Page 1 of 1

WRX brakes worth it?

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:23 pm
by Florin1
Hello, i came across a decent deal on brakes off a 05 wrx an am wondering if there is a significant improvement over my stock turbo leg brakes. I'm getting lines calipers pads and rotors on all 4 corners. What is your opinion guys. Thanks

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:53 pm
by CAV3MAN227
i don't know about performance wise, but i think it will make the car look better with red calipers and subaru on them!

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:55 pm
by Florin1
Anybody?

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:00 pm
by Florin1
i dont think the calipers were red till 06 right? or am i wrong. i havent even seen them yet

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:04 pm
by wtdash
The fronts are definitely better IMHO. If you also put them on the back, you'll likely effect the brake bias...and not in a good way from what I've read on here.

Look on here for links by Legacy777. He has done a huge write-up on it.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:09 pm
by Florin1
ok thanks for the heads up

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:08 am
by SILINC3R
i am running 03 WRX front and rear. they have worked for me quite well. i have heard though the SS rear brakes are better since the are vented. i have an LS and the pistons were all bigger with the WRX and i think the front only had one but the WRX had 2.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:03 am
by evolutionmovement
No, the bias is messed up by only having front WRX brakes. I wouldn't have bothered and only upgraded the original brakes if I had known.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:26 am
by Florin1
so i should call me seller and get the rears too?

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:37 am
by ericem
Yes!

To be honest, the stock SS brakes are plenty good though. IF you had a non turbo then ya upgrade. Might be better off getting just new pads, and discs if necessary. Unless your getting wrx brakes for extremely cheap.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 7:00 pm
by Legacy777
Unless you are getting the WRX 4 & 2 pot brakes, the rear WRX brakes don't give you any more braking in the rear. The piston caliper is the same size.

As it was mentioned, the turbo legacy rear brake rotors are vented and the same diameter as the WRX. So they're no reason to upgrade.

I'd recommend the WRX front brakes & Legacy "H6" rear brakes. That combo will help keep the bias around the stock level. If you MUST have rear vented rotors, the new Legacy GT rear brakes can be used.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:02 pm
by evolutionmovement
I agree with Josh. I have a wagon, which has a greater rear bias and the larger rear brakes and the fronts will still lock up on a fast, hard braking. If I go into it more gradually and let the weight shift before honking on them, they're fine, but that's not always an option. Never had a need for ABS until I swapped.

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:53 am
by jamal
yep, if you want a brake upgrade find some of the subaru 4-pots and keep your stock rears. The rotors are the same as other wrx brakes but the bias works with the stock rears because the pistons are smaller. That and the stiffer caliper makes the brakes feel a lot better.

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:02 am
by Florin1
But I already bought the 2 pot calipers from the 05 wrx. :( are the stock ss 2 pot also on the front?

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:04 pm
by Legacy777
Just go ahead a get a larger rear brake setup to match what you've already bought.

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:48 am
by ericem
Florin1 wrote:But I already bought the 2 pot calipers from the 05 wrx. :( are the stock ss 2 pot also on the front?
Yes, it is just slightly larger the wrx brakes. Like I said IMO not worth the upgrade, I tried I don't see much difference. As long as your sliders and good and you have some good pads the SS brakes work very well.

Re: WRX brakes worth it?

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:21 am
by thenicky0
What of all is needed for the front WRX brakes besides calipers and pads? Are the WRX rotors needed? What about SS lines, would they be Legacy or WRX specific?

Re: WRX brakes worth it?

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:35 am
by originalcyn
I finished up this swap not too long ago. You might be able to find something helpful in the install thread.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic. ... 18#p390318

Re: WRX brakes worth it?

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:17 am
by wtdash
thenicky0 wrote:What of all is needed for the front WRX brakes besides calipers and pads? Are the WRX rotors needed? What about SS lines, would they be Legacy or WRX specific?
Calipers, pads, rotors, brackets, 16" wheels (for the '02-'07 11.4" brake kit). Reuse the existing lines or upgrade to SS lines.