1993 L wagon brake recommendations

[nortonjefferson]

Hey guys, i know there is a plethora of information on here about brakes. I need new brakes on my wagon, like bad. My rotors are unturnable, pads are toast blah blah blah. Im thinking of buying new pads and rotors to just fit my OEM caliper setup right now, but i also want to put WRX brakes up front and H6 in the rear. So my question is, from your experience with brakes would it be worth it to put WRX brakes up front and H6 in the rear OR should i just stick with the stock setup and purchase new calipers and pads? I just want to here your guys' experience/opinions on the matter and make an informed decision instead of doing one or the other not knowing which would be more beneficial for me in the long run. Thanks in advance! Feel free to delete if this has been beaten to death already.

[wtdash]

Hi
We need more info about your car's current and future plans and daily usage.
- Is this a point A to B car? = Stock
- Any upgrades planned ? = Depends
- Tow or haul heavy stuff regularly? = Upgrade
- Lots of mtn driving? = Upgrade
- Full turbo upgrade and/or AutoX on weekends? = Upgrade
- Next Colin McRae? - different car


See what I mean?

Td

[mike-tracy]

Stick with stock unless your brakes can't keep up with your driving.

[Legacy777]

I agree with Mike. The WRX & H6 are good upgrades, but can affect the braking balance, so you kind of end up going down a rabbit hole in terms of modifications.

[nortonjefferson]

Thankyou everyone who replied! I appreciate the input a lot. I figured it might be an undertaking swapping to wrx and h6 brakes but I thought it wouldnt hurt to ask! I'm going to buy some stoptech slotted rotors and a new set of pads and see how that treats me. Again, thanks for all the input, it's great having a place to go with a great wealth of first gen leggy knowledge and people who are willing to help other enthusiasts!

[Legacy777]

You're welcome. Let us know how the work goes.

[jamal]

I think wrx/h6 moves the bias forward. Going to the smaller 276mm 2-pots found on the RS, turbo legacy, newer non-wrx impreza etc plus h6 in the rear keeps things even. I have it in a thread somewhere.

Going to the newer stuff gives you calipers that operate smoothly and it's easier to find good pads. You could find that your dust boots are trash and pistons and slide pins stick and at that point you'd definitely be better off finding some replacement calipers over just putting in new rotors/pads.

The other thing you'll get with the slightly bigger brakes is longer wear. I've had a wrx/h6 combo on my car for a good 5 years now and the pads have plenty of life left. With the smaller brakes on my old car I once toasted a set of pads in a year.

[Legacy777]

Yes, with the stock wagon brakes and upgrading to the WRX/H6 brakes it shifts the brake torque 21.22% forward.

My brake torque spreadsheet with calculate the changes.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25054

[smagg26]

now when yall say wrx are yall talking about the 2 pot calipers or the 4 pot? because I have the 2 pot front and stock rears (racecar funding issues) with an abs equipped car. I found that after I removed the fuse for the abs the bias became more neutral. I've been contemplating on doing the h6 rear set up in hopes that it moves the bias towards the rear.

[mike-tracy]

now when yall say wrx are yall talking about the 2 pot calipers or the 4 pot? because I have the 2 pot front and stock rears (racecar funding issues) with an abs equipped car. I found that after I removed the fuse for the abs the bias became more neutral. I've been contemplating on doing the h6 rear set up in hopes that it moves the bias towards the rear.

Take a read through the sticky links at the top of the brake section, which I've linked here.
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=30989

WRX's have come with several different kinds of front brakes over the years, so 2 and 4-pots could have come on one.

Look at the "brake math spreadsheet" link in the sticky to see the effects of brake bias. I put too large rear brakes on a car without abs once and the rears would lock up far before the fronts, leading to "interesting" handling.

[smagg26]

That spread sheet is awesome!!! So my theory of using the H6 in the rear to bring the bias to the rear is correct then. Time to get some race car funding.

[mike-tracy]

That spread sheet is awesome!!! So my theory of using the H6 in the rear to bring the bias to the rear is correct then. Time to get some race car funding.

Yeah I'm currently using 03 WRX front / H6 Rears and like the combo a lot.

[smagg26]

How does it perform in the snow/ heavy rain? Because that is another reason I am looking to move the bias as well as hoping it will better suit auto cross.

current combo: 04 wrx 2-pot/ stock rears on a 91 abs wagon

[mike-tracy]

I feel like that has almost everything to do with tire choice,.

[smagg26]

it depend how you look at it. brake bias plays a big part in both parts as well as tires. but the bias will determine how you can take turns and at what rate just like tires.

[rallyak]

I have ss brakes on my fronts and H6 in the rears on my 90 abs wagon and feels pretty good. I upgraded because of the heavy loads I have, It's a delivery vehicle that sees around 500-800 lbs daily. Empty is very predictable and the abs works great, it stops quicker than my wife's 92 wagon on ice.

[mike-tracy]

it depend how you look at it. brake bias plays a big part in both parts as well as tires. but the bias will determine how you can take turns and at what rate just like tires.

What about building a device to alter the bias from inside the cabin, like the rally guys have? I'm sure you're right about the brake bias making a difference in competition.

[cj91legss]

An adjustable proportion valve?

[Legacy777]

If you go adjustable it needs to pretty much be a race car only. The stock brake setup uses a dual diagonal brake circuit for safety. I have not been able to find an adjustable proportioning valve for the dual diagonal brake circuits. So the two rear lines need to be tied together and then split again to the two rear wheels.

It can be done, but like I mentioned, unless it's a race car and you're wanting to do custom brake line fitment I wouldn't bother.

[smagg26]

I've tried to look into adjustable valves but i haven't been able to find anything. but according to that chart if i change the pad type I should be able to find a happy point.

[Legacy777]

Yes, changing pad compounds can be a way to also adjust brake torque and bias.