I'm considering this upgrade. Our Volvo has discs all around and grabby (but dusty) pads. It's nice to have on a heavy fast turbo car like that, but will it really matter on a lighter, feebler OBS? Is the main advantage the ability to put better pads all around, not just the fronts?

I've already upgraded to WRX brakes on the front. With Toyo T1S on in the summer, I can't get the ABS to kick in on pavement, so tires are no longer the weak link. Better pads upfront would cause even more brake dive. Next step might be upgrading rears. Any comment?

Jim

 

It will make a difference yes. If you have an OBS, then the brake kit you want would be a the same setup that the 2.5RS' have in the rear. Once you put on the rear kit, you will also open up to more pad options.

 

2 reasons why i'd upgrade to discs in the rear are more reliable braking force and changing pads on disc brakes is so much easier than changing pads on drum brakes.

Drums have better initial brake torq but they have horrible fade, almost exponentially. Where as the disc brakes are nearly linear in terms of fade.

 

Finally did this swap. A little better feel, maybe less brake dive, and no obvious bias or rear lockup problems. Still not as good as the Volvo, but a noticable improvement. Haven't tested for fade yet, though. Next up are better pads.

Jim

 

You'll probably never fade the rears before the fronts. Don't sweat it too much. You won't need super great rear pads until you are running on a track with REALLY sticky tires. Then better pads may actually affect your stopping distance.