I ran out of time to get the pads on the driver's side and the caliper bleed and haven't gotten my WRX fronts on yet so I don't have any driving reports to give. But I thought I would share a few pictures of the new hotness that is now my rear brake setup -
There's maybe a 1/4" of clearance between the caliper and the rim, but it does clear it. Once I have some time on the road I'll report back.
Thanks again to Phil for getting these babies into production and available to us. The kit quality has been great and they even included new banjo/caliper bolts and washers.
Adam, these are the brakes that are referenced in the thread "Big Budget Brakes".
The rotors are being produced by Racing Brake and are 316mm in diameter. More importantly, they are vented with directional vanes and allow us to use our existing SS rear caliper and pads. I can't remember if they're cyro'd or not.
So with the kit you get rotors, brakets, a few clips/bolts/washers, and also a set of stainless steel lines.
Racing Brakes offers two setups - a 316mm kit and a 290mm kit. I believe their website is - www.racingbrake.com and you can find it by navigating through the Subaru brake upgrades.
The rear calipers are attached to the brackets with two bolts. The top bolt is really just a pin that the caliper slides onto and then bottom bolt goes through the caliper, through the rubber bushing, and into the bracket. So the whole caliper can float and to change the pads you just take out the bottom bolts and pivot the caliper up and out of the way.
So with the new brackets you just have to unscrew the sliding pin from the old bracket, it's a 12mm hex, and install it into the new bracket. So now the caliper will attach to the new bracket just like it does with the stock bracket.
The new bracket is made such that it just moves the caliper further away from the center of the rotor. You can see in the pictures how the contact surface is still pretty skinny, a result of just moving the existing pads/caliper outwards. The bracket attaches to the hub with two 14mm bolts behind the dust shield. It is the length of these mounting legs that determines the distance of the caliper to the center of the rotor. The new brackets just have longer legs to move things out.
I should have taken some pics with the old brackets next to the new ones to clear this up but once you get them it's pretty clear how the whole thing works.
Did that clear it up or were you able to find your answer before this response?
As far as the pad size... we're starting to get into a greyish area... I am a firm believer that heat dissipation plays a very significant role in stopping distances. My previous posts from a few years ago go into my beliefs on this in much greater depth and the larger rotor does help this a lot. The other driving factor is the torque that is applied to the rotor and hence to the tires where the tires can dissipate the heat. With a skinny pad it moves the effective center of the braking force further out on the rotor than a pad that is wider but still having the same outer edge. Following me here? However, having a large pad gives the pad a larger thermal mass and it's less likely to overheat from a few consequetive hard stops. I don't think it would play much factor in open tracking where you're heating everything up and keeping it hot. You just have to have a pad that can handle it. I'm pretty sure I've heard you make references to tracking your car so you're probably up to speed on this aspect, hehe get it... up to speed.... *sigh*
Now with regards to a two pot system. All the extra pistons do is provide less flex, ideally, in the caliper and because you're applying the force over greater area, two pistons instead of one, you have a better pedal feel. This helps with thresh hold braking. It's the pedal feel that drives the desire for more pistons.
That said, the 316mm kit is larger than the current 2 pot system Subaru has on the new WRX's and the early JDM's as those are a 290mm system. I cannot speak on the new STi Brembo setup but I do believe the initial STi 2 pot was also a 290mm setup.
I do know the stock SS rears, and NA's for that matter, are 266mm or 260mm. I should have taken some pictures of these rotors next to the stock ones because they look huge in comparison. So the percentage difference from stock is 19% larger, using the 266mm number.
And yes, Phil gave me a great deal as I probably would not have sprung for the 316 kit otherwise. Heck I already had/have a brand new set of 290mm rotors from a LGT that I was going to use for my rear brake upgrade. But I couldn't help myself.... .
And oh man, I can't wait to get out and try these out with the new WRX fronts. Unfortunately I'm heading out of town tomorrow for business and won't be able to finish the project until next weekend.
Yes, the 316 kit is pretty pricey...but not when you compare that you could spend that much just on the two pots...
So if you can source the Legacy rotors - wonder if you can just buy just the "extended high strength brackets" from RacingBrake?
Wonder how much cheaper that option is all told?
Also, are rotors straight out of the box or do they need an initial turning after manufacturing? I've heard this may need to be done with Brembo replacement products but it's just hearsay.
You make a valid point about the comparison against the 2-pots. And unless you get the adapters there is a lot more work to get 2-pots installed than with these. And for the price you're also getting a set of S/S lines.
I am not sure how much/if you can buy just the brackets. I was going to call and see if I could but Phil put these up for sale before I did. I'd imagine you can get them for pretty reasonable but I'd also imagine the cost of the casting is the major driver in the kit as it's not a particularly high volume item.
I've never heard about having to have new rotors turned before being used. That's a new one to me as the rotors get turned during the manufacturing process. They don't sell just a rough cast item. I also have a hard time believing Brembo would sell a product you have to have outside processing done to before installation.
I can't remember what you're running in the rears but if you're still stock and looking to upgrade, I'd be willing to let the rotors I have go for a $100 plus shipping... [/shameless plug] Albeit they aren't slotted.
Yeah, I need the slots but thanks for the offer. Good deal for someone.
Yes, the kartboy brackets are really expensive...
Thanks to a board member pusher ah, I mean seller...this spring I'll have the JDM black 4pots up front. I think now I can rest assured on what I'll use on the back to go with them. Subaru rear brakes give me a headache - funny what the RB site says about them!
Looks like you painted all to match - except for the yellow stuff of course. Good work again!
Damn you! I need this kit, like nobody's business. Phil knows this. But he also knows I need to buy a shell, lol.
I've been extremely happy with my RacingBrake 4 pot front brake kit. It even clears WRX wheels. With the HPS pads it came with, braking was insanely improved over my Legacy L single piston front brakes. 120mph to zero like what. No fade. All business.
I've had three winters on the rotors, and there is absolutely no sign of rust, so I can vouch that their coating is rock solid. They look as good as the day I put them on, for the most part.
Guys, if you want a RB discount, PM me. I can save you money on every order.
As for getting the brackets separately, it may not be possible. It was never intended to be offered as individual components (which makes sense, because what would you use for rear rotors of the 316 kit but RB?)
I learned a TON about brakes when I put together this kit. If you have questions, I'd be happy to field them.
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