I have a standard WRX Blobeye running standard power and standard 4 pot subaru brakes.

I wasn't sure about the brakes when I first got the car. Thought they were a bit underpowered but coming from a Toledo V5 with very good brakes, thought they would just take a bit of getting used to.

Having had the car over 6 months now I am really not happy with them to the point of thinking they are not safe!!

For instance, on a B road, if I accelerate max in 2nd then a little in 3rd before approaching a corner, I hit the brakes - nothing. I then have to stamp on them pretty hard to slow the car down. Stamping on them hard causes lots of vibration through the dash and steering and really makes it unpleasant to drive the car like this.

I'm really not wanting to go down any big brake conversion route - I just don't have the funds to do this. The discs and pads look fine from visual inspection as in still plenty of life left in them and no scoring on the discs.

I'm thinking maybe the discs could be warped - causing vibration?
Also could the calipers have siezed pistons - any way to tell?

Any advice would be very welcome

 

i changed to grooved discs and mintex 1144 iirc alot better than standard,

i would check also for flex in the firewall, and under the dash to make sure everything is bolted were it should be, my pedal box wasnt bolted to the chassi at the top.!!!

 

Decent discs, fast road pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid should sort the brakes unless you do track days. I fitted DBA Wiperslot 4000 discs 3 years ago, with DS 2500 pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid.
Slightly wooden feeling when cold, however when warm they resist fade and provide reliable stopping power.
I have a set of EBC Bluestuff waiting to go on to see how they compare.

 

If you have warped discs theres a pretty good chance you'll have one or more seized pistons!

Get them freed off (if they are seized) and get some godspeed grooved discs and kevlar pads and your brakes will be great!

 

I have ian godneys grooved discs and pads with braided hoses and 5.1 brake fluid running 351bhp 353ft/lbs torque on my 4pots brakes are alot better now

 

+1 for the above: brake overhaul and the above discs and pads will see you right. Braided lines and new fluid wouldn't hurt.

ian@godspeedbrakes.co.uk

 

Thanks for the replies

Yeah it sounds like the godspeed grooved discs and pads are the best option for what I am after. Car will never be tracked just want something better/safer for road use. Probably worth upgrading to braided hoses and 5.1 at same time then as suggested.

Do you need to remove the calipers to know if it has seized pistons then?
If they are goosed is this something that can be fixed reasonably cheap?

I know scoobyworx are doing exchange 4 pots for their refurbed powdercoated ones for about £150-200. Would that be best option?

Oh I have also noticed I have one embossed caliper on the nearside and a flat caliper on the offside.
Would this cause any problems?

 

subaru 4 pots are good powerful calipers so yes go for refurbs godspeed fit stainless pistons in theirs do it right and only do it once

 

Cheers, yeah scoobyworx do the stainless steel pistons as well, that's the £200 exchange option.

Will get a price off Ian Godney for discs and pads. Then weigh up the best option.

Might find I'm cheaper getting 2nd hand Brembos disc and pads (£400-£500), then selling my 4 pots if they are OK to recoup some of the outlay

 

Could be...but used Brembios, figure in NEW discs and pads sooner rather than later.

What you have to ask yourself at this juncture is: Do I WANT Brembos, or will I be happy with the Scoob 4-pots. Answer yourself honestly, then go for that option. Remember that front Brembos will need bigger, (STi) wheels.

Saves money in the long run

 

Yeah I know what you're saying Alcazar. Problem is I just don't know how good the 4 pots MAY be because mines feel so poor. I'd be really disappointed to spend £400 on brakes overhauling 4 pots to find out they still aren't much better. Also I have the Innovite Redline 18" alloys which I think are good for Brembos?

 

Put a separate post on here asking for opinions between the two, plenty of people with one, or the other.

 

I've got Tarox drilled and grooved discs all round, Bluestuff NDX pads, HEL braided lines and DOT 5.1 on the standard 4 pot calipers and the braking is excellent.
Sounds to me your discs are buggered. Personally i would not consider 2nd hand discs, you may well end up no better off.

 

When I first stamped on my 4 POT setup (post 3), I was laughing out loud at the difference over 11k old standard OE brakes. To date they have been completely resistant to fade, where the OE setup was fading and smoking with just 265bhp. ( Now running 312)

 

OK thanks again for the good info folks.

Ian Godney has quoted me some very good prices :-)

I think I'm going to go with the Godspeed grooved discs and Kevlar pads, plus braided hoses and 5.1 fluid. When changing them over I'll get the calipers checked for sticking pistons. If need be I'll get an exchange set with the Stainless Steel pistons.

I think from what you guys are saying, this setup - working properly - will be good enough for any power increase I plan which is just the basic upgrades and remap for 270-280 BHP.

alcazar - Good shout would be interested to see results if I can maybe setup a poll but then it might just confuse my judgement and change my mind again lol!

 

Sounds like the details I gave you were of some help , just to throw another option as mentioned above , is our 335mm kit , took an up to date photo today of a kit we were sending out to a customer



This kit is with NDX pads , and makes a huge difference over the standard sized discs and pads.
Standard sized 294mm grooved discs and NDX pads are £225
Our 335mm kit complete with oversized NDX pads is £550



Cheers Ian

 

Thanks Ian they were.

Those Look great but slightly out of my budget lol

 

I love my NDX pads, big improvement over standard and they have held up well on track too.