Why is everyone looking for a rear brake kit?
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Why is everyone looking for a rear brake kit?
I keep seeing this question come up time and again. Why do you need a rear brake kit?
It's not with respect to braking power, the stock rear brakes are fine, since they are not doing much work in stopping the car in general.
It's not temperature related. We run the stock rear brakes in the USTCC car with no issues whatsoever. Other than braided lines and a hotter pad, there's nothing more that the stock rears need.
Is it just for looks? With all the great performance improving parts available for the WRX, I can think of MANY things I'd rather spend money on.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
It's not with respect to braking power, the stock rear brakes are fine, since they are not doing much work in stopping the car in general.
It's not temperature related. We run the stock rear brakes in the USTCC car with no issues whatsoever. Other than braided lines and a hotter pad, there's nothing more that the stock rears need.
Is it just for looks? With all the great performance improving parts available for the WRX, I can think of MANY things I'd rather spend money on.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
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From: Mann Engineering, Santa Clara, CA
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I think that for some it is a look issue.
But honestly, after I put on the Subaru 2pot rear brake kit on my car, I have found that the brakes seem to be better balanced on the car. I have the Subaru 4pots up front also. I have also noticed that my car does not nose dive as much as it once did when I only had just 4pots on the front.
I agree that the StopTech kit achieves a good balance as well. I have it on my WRX. It is a kit that I recommend to others because I have experience with it.
I do agree that it is expensive to get that rear kit on because you need to disassemble the whole rear end, i.e. hubs and bearings need to be pulled to get to the dust sheild.
But honestly, after I put on the Subaru 2pot rear brake kit on my car, I have found that the brakes seem to be better balanced on the car. I have the Subaru 4pots up front also. I have also noticed that my car does not nose dive as much as it once did when I only had just 4pots on the front.
I agree that the StopTech kit achieves a good balance as well. I have it on my WRX. It is a kit that I recommend to others because I have experience with it.
I do agree that it is expensive to get that rear kit on because you need to disassemble the whole rear end, i.e. hubs and bearings need to be pulled to get to the dust sheild.
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Originally posted by ImprezaRSDriver
I do agree that it is expensive to get that rear kit on because you need to disassemble the whole rear end, i.e. hubs and bearings need to be pulled to get to the dust sheild.
I do agree that it is expensive to get that rear kit on because you need to disassemble the whole rear end, i.e. hubs and bearings need to be pulled to get to the dust sheild.
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Akiata,
Are you referring to the Legacy rear brake kit setup?
Let me clarify myself, I was referring to having the 2pot kit installed. On the rear end of the car. And no the 2pots do not bolt up to the stock dust shield.
I also do not believe that breaking off the whelded joints of the dust shield is a good idea either. Even though I know that there are many out there that have done it. If I want to do an upgrade to any part of the car, I want to do it the "proper" way. If you know what I mean?
Are you referring to the Legacy rear brake kit setup?
Let me clarify myself, I was referring to having the 2pot kit installed. On the rear end of the car. And no the 2pots do not bolt up to the stock dust shield.
I also do not believe that breaking off the whelded joints of the dust shield is a good idea either. Even though I know that there are many out there that have done it. If I want to do an upgrade to any part of the car, I want to do it the "proper" way. If you know what I mean?
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Re: Why is everyone looking for a rear brake kit?
Originally posted by GarySheehan
I keep seeing this question come up time and again. Why do you need a rear brake kit?
I keep seeing this question come up time and again. Why do you need a rear brake kit?
I used to drive an '86 Shelby (Dodge) GLHS. I spoke with the Shelby technicians on a couple of occasions, asking if they were ever going to develop a rear disc brake kit to replace the factory drums. Short answer - "You don't need 'em." I wanted the *convenience* of being able to change the rear brake pads as easily as the fronts. Turns out I never had to touch the rear brakes except to pull the drums off once a year to inspect them. Over the eleven years I owned the GLHS, I went through at least 4 sets of factory front pads (better than anything found at a neighborhood auto parts store) but never wore the original rear shoes down to less than about 30%!
I'm not pleased with the factory front brakes on my WRX, but my first modification will be stickier tires. I suspect that I'll eventually bite the bullet and go with a wheel that can accomodate the StopTech kit, but not in the near future. If I can get what I deem to be adequate stopping power from the stock tire/wheel size, I'll retain the WRX rims. Yes, this means not going as deep into those corners coming back from Tahoe, but big wheels, tires, and brakes cost money!!!
