Help me select brakes...

[scuzzy]

I've read a bunch of topics in this forum but never really found the answer that was right for me; a lot of people are doing a lot of different things and right now I'm pretty clueless about upgrading brakes.

Essentially the details are:
I drive a 91 N/A Wagon with turbo transplant - the brakes are stock and worn, so I need some before the next two weeks are up; this sunday's autocross will probably do the rears in entirely.

I autocross on a two week basis, and I'm getting pretty serious about it; so I want a brake setup that will lend me good performance and not be something that I need to upgrade again in 20k miles.

The car will (eventually) be coming OFF the street - so ride harshness and grabby brakes are not a problem for me (hell, I drive it with a 4-puck and stiffer pressure plate in it now)


I need fronts and rears. Upgraded calipers, brackets, rotors, pads, etc.

I have 17x8 +48 5x100 wheels so clearance isn't a problem, pretty sure I can fit everything that's made except for STi stuff.

I probably want to get this done for under $700, the cheaper the better without significant sacrifices in quality. I don't need to have the BEST, but I want to be competitive.

If you're going to suggest takeoffs from something, give me a model year range to play with; I really don't know where to start.


I'm doing this (and autocrossing and old car) to prove to TRSCCA members that you don't need a miata, 240sx, vette, porsche, etc; to be competitive, and that the 90-94 legacy was and still is a great platform because of it's interchangeability. I don't want to abandon the project I started three years ago, so just humor me for now please.

[jamal]

For auto-x, you're not going to see the heat that would require anything bigger than stock. I'd suggest making sure all the seals are in good shape and greased up, and find some pads that have great initial bite when cold. That would be something like an oem pad or HPS or something.

Higher performance pads are going to take some time to heat up and I don't think would be a good choice for auto-x.

The other thing you want to look into is what changing the rotors and calipers does to your classing. Sure it'd be nice to throw on some Subaru 4-pots, but not if it means you're going to be seriously out-classed.

The brake sticky tells you all the brakes that came on all the different cars, which lets you figure out what to look for. Here's another thread I made on nasioc that I should probably post here too:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1529797

[scuzzy]

For auto-x, you're not going to see the heat that would require anything bigger than stock. I'd suggest making sure all the seals are in good shape and greased up, and find some pads that have great initial bite when cold. That would be something like an oem pad or HPS or something.

Higher performance pads are going to take some time to heat up and I don't think would be a good choice for auto-x.

The other thing you want to look into is what changing the rotors and calipers does to your classing. Sure it'd be nice to throw on some Subaru 4-pots, but not if it means you're going to be seriously out-classed.

The brake sticky tells you all the brakes that came on all the different cars, which lets you figure out what to look for. Here's another thread I made on nasioc that I should probably post here too:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1529797

Classing doesn't matter, I run Tire Street Mod; my class is open except for addition of suspension geometry changing components (IE: ALK's)

Remember I'm running tiny rotors on big wheels on a 3200lb car, I don't see sticking to OEM rotors, one-pot calipers and whatnot to be an option; I've really got to stand on them (but I can lock them up) I'm looking for harder braking with less force required.

[skid542]

I found a big difference swapping from stock N/A stuff to stock turbo all around when I had my 93' FWD. This is a pretty cheap route.

My plan is to get WRX fronts and then put the new LGT setup in the rear using the brackets Phil got into production. I think this would be a great balance.

A set of SS lines and a MBC along with good fluid of course is a great idea as well.

[jamal]

well, I'd say get some of the subaru 4-pots for the front. Great feel, pad availability, and it doesn't move the bias too far.

H6 upgrade in the rear if you feel like it. I think you can use svx brackets and the stock calipers with H6 rotors.

[dscoobydoo]

You could probably manage to get the 4 pot/2 pot set-up for just around $1000.

Short of the Brembos, I would go with this if you autocross. The right pads ( we run the Axxis Ceramic) will about pull your kidneys out.

[Legacy777]

Yeah a 4-pot/2-pot setup or 4-pot/H6 setup would be nice.

If I could get a set of 4-pot & 2-pots cheaply, I'd consider upgrading since I've already have the rotors, I'd just need new pads & the calipers.