you talking about 4-pots? if so, then IMO they are worth it.
2)no, the front brakes cannot go on the back.
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Old 03-25-2002, 06:41 PM   #3
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I believe they are the 4 pots. The package I was looking at consisted of the rotors and calipers along with lines fluid etc... pads..

And it cost around 800 bucks.

So you say they are worth it then...

What I am looking for basically is this. Something incredible for the street. Nothing over done though or purely race since I will never put myself in a situation to fully take advantage of (or even heat) that type of braking system.

Any other comments/opinions/suggestions?
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Old 03-25-2002, 06:42 PM   #4
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I have the STi 4pot kit on my RS for over 2 years now. I think it is well worth the money to get this upgrade. IIRC, the WRX front rotor is the same size as the GC8 STi 4pot..so you probably only need to upgrade the caliper to 4 piston caliper. i am not sure about the STi 4pot rotor size for the new age wrx.

one suggestion tho, change your dual stage brake master cylinder to single stage found in MY93-97. this upgrade will help eliminate the mushy brake feel on the stock setup. it will also improve overall performance once you upgrade to the 4pot setup.
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Old 03-25-2002, 07:07 PM   #5
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Yes, and no.

Meanwhile, hold off on that booster swap until you get some stainless lines on those 4-pot calipers. And actually, the STi brakes are big ol' Brembos. The ones you're referrring to (especially at that price) are the Subaru 4-pots. You only need the calipers $600), as another poster reported.

Some people have reported excessive sensitivity with the single-stage booster, stainless lines and 4-pots. The WRX pedal isn't anywhere near as mushy as the RS. The WRX pedal feels more like the Legacy GT.

Kevin
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Old 03-25-2002, 07:38 PM   #6
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no and no

the STi brakes are like 3-4k you can get similar performing brakes for far less... just if you're a JDM guy, then you gotta get what you gotta get, I understand.
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Old 03-25-2002, 11:50 PM   #7
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My opinion, the 4 pots are a expensive marginal improvement over stock wrx brakes. The stock brakes are not bad. The 4-pots are a little better, but not worth $800. If you want really better brakes go to the StopTech or Cobb 13" kit, for about twice the price. The rear brakes do little, and in general its not cost-effective to mess with them except maybe upgraded pads.
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Old 03-25-2002, 11:57 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sam2
My opinion, the 4 pots are a expensive marginal improvement over stock wrx brakes. The stock brakes are not bad. The 4-pots are a little better, but not worth $800. If you want really better brakes go to the StopTech or Cobb 13" kit, for about twice the price. The rear brakes do little, and in general its not cost-effective to mess with them except maybe upgraded pads.
Sam
I thought that too Sam, I was wrong. They work better, and at about $600, they're cheap. Put it like this...with the stock WRX brakes, with stainless lines and SuperBlue, I could just brake. With the 4-pots, I have to check the rear view mirror before I get on the hooks hard. The car slows down significantly better than it did. They just clamp. As I said in my initial post, I wanted to not feel a difference, but it's there, and measurable. Whether it's the more aggressive pad compound or the extra pistons, they work, and really well. They're a cheap mod for what you get, which is confidence.

Think of the mods you can get for $600 that will make a real difference: cat-back (nope), up-pipe or down pipe (by the time you get it installed, you're right around $600), and there are a few other things. But none make the difference of the 4-pots, especially for those of us who want to be able to run 16" wheels in winter.

Kevin
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Old 03-26-2002, 12:17 AM   #9
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Kevin (gtguy),

do you have the 4 pots on your car? If so, cool!

From a recent track day, the consensus was that the stock brakes pretty much suck for track sessions. The people who were running have VF30s and coil overs, and wheels/tires, so they certainly have potent cars and felt the brakes weren't up to snuff. They had metal master pads on.

The reason I ask about your having the 4-pots is that I'd also like to be able to run 16in wheels...

Thanks!
Mike
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Old 03-26-2002, 12:38 AM   #10
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there are no brake upgrades currently available that will allow you to run a 16" rim. I meant the 16" for the GDA.

Last edited by tifosi77; 03-26-2002 at 03:09 AM.
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Old 03-26-2002, 01:11 AM   #11
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The 4 pots will fit fine with a 98-01 RS wheel (16x7) not the '02 wheels though (16x6.5).

So yes there are brake upgrades currently available that will allow you to run a 16" rim
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Old 03-26-2002, 02:27 AM   #12
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okay, so i'm entering this thread a little ignorant... what four pot brake kit are we all talking about (the sti?)? and is it really $600? and what exactly does the kit come with, and who sells it?
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Old 03-26-2002, 05:57 AM   #13
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I think everyone is talking about the cast iron calipers that come on the British WRX and calling them STI brakes for some reason???
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Old 03-26-2002, 07:59 AM   #14
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If you are on the street and planning to eventually have 300HP, then I applaude you for looking at brakes first. I have the 4 pots on my RS and am very happy with them so far. I'm 1 1/2 weeks from my first track day this year with them, so will have better insight then. Mine are on an RS and the kit for the RS requires bigger (WRX) rotors, so the kit is $699 from Exeter Subaru.

For the WRX, you use the same rotors that you now have, so the kit is $580 from Exeter.

