Better brakes (not bigger)

**DemonWRX** · 12-27-2011 02:41 PM

I would like to upgrade the brakes on my '11 WRX to 4 or 6 pot squeezers, but want to keep stock (or near to stock) rotor size/type. Yes, the uber large cross-drilled and slotted Brembos look sweet, but I don't need that, don't want to pay 3K+ for them, and don't want to completely nix my stock wheels. Does anyone know of a package/maker that offers just upgraded calipers, but on stock-ish disks?

**Rambo** · 12-27-2011 04:10 PM

What pads are you using now? I found that upgrading pads, fluid, SS lines, and the master cylinder brace helped tremendously with braking response and feel. They certainly stop faster over stock, as my OEM pads were almost completely shot.

Anyway, all of that will cost just a few hundred bucks, so it might be worth a shot before you spring for new calipers.

As an FYI, I have Hawk HPS pads (but I'd recommend the StopTechs, personally), ATE SuperBlue fluid (fantastic), StopTech SS lines, and Grimmspeed brace.

**DemonWRX** · 12-27-2011 04:20 PM

currently running all stock for brakes, and thus far have not had any issues. If I keep the stock calipers I was planning on getting the Ferodo 2500 pads, but I really would like to upgrade the calipers to 4 pot ones if at all possible. And the GrimmSpeed brace is on my list too, as are some SS lines and new fluid

**EJ257** · 12-27-2011 05:32 PM

For DD situations...

Stopping distance: Tires
Pedal feel: Pads / Lines / Fluid / Brace
Bling: Calipers / Rotors

Upgrade as you see fit.

Calipers can help with fade, if that's an issue, but on a DD vehicle, it likely isn't.

**kukusz** · 12-27-2011 09:20 PM

Unless you are tracking the car, upgrading brakes will only help with feel, not stopping distance/power. The stock brakes can lock out and go to ABS, no need for more power. Hmm, so what EJ257 said.

**jgardiner** · 12-28-2011 08:41 AM

Willwood makes a four-pot kit for the front that will fit under 17" wheels and are currently developing a kit for the rear.

Wilwood Big Brake Kit Group Buy!

**DemonWRX** · 12-28-2011 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by EJ257

For DD situations...

Stopping distance: Tires
Pedal feel: Pads / Lines / Fluid / Brace
Bling: Calipers / Rotors

Upgrade as you see fit.

Calipers can help with fade, if that's an issue, but on a DD vehicle, it likely isn't.

Yes, I know tires make the biggest difference in stopping power (been here long enough to read all those threads/arguments), and I am not too worried about pedal feel as long as the brakes work, though I do have the pads/lines/brace upgrade on my to do list. I am not really wanting the bling factor either as I would prefer blank rotors and the calipers to be silver (or graphite) with no logo, I just really dislike the look of the stock mono-pot calipers on the WRX, not to mention that the outside of the caliper (visible, right behind the wheel) shows a deposit of what appears to be light surface rust. I have had 'fade' one time in the car, but it was while slowing from 'way too fast', and I likely will not be doing that again anytime soon.

Originally Posted by jgardiner

Willwood makes a four-pot kit for the front that will fit under 17" wheels and are currently developing a kit for the rear.

Wilwood Big Brake Kit Group Buy!

That is nice to know they have an option available, though I don't want 'big brakes' I want better calipers for the stock size rotors. I had surfed through Wilwood's site, as well as Baer's and Brembo's, neither Wilwood or Baer listed any fitment for Subaru.

Brembo had some that fit Subarus, but only the gaudy massive big kits, which is not really what I was looking for, and way too expensive.

I did see that Wilwood had replacement calipers for like '60s through '80s American cars that fit stock rotors, I wonder if any would be compatible? I guess I will have to contact them and ask, seems that they at least have a record somewhere on the full dimensions of the WRX around the wheel/hub/suspension area.

I also saw that Baer had a few kits that are said to fit under like 14' wheels, They are still kind of gaudy, but atleast they are 'normal' sized. Plus, they are better priced than Brembo, but again, no clue if they would fit the WRX wheel/hub/suspension area.

I was kind of hoping that maybe SPT, Hawk, Ferodo, Stoptech, or DBA (I would say STi, but I know those are re-branded Brembos) might have calipers that I was just not seeing in my searches, but they seem to only make pads and rotors.

**EJ257** · 12-28-2011 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by DemonWRX

Yes, I know tires make the biggest difference in stopping power (been here long enough to read all those threads/arguments), and I am not too worried about pedal feel as long as the brakes work, though I do have the pads/lines/brace upgrade on my to do list. I am not really wanting the bling factor either as I would prefer blank rotors and the calipers to be silver (or graphite) with no logo, I just really dislike the look of the stock mono-pot calipers on the WRX, not to mention that the outside of the caliper (visible, right behind the wheel) shows a deposit of what appears to be light surface rust. I have had 'fade' one time in the car, but it was while slowing from 'way too fast', and I likely will not be doing that again anytime soon.

Nothing wrong with wanting to upgrade your car aesthetically. The OE rotors are pretty bland. The 4-pots are a nice happy medium. Look through the classifieds for someone doing a part-out or who upgraded to Brembos.

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**DemonWRX** · 12-28-2011 11:15 AM

What should I be looking for? I'm not sure if there were any 4pot OE for the 2011? I know about the stock and the brembo upgrade, but that was all....

**jgardiner** · 12-28-2011 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by DemonWRX

What should I be looking for? I'm not sure if there were any 4pot OE for the 2011? I know about the stock and the brembo upgrade, but that was all....

The only 4-pot OE for the 2011 was on the STI and those require an 18" wheel to clear.

The Willwood kit I mentioned earlier is the best one that I have found so far. You do have to buy their rotors, but they are very close to the stock size. I am waiting to see what their rear kit looks like as I would like to do all four corners.

You can use the stock 2011 WRX rotors with any 02-07 Subaru 4-pot caliper, they will just bolt on, but there is nothing that will fit the rear yet without machining.