h4rry

iTrader: (3)

Hi guys,

My mate has just bought an RB5 and the brakes are shocking on it, they desperatly need changing. He wants to take the 'no expense spared' approach and buy only the best.

What can you guys recommend please?

Also, for my information really, what is different about the RB5, why is it an RB5 etc etc etc. Any info would be great, cheers!

timmccr

Firstly, I'll answer you're last question...

RB5 had (in standard form) unique colour (86F) in the UK (only imports shared this colour). Its known in the UK as Steel Blue, but Cool Grey on imports. Prodrive quickshift. Map reading lights (not standard on UK cars until MY00). Graphite centre console and gear lever surround (again not standard on UK cars until MY00). Black jersey and blue alcantara trimmed seats. Blue alcantara door cards. Unique plaque showing which number your RB5 is (bubble badge, unlike the Terzo etc). Badged mat set (black mat, red binding with RB5 logo). Red stitched steering wheel. Red stiched gear ****. Prodrive Speedline alloys (I can't remember the model number). PIAA driving lamps behind RB5-badged covers. Similar bodyshell to the 4-door STi models, in so far as the solid rear bulkhead (noticed the RB5 doesn't have split folding rear seats, yet other MY99 UK cars do). RB5 logos on bootlid and near front indicators.

On top of all those extras, a WR-Sport package was also available, consisting of:

Prodrive mapped ECU (more mid-range torque and higher bhp)
Prodrive centre section and back-box (standard had twin-pea-shooter)
Prodrive WR-Sport rear wing
Prodrive WR-Sport logo-ed dials

As for the main question...

A lot of people rate the AP Racing conversion kits very highly. They're available for both front and rear, most people only go for front. However... no expense spared means he may as well get front and rear (warning - may cause head-to-steering wheel impacts with heavy braking (joke )).

Alternatively, if you're wanting to keep it as stock as possible, you could go for the Prodrive Alcon front caliper/disc upgrade. That'll leave you with standard sliding single pot rear calipers, but its not too difficult to source and fit some Subaru 2-pot or Brembo 2-pot rear calipers (just need larger discs and brackets for the Subaru 2-pots, new discs, handbrake shoes and brackets for the Brembos).

Hope all that makes sense? Its way past my bedtime.

h4rry

iTrader: (3)

Cheers for the detailed reply mate, thats spot on the info about the RB5. Just one more question, what BHP is the car standard (as i believe his is) as i noticed it was not a red top STi engine (which i thought the RB5's were). Im assuming it will be the standard 225bhp wrx engine? None of the WRsport upgrades are on the car as far as i know.

Sorry, but i probably didnt make myself clear up above, he only wants to change the discs and pads currently, and add braided hoses. I have also recommended he buys some different brake fluid, again would ask you which one is best?

Until he starts spending more money on the engine i dont think its worth his while upgrading the calipers. Which discs and pads would you recommend for the standard calipers?

Sorry to be a pain

richiewong

Brakes always feel bad because they aren't over servo'd therefore need a bit more effort.
Mind you 24mm thickness on 4 pot discs means they get hot quickly with spirited use.

Think RB5's came with 4 pot 'SUBARU' calipers anyway, waits to be corrected

Pads wise look into Pagid RS4.2-1 black or RS.42 blue and Ferodo DS2500's.

Discs, up to you but try to stick with plain or grooved, cross drilled can crack, decent lines such as Goodridge will help as will decent fluid and possibly a brake support bracket which bolts on to the master cylinder to help prevent flex.

Give Alyn a ring at AS Performance - Rally Motorsport Specialists

Support bracket try Ebay

Also checkout RB5 Owners Club Website

stockcar

the rb5 were same power as std UK cars of that era 215bhp............unless WR sport pack was fitted.......

alyn