You should also realize that for some reason, which I don't understand, the RS comes with 7" wide 16" wheels that clear the 4 pots. The WRX comes with 6 1/2" 16" wheels that do NOT clear the 4 pots....so you need to buy new wheels as well.

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Old 03-26-2002, 09:18 AM   #15
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The Tire Rack solved my wheel dilemma, by having the Sport Edition Fox 5s on sale for $85 bucks per wheel. In 16x7 with a 50 offset, they're perfect for snow wheels, which is what I'm using them for. They also clear the 4-pots, no problem.

Now, the STi brake kit is a 300+mm rotored Brembo setup. This package will NOT fit under 16" wheels. The Subaru 4-pots will, however, but only if the wheel is 16x7, like the Fox 5s or the aforementioned RS wheels. I think the kit will even fit under some 15s, for you rally folks.

The kit in question is the caliper kit for the WRX, since the car comes stock with the appropriate rotors. It contains the 4-pot calipers, all shims and hardware, pads and if you buy from the right place (Exeter Subaru, for instance) includes the anti-rattle clips. Shipped to your door it's around $600.

People with non-WRXes need the entire kit, caliper setup and rotors. The 4-pots bolt right up to the WRX, by the way.

Kevin
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Old 03-26-2002, 10:56 AM   #16
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To relieve some of the confusion:

Before the New Age Impreza WRX STi, the front brakes on the various STi versions were the same 4-pots that were standard on UK Impreza Turbos (and JDM WRXs), including the 22B and P1. With the introduction of the new STi, it includes a serious Brembo brake package. But until this intro, the 4-pot brake kit was interchangably called 4-pots, STis, etc.
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Old 03-26-2002, 11:10 AM   #17
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Good info guys. Keep it coming. Front the sounds of things the up-rated caliper from the old version STI's is a marked improvement but could be considered only a marginally so...

well if just changing the calipers pads and brake lines using the stock rotors will work then hey, that'll work. This will not be a track car so most of the other packages that are 1700+ are not exactly what I need.

I guess I will have to almost piece together my own kit.

But again, keep your input coming as I still have a bit of time before I make the final descision.
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Old 03-26-2002, 12:38 PM   #18
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Silky,
I'm in the same situation myself. I will do a bit of track and auto-x, but don't want to spend 1500$++ for a brake setup. I have installed the Goodridge SS line and noticed a big improvement in the brake pedal feel. I suggest you do that first. I'm also about to install the MRT brake cylinder bracket when weather gets better.

After looking around, I think the best bang for the buck is the Subaru 4 Pots OEM (for lack of a better term). It will also work with our current rotors. The Exeter kit at 580$ is the cheapest I've seen. It also clears compomotive and revolution rally wheels in 15x7".

Good luck,

Matt
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Old 03-26-2002, 01:30 PM   #19
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I'm on of the guys that 2.0guy was talking about (Vf30, sti injectors, 270+ whp). Repeated stops from 130 to 35mph need serious brakes with these cars. I have SS brake lines, was running decent fluid, and after two good stops, it was all over. I was having to start my braking at 600 feet (!) in order to make the 90 degree turn at the end of the straightaway, and that included some serious engine braking.

Will the Subaru 4pots cut it? Or are the rotors overheating to the point that no matter how good of 4pot I get, with the stock sized WRX rotor, it just won't matter? Any recommendations on rotors?

I'm a rallyx guy too, and so I want a brake solution that will allow the use of those 15"/16" steel wheels. So, the 13" Wilwood looks like a great solution, but leaves me without a rallyx car

Any ideas would be appreciated...
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Old 03-26-2002, 01:58 PM   #20
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STi/Subaru 4pot w/ carbon kevlar pads, SS brakelines, single stage brake master cylinder, and brake master cylinder support bracket will do just fine for track and rallyx.. i think..

these are my current setup..

oh.. im also using Motul RBF 600 brake fluid.

this brake setup will clear MY98-01 16x7 RS wheels, but won't clear the 16x6.5 wrx wheels.

Last edited by RimRockaz; 03-26-2002 at 02:03 PM.
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Old 03-26-2002, 03:00 PM   #21
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Hmmm !
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Old 03-26-2002, 03:07 PM   #22
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Hmm? Ok, so I see the rally guys are NOT using the larger rotor.... so what do you guys use? Any special venting to cool the rotors more quickly?
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Old 03-26-2002, 03:22 PM   #23
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This two piece rotor will fit a 15 or 16" wheel with standard 4 pot callipers. They're designed for rally or track but can be used on the street.
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Old 03-26-2002, 03:39 PM   #24
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DarthChicken,
Oversize 25.4mm ( 1" ) thickness with wider pillar style ventilation system, Aircraft Aluminium mounting bell to reduce heat soak, rotor distortion, and overheating of wheel bearings. The lighter weight helps reduce problems regarding unsprung weight and load transfer through the front transmission. Air ducting is not used but all cover plates are removed. The rotors are also heat treated to reduce heat related fatigue ( Cracking ).

Quote:
Originally posted by DarthChicken
Hmm? Ok, so I see the rally guys are NOT using the larger rotor.... so what do you guys use? Any special venting to cool the rotors more quickly?
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Old 03-26-2002, 03:42 PM   #25
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Well now....

This is interesting... how much for a setup like that? And where could I buy it from?
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