Upgraded Brakes
 

I am looking to affordably (i.e. <NZ$1,500) upgrade my brakes for improved performance & feel (no track work).

Obviously, I want to do this right first time so the real world proven experience of others (good & bad) would be useful in making the decision on what products to use.

I have been through the various threads, some of which are quite old & others recommend brake upgrade kits that are quite expensive e.g. Motiv. I have also reviewed postings suggesting basic checks of the current setup & can confirm that all brake lines have been purged & refilled. Bearings are all good & the brake cylinder/booster is all good (via recent service at Winger Subaru).

So, in the interest of ensuring I have the most up to date info., I am posting this thread. I have narrowed down the options to the following suppliers noted below for vented & slotted rotors. My preference is for a local supplier i.e. Downunder (Oz/NZ), but I am open to products from the USA. I was therefore curious if anyone has used these & how the brakes performed. If there are other options, I would like to know the details.

- DBA Rotors (Oz) via BNT
- SVX Motorsport Warehose (USA)
- Rotors & Pads.com (USA)
- Centric (USA)

When it comes to the pads, what should I use? One the of the suppliers (BNT) has suggested Bendix (CT). I have seen various mentions of Hawk, Akebono & Axxis. Your thoughts?

Finally, SS braided lines. Any thoughts on whether, after upgrading the rotors & pads, would SS braided lines contribute anything more?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

First and foremost get a set of stainless steel lines.
Good ones!
Like Goodrich!
I now buy mine from Dayle at Motor Sports Warehouse.
They are the same high quality lines that I used to sell!

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Thanks mate.

How much of a difference did they make?

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

It is hard for me to quantify, but with SS lines the hydrolic energy/pressure goes into the much more stable "hard parts" like the calipers.
GEL who likes almost no upgrades,:rolleyes: says they improve "feel" and response by at least 25%!
No more spongey brakes.
Use at least a DOT3-4 like Valvoline full synthetic brake fluid to reduce brake boil. (I am sorry but I do not know what your country uses for a rating.)
I would not use a drilled rotor if it is a stock diameter.
Dimpled, slotted is fine, or high quality stock replacements.
More on this later.

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

My brakes don't feel spongy at all since the 5mt swap and I've had steel lines sitting on my garage for a couple years now. If I already have responsive pedal feel, would installing the steel lines make me pedal feel like a brick?

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Excuse my ignorance, but what is 5mt?

I will let others (svxfiles) answer the pedal feel question, which I am just as curious about.

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Yes!:)7,8,9

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

5 speed manual transmission.
It weighs about 100 pounds (45.45kg) less than an automatic transmission.
Anything that you do to lighten your car will help both the braking, and the accelleretion.;)

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Thanks for subjectively quantifying the improvement that SS braided lines make + the advice on the DOT 3/4 brake fluid, the latter being consistent with advice from after-market brake suppliers.

Your advice on using slotted & not drilled rotors is also consistent with advice from manufacturers & distributors, esp. as I want to maintain the current wheels/brake diameter.

Thus far, my research seems to support purchasing:
- Rotors from dba in OZ (part# 651 - solid rears, part # 652 - vented & slotted fronts
- Bendix pads (General CT)
- SS braided lines from Dayle at Motor Sports Warehouse

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Thanks for that clarification.

I agree on the weight saving measures & a good manual transmission, however for me, I do 60% city driving & 40% open road driving, so the auto suits my needs well. Besides, there are other manual transmission cars coming to join the family soon, so they will be used for more spirited work.

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Having said all that, from what I can tell, all the rotor replacement options are for the same size rotors which just happen to be slotted to minimise fade (I want to retain the same size wheels).

Therefore, excluding the points around slotted rotors, brake fluid, pads & SS braided lines, if the rotors are the same size & also ventilated, then what is the benefit of changing to say dba rotors (excluding the brake fade point)?

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

In looking at upgrading my brakes I was informed today that I should check to see if any aftermarket SS Braided lines are approved/certified by the NZ (NZT?). If not, they will not get through a WOF.

Has anyone come across this & if so, what approved/certified SS braided lines have you used?

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

My .02 cents. If this is for street use avoid EBC Green Stuff pads. I hear great things about Akebono and Hawk pads on here. Also, ATE makes a nice blue brake fluid I have had in mine for a while. Super Blue

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Haven't read throught the whole thread so its been mentioned sorry.
The most import thing you can do to up grade your brakes is to remove the dust shield form the front brakes.
One of the biggest problems our brakes have is heat build up and that is because of poor airflow. Removing the dust shield helps with that problem. I also run sloted & drill rotors. Before every one jumps in I drive on dirt mud sand and every thing you can think of and I have never got rocks in the pads.


Thats my 2 bobs worth.
Tony

Re: Upgraded Brakes
 

Thanks for the tips on the brake pads & brake fluid.