[Sheffieldblue]

I am going to be changing the discs and pads on my FSTi soon. It left me thinking that if I was going to change them I may as well make the most of it and upgrade the brakes. What combination of discs/pads have you found to be best? On one forum they recommend Brembo high carbon discs and Porterfield pads. Is it worth going for braided hoses and have you any recommendations for the best brake fluid? I am not going to be taking it on a track or anything like that but am just wondering what the most effective combination you have found is. Thanks.

Ian

 

[batou]

I used Castrol SRF & Hel braided lines with Carbotech xp10 on a set of Brembo standard replacement discs on my, now gone, track day car. It wasn't a FSTI but that combo was a huge jump from regular lines, fluid, standard disks with Performance Friction pads (which are supposed to be good). Wish I had enough experience with the FSTi to offer some guidance.

However, the reason I did that was specifically for track which you said you won't be doing, but yes there was more feel and response (good fluid lines and pads will do that) as well as a lot more bite/power but importantly it meant I could stay out for 45 minutes to an hour (until the fuel light came on) without suffering any brake fade or drop in performance. The one thing you want to have on track above everything else (in my view) is consistent braking, otherwise how else do you improve?

On the road, hmm, well unless you are going at 10/10ths for an hour straight without coming across any traffic (if you are please PM me the road! ) the only thing that should matter is feel, bite and stopping power. If its just the current setup doesn't give you enough feel but stops good enough I'd go better fluid and braided lines (as old rubber can stretch), if you want more power then by all means add stronger biting pads and discs that can deal with the heat. Only thing to bear in mind if you do that is you may get more noise with an aggressive pad, not be as good when cold and potentially have to deal with a lot more wheel eating dust than before so will need to keep on top of cleaning.

 

[Sheffieldblue]

Thanks for the reply. I am not going to be road racing by any means! I just thought if I am going to be making a change I may as well make the best one I can. I take your point about the extra dust from more aggressive pads. I have read that elsewhere.

 

[Lockheed]

Porterfield pads are supposed to be very good try shaun whiffin on 07768 667405 he is forester parts ,

his brother is garage whifbitz who gets a good deal on them and is supposed to be the sole importer so shaun told me .

 

[The Hoff]

https://auto.helperformance.com/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-2001-2007
Use code NUMBER1 for 40% off

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEGIWA-BRAKE-STOPPER-FOR-SUBARU-IMPREZA-GDB-01-07/401442820715
Use code PEACHY for 10% off

 

[Sheffieldblue]

Thanks very much for your responses. I'll chase those up.

 

[Kevin]

Several years ago I went with DBA slotted rotors and TRW Lucas pads and am still very happy with this setup. I decided on slotted rotors because I wanted to reduce brake fade due to heat build up on steep descents when off-road and the pads I found to be as good as my previous EBC Red and Green Stuff pads at less cost. Stopping power was definitely increased.

 

[Lockheed]

Kevin are these parts available in the uk? if so stick up a link

 

[Kevin]

Yes indeed they are and should be easily found with google e.g.

https://dbabrakes.co.uk/

I can't recommend a supplier for the pads so just do a search. TRW Lucas are German made I believe, unlike "Lucas, the Prince of Darkness" ;-)

 

[kingstonjames]

Have you seen the FB page as some of us posted in there recently when someone else asked the exact same question?

I run unknown on the rears (the former owner thinks they are EBC) but on the fronts, im running OEM Brembo/Pagid Discs (plain) and Carbon Lorraine Pads. The CL's get a mixed response but i like them, only downside is the squealing but its a weekendish car so i can live with that

 

[Sheffieldblue]

Thanks for that. I will check the forum. I must have missed that.

 

[kingstonjames]

type in Porterfield into the normal UK owners page and theres a small thread there about what people run.

TBH youll probably be fine with any disc/pad as you arent racing and braided lines on a road car are more for show than go

 

[The Hoff]

Rubbish, braided hoses make a large difference to the pedal feel on the Forester

 

[don1952]

@kingstonjames

Not sure where you get the idea "braided lines on a road car are more for show than go".
It's a know fact that OEM rubber hoses loose their resilience over time leading to a soft spongy pedal feel. More of your effort is put into "blowing up" the hoses than putting pad to the metal.
PTFE braided lines don't suffer the same problem.

 

[don1952]

@kingstonjames

Not sure where you get the idea "braided lines on a road car are more for show than go".
It's a know fact that OEM rubber hoses loose their resilience over time leading to a soft spongy pedal feel. More of your effort is put into "blowing up" the hoses than putting pad to the metal.
PTFE braided lines don't suffer the same problem.

 

[TheRealMrRow]

https://auto.helperformance.com/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-2001-2007
Use code NUMBER1 for 40% off

Useful link, particularly as you can also get a braided clutch cable while you're at it, but the NUMBER1 code is no longer valid, according to the site.
FYI.

L

 

[The Hoff]

I think the offer was only on during the run up to xmas.