mr_alkan

Hi all.

I’m getting Foz remapped on Thursday to the ‘new’ wrx ecu, deCat and td04 that’s going on but as the brakes are poor now, stopping afterwards is going to need planning ahead!

So, can anyone please suggest a typical upgrade to my brakes would be please. I have 99/00 turbo S.

Options. Can I just get away with decent pads and change of fluid or is it discs too? Just front? Do you use rear brakes when braking too?
Or, would it be best to get some 4 pots from a wrx? From what year? I have a great local Subaru forum that would hopefully sort me out.

Many many thanks.

Steven

The Rookie

Hmmm a JDM WRX ECU has been tried and found not to work on S-turbo's before.....

3 easy brake options
1/ Fit the larger discs and caliper carriers (same caliper) from a newage Impreza 2.0 GS
2/ Four pots from a late classic Impreza which means 17" wheels or 16" Impreza wheels as well.
3/ Just fit better pads (I used EBC red stuff and was very happy, but you need an M/C stopper as well or they feel wooden)

__________________
98 s-turbo now breaking for spares , now driving a BMW 320D M-sport

mr_alkan

Thread Starter

..or don't be saying that Rookie! ..the missus is already going mad about the noice from the deCat!

Apparently Andy Forrest uk mapper has mapped my classic Foresters before.. its a uk wrx ecu - he asked for the serial numbers to check.. WI, 22611 AG050, A18-000 DIK 9816. OK apparently. I think he applied a Jap map to it but I might be wrong there..

As for the brake suggestions, many thanks.. I'll do it in 3, 1, 2 order, decent pads first and go from there..

Whats a 'M/C stopper'..?

many thanks..

S

Mark CSC

A few links and things

Brake stopper
CDF Racing Suppliers of Whiteline bailey manley wiseco samco powerflex performance fricton
Prevents the master cylinder moving around and gives a more consistent feel

For pads I really rate the Godspeed Kevlar pads and discs.
Godspeed Brakes - Godspeed Brakes

Changing the fluid will have a massive benefit if it hasn't been done for a while. This would be the first thing I'd do. Then follow Rookies' suggestions.

__________________
97 JDM S/tb with a proper gearbox ;)

joey_turbo

I'd go straight with the 4 pot set up. Its the most expensive out of all the options, but will be a HUGE improvement over your current setup. But then again, if you do spend say 100 quid on decent pads, then another 100 odd for the Newage GS setup, then you are allready in, or close to 4 pot money (excluding the wheels).

The Rookie

The 4 pot only gives a "HUGE improvement" due to the size of the disc (same as the above mentioned 2.0 GS disc.....), it actually gives slightly worse braking for the same pedal pressure as the piston area is bigger than the stock 2 pots.

We did a group buy on the stoppers via scabbynet a while back on here (like 4 years or so) under fairly normal heavy braking (using my 9 stone wife as test subject) the front bulkhead allows the master cylinder to move by over 1/4" which ruins pedal feel, some pics were posted at the time.
EDIT Brake stopper

__________________
98 s-turbo now breaking for spares , now driving a BMW 320D M-sport

Mark CSC

Just to add that the Legacy GTB also uses the bigger discs with the two pot calipers

__________________
97 JDM S/tb with a proper gearbox ;)

joey_turbo

Well I'll find out for sure soon, as I've got 4 pots due to go on. But I remember when I had 4 pots on the impreza, it didn't feel any where near as bad as my MY00 Foz does now, both without the MC stopper.

The Rookie

GRRRRR.....you had the bigger discs, that is what gives the improvement, not the 4 pot callipers.....all explained above!

__________________
98 s-turbo now breaking for spares , now driving a BMW 320D M-sport

Gigsy

^ Agreed. People focus too much on the number of pistons in the calipers rather than the size of the disc / pad.

Would stock SG 2 pots and discs fit under stock wheels? These have the same sized discs (294mm) as the WRX 4 pots and would be an improvement over the stock (270mm?) discs. 2 pots for 294mm discs are cheap as chips on eBay.

The 3.0R Legacys also have 316mm(?) front discs and 2 pot calipers so these might be another (if rare) option assuming they'd fit.

Also, braided hoses will help with feel as well - whilst they won't increase the brake performance per se, like the brake stopper, they will prevent pressure on the brake pedal from being used to expand brake hoses / move the bulkhead rather than pushing the pads on to the discs.

On the subject of brake stoppers, Tegiwa stoppers are available via eBay and are decent quality but cheaper than the CDF ones.

__________________
Was MY03 FXT (262bhp) MY03 WRX (271bhp)
Now MY05 MCS, Z3 2.8, X3 3.0d, Vespa ET4 & BMW F700GS

mr_alkan

Thread Starter

..lovin' all your comments people many many thanks (sounding like Commandant Lassard there)..

So.

1. replace brake fluid and get new decent pads (£15 & £60).
2. M/C brake stopper (£40).
<><> depending on condition <><> new LARGER [Mintex] discs (from a newage Impreza 2.0 GS) £50.
Labour:- £50.

..this is all just front right? Stock back discs & pads do?

S

Mark CSC

Nope labour = £0
It is really easy to change the brakes pads and discs on the front, slightly harder on the rear, but if my brother, a total DIY phobic, can do it so can you.

__________________
97 JDM S/tb with a proper gearbox ;)

joey_turbo

OK you both got me on the bigger disc thing.
But the most important thing about the 4 pots is: They look much better!

Mark CSC

Could always go 8 pot

__________________
97 JDM S/tb with a proper gearbox ;)

mr_alkan

Thread Starter

..I don't even know what a 'pot' is.
I ask.
I buy.
I get stuck on.
I go fast.

thanks again all..

S