--
WW
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I've heard that having the front 4 pots and rear 1 piston calipers throws off the ABS because the ratio is different. I personally have 4 pots in the front and stock rear, and doesn't effect it enough to spend that kind of money for the rear. If they ever come down enough in price I'll buy one though, mainly for appearance.
lvb4udi
lvb4udi
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Voodoo. The same reason they want strut tower bars. Because people like to go for things that aren't necessarily grounded in reality. I don't know that you need bigger rear brakes, even if you go for a monster front brake kit, though as long as you're spending the dosh, you might as well.
I have the factory 4-pots with the stock binders at the rear of my WRX wagon, with the STi suspension kit and my car brakes wonderfully. There is no imbalance and everything works perfectly.
I like that people are admitting that it's for looks. I wish that people did that with more mods.
Kevin
I have the factory 4-pots with the stock binders at the rear of my WRX wagon, with the STi suspension kit and my car brakes wonderfully. There is no imbalance and everything works perfectly.
I like that people are admitting that it's for looks. I wish that people did that with more mods.
Kevin
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Subaru seems to think the WRX works best with 2-pot rear calipers with a larger rotor than we get here in america. To some extent this is to keep balance with their 4-pot fixed calipers compared to our 2-pot sliding calipers in america, but if Subaru seems to think it's a good idea when the front brakes are better, sounds like a good idea to take their advice.
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Originally posted by ImprezaRSDriver
Akiata,
Are you referring to the Legacy rear brake kit setup?
Let me clarify myself, I was referring to having the 2pot kit installed. On the rear end of the car. And no the 2pots do not bolt up to the stock dust shield.
I also do not believe that breaking off the whelded joints of the dust shield is a good idea either. Even though I know that there are many out there that have done it. If I want to do an upgrade to any part of the car, I want to do it the "proper" way. If you know what I mean?
Akiata,
Are you referring to the Legacy rear brake kit setup?
Let me clarify myself, I was referring to having the 2pot kit installed. On the rear end of the car. And no the 2pots do not bolt up to the stock dust shield.
I also do not believe that breaking off the whelded joints of the dust shield is a good idea either. Even though I know that there are many out there that have done it. If I want to do an upgrade to any part of the car, I want to do it the "proper" way. If you know what I mean?
I know what you mean about doing things right but there is a line between doing it right and being stupid. It's not going to make any differerence if you brake the welds off or spend hours removing the rear end of the car, once you get the wheel on you will never know. But I get what you are saying.
p@
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I have the larger, WRX sized rotors/caliper brackets on my 01RS only because my wife's Outback Wagon LTD came with them. Freebie upgrade for me. . I have the 4 pot fronts. I'll also be running my Shelby Cobra replica this coming year. Rears are drums and they'll be fine. Some of the factory cars ran with the same rear drums.
jack
. I have the 4 pot fronts. I'll also be running my Shelby Cobra replica this coming year. Rears are drums and they'll be fine. Some of the factory cars ran with the same rear drums.jack
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i want to change rear brakes cause i have ****ty drums in the back....
granted i believe i'm still on the stock drums and shoes at 80K miles... but they're worn down and won't pass inspection i'm sure, and the drum is all rusted and such,
also drums get clogged w/ dirt and mud if you do much off road driving, through deep mud (how the drums got rusted to begin w/), this doesn't happen w/ disc's they're self cleaning basically...
my reasons are more than most
but cosmetics also go for when i upgrade away from my crappy steel wheels to some rota atacks for street use....
granted i believe i'm still on the stock drums and shoes at 80K miles... but they're worn down and won't pass inspection i'm sure, and the drum is all rusted and such,
also drums get clogged w/ dirt and mud if you do much off road driving, through deep mud (how the drums got rusted to begin w/), this doesn't happen w/ disc's they're self cleaning basically...
my reasons are more than most
but cosmetics also go for when i upgrade away from my crappy steel wheels to some rota atacks for street use....
Thread Starter
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From: SF Bay Area
Car Info: 2005 Subaru STI
Pimp,
As most here know, we are using the Stoptech BBK (328mmx28mm 2-piece Aerorotors & ST-40 calipers) on the front and the stock rear set-up. We run Pagid RS-14 pads in the front and custom cut Hawk HT-10 pads in the rear. We use Castrol SRF synthetic brake fluid.
We have had no heat related issues with our rear brakes whatsoever.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
As most here know, we are using the Stoptech BBK (328mmx28mm 2-piece Aerorotors & ST-40 calipers) on the front and the stock rear set-up. We run Pagid RS-14 pads in the front and custom cut Hawk HT-10 pads in the rear. We use Castrol SRF synthetic brake fluid.
We have had no heat related issues with our rear brakes whatsoever.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com