So I need to replace my front pads & rotors. My car's all stock but I wanted to get input from the community...I can only spend so much, so should I spend the total amount on just front brakes and ignore the rears (still a lot of pad life left but generic pads) or should I spend less on the fronts and get new rotors & brakes all around? Since the fronts are the primary stopping area, would I be fine with just replacing the fronts?

I'm thinking of getting the DBA 4000 rotors with maybe Hawk HPS pads & stainless steel lines.

 

Just remember, brakes are the most important part of the car. Don't skimp out on them. I would get Blank rotors and stoptech pads all the way around since your only stock. No need for slotted Rotors or ss lines unless you track or have more power.

 

I have the DBA rotors. They aren't much more than either stock or Cryostop or Stoptech rotors. The slots are small and not too aggressive, so pads tend to last a long time even with some aggressive stops. They wear extremely well and do not rust at the hub (it is painted black) so they look great.

I am on the fence about the SS lines. I have the stock lines, but I have driven several Imprezas with the stainless lines - they tend to rob you of a lot of break modulation and make the brakes extremely grabby and touchy. The stock rubber lines have almost no flex (they look rubber, but are braided inside) and you really aren't going to see a benefit from the stainless upgrade lines unless you can already get your stock brake fluid to boil and cause brake fade on a regular basis right now.

 

honestly, One of the best upgrades I did for my bug eye was the H6 rear Brake upgrade. I know you need fronts, but ig you have the cash right now i suggest getting your new pads, use the old rotors if they are not warped, and investing in a H6 rear upgrade. Since you have a 2002, you can use your stock pads, you will need brackets and rotors, which I might be able to source for you if you are interested.

as for pads.... I have HPS right now.. not too bad... but i was surprised by the bite of the stoptech pads i put on my buddies corolla, not sure how they after they are heat soaked, but the initial bit and regular driving was quite nice.

 

Thanks for the advice. I autocross every now and again so I figured I would do a small upgrade to the brakes, but I'm not sure when I'll be increasing power so I know I don't need anything too crazy. I never knew much about the stainless brake lines, but it sounds like it's not anything that makes a big difference so I might just skip them. They're about ~$100 for all for corners and I would rather buy other stuff with that anyway.

What are the stoptech pads are you referring to? The "street performance" ones?

 

I run dba rotors in the front with hps+ pads they work good but they dust alot which I have heard the stoptechs will work as good but not dust as much......

 

+1 on the dba rotors all corners +ss lines. i ran hps pads and was very satisfied. now i run hp+; i like them a lot too but they are very aggressive on the rotor; noisy as hell and forget keeping the wheels clean.

the pro's of those pads: great modulation, once they reach operating temp they stop making noise and just keep stopping the car consistently without much fade. keep in mind that the hp+ aren't really made for every day driving, unless you really drive spiritedly on a regular basis

 

Thanks for all the input guys, it has been helpful. I'm going to order the stoptech pads with new rotors up front (probably centric). I'm not sure I want to pay the premium for the DBA rotors...I'm not convinced the price of the DBA's outweigh the performance of them over the Centric rotor.

I'm hoping to use the savings to get some better tires (autocross) or a tune.

 

i have ebc rotors they are slotted and dimpled and i love the, i used to have the hawk his pads and i wasn't too impressed with them, i gave some generic ones from michelin tire and they are legit