sang_my02_wrx

hi all

im running oem stuff at the moment, but they are running low and pretty crap tbh. so i need a little upgrade.

would it be ideal to use red stuff at the front with oem disks and leave everything else the same?

also how can i tell if a disk needs replacing?

cheers

corradoboy

IIRC discs start out 24mm thick and should be replaced when 22mm, so 1mm each side wear. I believe this info is stamped onto the bell housing somewhere, if not it may be in your handbook.

I personally don't recommend EBC Red's. I only got 6k out of a set when the OE rubbish before managed 18k, and the Ferodo's after did 22k. Ferodo DS2000 (DSPF now I think) or Pagid Blue are better IMHO.

To give your brakes a real boost spend £50 or so on some Goodridge stainless braided lines and change the fluid for some quality DOT5.1. Much improved mine when I did this.

andythejock01wrx

I have the above and it's worthwhile and doesn't cost much.

Note that it doesn't allow you to stop more quickly or change pedal feel (as far as I could tell). It reduces brake fade.

SLIAN

Just fitted oem discs with mintex extreme pads allround the result is a lot better initial bite and less fade (road use) at a price that is cheaper than oem pads.

scooby_matt

I have Mintex 1155's.
Not as good as I was expecting TBH and they produce that much dust, they constantly squeel.
I won't be using them again.

corradoboy

I had the same issues with 1155's, which is why I didn't recommend them.

bugeyeandy

I have EBC reds, initially impressed me for road use but they wear quickly and cause a lot of dust.
They're also crap for track day use. Fade,fade,fade.......

pippyrips

i've got a set of ferodo Ds2500's and goodridge braided hoses to go on shortly. Have heard good things about them

sang_my02_wrx

hmm, so red stuff not that recommended, although one of the most expensive options on scoobyworld.

my OEM pads have so far lasted me 25k miles, and they still have about 20% on the front and 50% on the rears.

im really after something with a bit more bite, with similar fade. i use allot of downshifting, so they do last me a while.

what do people think of black diamonds? (had these on a old car and tohught they were brill, but not sure on a scoob.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Pagid 421's are very good.., although they're bloody mucky buggers..

Still worth it IMHO..

PS If you Wash your car regularly (ie > weekly) then the dust shouldn't be too much of a problem..

pslewis

Well, I bought Subaru Pads .... I know it's boring and not in with 'in crowd' but they did me 62,000miles first time around - so I expect the same again - VALUE FOR MONEY!

I also bought some Subaru discs at the same time ... again, 62,000miles cannot be wrong.

As one would expect they do what they say on the tin, they fit perfectly, run without squeal and I am looking at another 62,000miles without worrying about them again.

To me, thats a RESULT!!

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

^^^^

Good enough reason to upgrade OEM pads if ever there was one..!

andythejock01wrx

Yep, if you don't go above 29mph, then your brakes'll last pretty well !

richiewong

As mentioned you can't go wrong with Ferodo DS2500's or Pagid RS4.2-1 Black.

One of the most recommended suppliers

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Hi Richie,

How are your Pagids doing..?

I recon I've got about 5mm remaining on mine after ~10k..

Although their very I 'may' try some DS2500 next to see how they compare and if they're any cleaner..!

sang_my02_wrx

but is everyone running upgraded pads on standard discs?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Jasonius

If you are desperate I've got some almost new Ferrodo DS2500's you can have.........I took them off because they covered the wheels and driveway with a layer of black dust / crud !!

Must admit they were very quiet !!

I moved over to Pagid blue (from alyn)....much cleaner and worked just as well but made quite a "scrape" noise around town !

Shaun

richiewong

Pagids are still great but dirty buggers, thank god for anthracite wheels

Found out the squeel is due to the edge of the pad catching the inner part of the disc so its either a skim or replacement disc time.

Think I'll just get new discs, also thinking about going over to DS2500 to match the rears

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Hi Shaun,

I'd give them a go, how much you looking for them..?

Richie; how are your pagids wearing in respect to mileage..? BTW are yours black or blues..?

IIRC mine were blacks, how do they compare to blues..?

richiewong

Pagid black as well, still got some life in after 10 months

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Jasonius

Just realised the DS2500's I have in the garage are for the Godspeed big brake upgrade (330mm I think), Too big for the OEM disks I think

Sorry

Shaun

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

no probs mate..

stevem2k

Found this too when I whipped the my blacks out for a general cleanup. Used a small file to chamfer the area back a little in the centre section of the pad and the noise has gone for now

10k and a few laps of the 'ring and I reckon they are a smidge over half done

Steve

GazTheHat

Yep, me too, going on tomorrow with Motul 5.1 fluid, so hoping for BIG improvements.

Shark Man

Just thought I'd mention, as its a common misconception to many people (unfortunately sucked in by salesmen).....

Dot 5.1 gives NO advanatge in brake pedal feel over Dot4. Any difference felt is due to old fluid being changed, thus pruging any air and moisture in the system or other modifcations done at the same time, not the type of fluid used. Both have the same compressability.

The DOT standard only addresses wet and dry boiling points. Dot5.1 has roughly a 35degrees C advantage over Dot4 in both areas. Point being, for road use your better off going cheaper and replacing it more often as both being hydroscopic will cause the boiling points to fall over time (wet boiling point).

If your brakes fluid temps are exceeding the 230degree C boiling point rating of Dot 4 (dot 5.1 = 260degreesC). Then you have a problem with your braking system (wrong pad compound, or you need better calipers) or you driving style is too agressive.

In conclusion, save yourself a few quid use a good Dot4 and change it twice as often to maintain its boiling point. In doing so your regulary flushing and purging any air and moisture that has entered the system that is the main contributors to poor pedal feel and fluid boiling

Obviously if money is not an issue, go mental.

scoobynutta555

I'm with pissy on this one

I had 6 pots and bigger discs etc on the P1 and the difference between them and the OEM set up isn't that great compared to the 4 pots against the old Impreza calipers (2 pots?) that were on my first WRX. These truely were crap brakes.

GazTheHat

At £4 a bottle for the 5.1, it should be within reach.

Can confirm an improvement when i had the 20k service and the fluid changed, better pedal feel.

WHEELSHOP0_0

Your pedal feel can be improved by replacing the flexies with braided ones these are more expensive but do give a firmer feel, better pads, good new fluid, even a caliper change(upgrade if needed) all improve the feel, pay your money make your choice