I'm not especially happy with the performance of the Brembos on my JDM 03 STI. Has anyone managed to make good brakes out of them by changing pads/fluids/discs/lines etc. or is an AP etc. kit the only way to go?

 

i have got braided hoses,uprated brake fluid dot 4.0 from as performance and uprated pads ds2500-brakes much better
at autoshow subaru guys were saying prodrive were releasing new pads/discs this year
martin

 

I have just upgraded to braided hoses and use decent fluid and for the road, this is fine, I have no complaints. However, on the track I am getting Pad Knock Off issues (see this thread: http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/showthread.php?t=301332 ).

I had AP4 pots on my last Scoob and on the road, there didn't seem to be that much in it between the two but on track, I'm not sure the Brembo's give me enough confidence like the APs did

Matt

 

Thanks, Matt.
Pity you didn't get any response to your earlier thread. I'm leaning towards the idea of just going the whole hog and getting the AP six pot setup. It would be interesting to hear others' experiences with the new age car, though. I've heard comment that the APs can squeal during town driving, which would put me off as I have to do the daily commute in my car...

 

mr flibble tried to send you a message but v-bulletin would not let me
look at jap innovations website re dba discs-looks interesting
at least they are better than the alcon/prodrive brakes which were squeaky in town and fadey out of town disappointing for £1500
martin

 

The AP's don't have to squeal - mine never did and come to think of it, I've not driven a set that do. I have driven cars with AP4 pots using Mintex 1155s and been in a car with the MGF Cup pads, the new EBC Greenstuff and Redstuff and 6 pots using DS2500s with no issues.

Matt

 

I have the AP 6 pots on my STi8, never once had a squeal, great set-up.
On general, SUBWRX is trying to organise a group-buy for some AP stuff, if your interested.

Paul

 

PS fitting Ferrodo DS2500 to the Brembo's did squeal alot, especially around town. Putting copperslip on the back of pads/shims/between shims etc. seemed to cure the squeal, for nearly 100 miles or so. Gave up in the end, after warping two sets of front disc's.
I have not yet been on the track with the AP's but generally, they are very confidence inspiring.

Paul

 

I think that changing the Discs to AP and getting the bells to go with them, then going for braided lines, different pads and something like the dot 5.1 fluid will enhance your cars braking ability, the calipers themselves are not that bad so going for the above should improve things significantly

Tony

 

Stuck DBA discs, DS2500's, dot 5.1 and braided hoses all round on my old pile of crap.

Made a huge difference, don't miss the rattly STi now it's gone, but I do miss it's brakes.

 

Many thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'm going to go down the pad change route initially and I'll review things from there.