cwal1

Podge,

1. STI front calipers are the same as MY99-00 UK.

2. So long as they are in good nick 2nd hand brakes are perfectly safe.

3. You can either upgrade the pads on the rear and/ or fit braided lines, or you can swap for a set of STI 2 pots. This swap is not as straight forward as buying just the calipers as I think the hub assembly is required also.

4. Best pads I have tried have been Ferrodo DS4003.

5. Upgrades to calipers. disks and pads will not affect ABS.

6. Steel brake lines are worth fitting and give much better feel when driving hard. Also less susceptible to sponginess due to heat build up. Can get them from loads of places - where are you from ?

7. Strictly speaking you should notify them of any changes but certainly, if you change the calipers then do inform them.

8. Yes they SHOULD be able to.

Chris.

Podge

I have a UK spec 1998 Impreza limited edition GT555. I have the standard six spoke silver alloys as fitted to 2000 versions. I'm not exactly over impressed with the standard one pot caliper brakes front and back. I have a few options on upgraded brakes, but I'm not sure whats best for the car.

1. New set of Subaru 4 pot calipers, disks and pads for the front.
2. Second hand set of Subaru 4 pot calipers, disks and pads for the front off a damanged 1998 STI Type R.
3. Second hand set of Subaru 4 pot calipers, disks and pads for the front off a damaged std UK spec. 2000 car.

Obviously the price drops from top to bottom.

The questions I have are as follows:
1. Are STI Type R brakes any different to Standard 2000 car brakes?
2. Are 2nd hand brakes a safe option?
3. What are the options for the rear brakes?
4. What are the best high performance pads to fit for public road driving?
5. Will any brake upgrades effect ABS?
6. Are upgraded steel braided brakes lines worth fitting? Any suggestions where I would get a good set?
7. Should I notify my insurance company of any changes made to the brakes?
8. Should my local Suabru dealer be able to fit these brakes?

Thanks.

Podge

Chris,

Many thanks for your reply. I'll probably go for the 4 pot calipers, discs and pads off the damaged MY99-00 UK car. They should be in reasonably good condition. A few more questions:

1. Any suggestions as to what I should pay for the 2nd hand option?

2. Any suggestions where I might get a set. I have to wait a week or so for the 2000 car to be broken up and then look at the condition of the parts. There may be problems with them, so I would like to check alternative options/prices in advance.

3. I think if the HUB assembly is required for the STI 2pot rear calipers then I could have to change the suspension, etc. This may be over the top for the benefits gained from 2 pot rear brakes. I think the STI type R may have a wider body also. This could be a major job.

I have the single pot/single disk configuration in the rear. Is it worth replacing this with the single pot/vented disk option from the MY99-00 UK car?

4. Who supplies the Ferrodo DS4003 pads? Are they the same as Subaru supplied parts? Any idea of price front and back.

5. I'm based in Southern Ireland, but I'm not fussy where I get the braided lines, pads, etc. from. I'll go with the best value for money.

6. I checked with my local dealer and they have no problem fitting the parts for me.

7. I am also considering replacing my wheels/types with 17" ones. I like the OZ Super T in Gold with Bridgestone S02 PP. I also like the Raceline RL5 with the same tyre. Are both of these suitable for the 4pot calipers? Are there any performance considerations? What should I expect to pay for them? Any suggestions on the supply side?

Tom.

StanS

iTrader: (3)

Podge - have UK98. Paid £300 for STI 4-pots/discs (done 5K miles allegedly) - SS fitted them and steel braided hoses and changed fluid to racing stuff - it now stops much better + firmer feel. Obviously not as good as specialist "racing" brakes, but only a third of the price (if you add on fitting etc to my £300)
I wouldn't change the back calipers etc unless you go mad upgrading the front.
Have you seen Stilauto SR500 rims - niiiiiice.
Stan

cwal1

Tom,

To answer your questions;

1. Answered by Stan

2. Could try a posting in the wanted section.

3. I think that UK MY99-00 rear brakes are the same design as the STI vented disk 2 pot combo, so I think you'd be best off replacing pads and getting braided hoses. It may be worthwhile replacing the disks for better quality ones though.

4. Can get the DS4003 from

phil_ng

Will you be doing track days? If yes then you may not be happy with STI set up. I have just upgraded at TSL to group N discs and Ferodos + aeroquip hoses, decent fluid. Cracked 2 sets standard STI fron discs after track sessions. OK for road use though. Best talk to Graham at TSL.

Podge

Are the standard MY00-99 vented front discs much different to the group N discs? Is the only advantage that the group N discs have over the standard discs more consistent braking at track days or do they stop better all round?

Are they much more expensive than the standard discs? What about the cost of the Ferrodo DS4003 pads?

Thanks for all your replies so far.

phil_ng

If its road use stick to STI standard as there fine. My only reason to upgrade is because I do track days. First one after upgrade is Sunday so Ill know more then if the upgrades worth it or not. Pads about £160 discs about £180 if I remember right.

cwal1

Podge,

Regarding Phil's last post - I would say go for the GrpN discs immediately as in my experience the standard disks are not even up to hard road use. My STI 5 went through the std disks within a couple of thousand road miles, heat cracks appeared and they then began to warp. Mine may have been a bad pair but then again......

Chris.