Where to start on brake upgrades, 99 Legacy L SDN...
04-05-2004, 10:39 PM
#1
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Where to start on brake upgrades, 99 Legacy L SDN...
Hi,
I thought I should post this w/ the Legacy section since most brake posts seem to be about the WRX's. (If i've misposted this here, please excuse and move it.)
I'm considering how to upgrade the brakes on my 99 Legacy Sdn.. It is a 5spd, 2.2l w/factory 15" 5 spokes & tires. The car has 98.5K on it, still has original rear pads. Front & rear rotors are original, no brake pulse/ wobble. Just got it inspected, they advised replacing rotors before next inspection. I'd like to upgrade the performance and stopping ability of the car, but we don't autocross or anything. We don't really need to go w/ a big brake kit, and budget is a factor. May have a 3rd mouth to feed in about 8 mos. This is mostly my wife's driver, mine is a Ranger w/ 156K, and we've been trying to restore my 80's Buick Regal Turbo.
Questions I'd really appreciate opinions on:
1. good, reputable street performance replacement rotors (F/R)
2. Improved brake pads
3. Do I need to upgrade calipers, and if so, how?
Thanks so much for your advice and help.
My wife loves this car and doesn't want to replace it for quite a while if we can help it!
-Mike
99 Legacy 30th L Sdn., 2.2l 5spd
I thought I should post this w/ the Legacy section since most brake posts seem to be about the WRX's. (If i've misposted this here, please excuse and move it.)
I'm considering how to upgrade the brakes on my 99 Legacy Sdn.. It is a 5spd, 2.2l w/factory 15" 5 spokes & tires. The car has 98.5K on it, still has original rear pads. Front & rear rotors are original, no brake pulse/ wobble. Just got it inspected, they advised replacing rotors before next inspection. I'd like to upgrade the performance and stopping ability of the car, but we don't autocross or anything. We don't really need to go w/ a big brake kit, and budget is a factor. May have a 3rd mouth to feed in about 8 mos. This is mostly my wife's driver, mine is a Ranger w/ 156K, and we've been trying to restore my 80's Buick Regal Turbo.
Questions I'd really appreciate opinions on:
1. good, reputable street performance replacement rotors (F/R)
2. Improved brake pads
3. Do I need to upgrade calipers, and if so, how?
Thanks so much for your advice and help.
My wife loves this car and doesn't want to replace it for quite a while if we can help it!
-Mike
99 Legacy 30th L Sdn., 2.2l 5spd
04-08-2004, 03:35 PM
#2
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I run Subaru 4 pots, factory pads, and dba WRX rotors up front.
Rear is stock, except for cross drilled rotors.
I drive the car hard over mountain roads and have no problems with this set up.
The down side was the initial $$ outlay; roughly $1500. But that included new wheels & tires to clear the calipers.
I suspect that stock WRX calipers & dba rotors would be sufficient for your car.
Whatever you do, avoid cheap rotors.
Paul
Rear is stock, except for cross drilled rotors.
I drive the car hard over mountain roads and have no problems with this set up.
The down side was the initial $$ outlay; roughly $1500. But that included new wheels & tires to clear the calipers.
I suspect that stock WRX calipers & dba rotors would be sufficient for your car.
Whatever you do, avoid cheap rotors.
Paul
04-08-2004, 05:44 PM
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Originally posted by Oaf
....I suspect that stock WRX calipers & dba rotors would be sufficient for your car.
Whatever you do, avoid cheap rotors.
Paul
....I suspect that stock WRX calipers & dba rotors would be sufficient for your car.
Whatever you do, avoid cheap rotors.
Paul
If so, that's good news for some brake upgrades i'm planning.
04-08-2004, 05:58 PM
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i think you actually need the caliper brackets from the WRX to bolt the calipers to the legacy. if you need a set of calipers, i've still got a set for sale but the brackets have been sold.
04-08-2004, 06:08 PM
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Originally posted by dropkick_muppet
i think you actually need the caliper brackets from the WRX to bolt the calipers to the legacy. if you need a set of calipers, i've still got a set for sale but the brackets have been sold.
i think you actually need the caliper brackets from the WRX to bolt the calipers to the legacy. if you need a set of calipers, i've still got a set for sale but the brackets have been sold.
04-08-2004, 11:36 PM
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Originally posted by NewfieGT
....so the WRX calipers actually just bolt on to the stock Legacy mounting brackets? If so, that's good news for some brake upgrades i'm planning.
....so the WRX calipers actually just bolt on to the stock Legacy mounting brackets?
If so, that's good news for some brake upgrades i'm planning.
04-09-2004, 12:21 PM
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here is the thing: the Subuar 4 pots have the mounting points built into the caliper -- the 2 pots don't. the two pot calipers use a seperate mounting bracket to attach the caliper to the hub carrier. i'm pretty sure that you'd need the WRX caliper brackets to bolt a WRX caliper to a Legacy. however, with the brackets, calipers and rotor, it would be a straight bolt on.
04-09-2004, 03:19 PM
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just go w/ the stock WRX calipers and rotors w/ an upgraded pad and SS lines, dont get slotted rotors, they will eat your pads alive
04-09-2004, 03:20 PM
#10
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oh yeah, and all you need to swap the front brakes off a WRX is the bracket, your car already has the correct size caliper (Im in the same situation, my WRX brakes are waiting install right now and I realized the calipers are the same).
04-11-2004, 07:21 PM
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Originally posted by whitelegacy98
...dont get slotted rotors, they will eat your pads alive
...dont get slotted rotors, they will eat your pads alive
I did the upgrade just over a year ago, which translates into about 25K miles. Pads have approx 30% - 50% left on them & the rotors have a little ridge starting to form. I would call my driving style "very spirited", as I get to enjoy 20 miles of twisties every day.
Of course, your results may vary depending on how you drive.
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