LGT ---> WRX brakes

[ESSYMOND]

Im running totally stock LGT brakes, what do I need to buy to switch to WRX brakes? I need a list of what to pick up, thanks!

i think the lgt have the same sized brakes..

if not you need rotors, calipers, caliper brackets

[TGX4776]

You want 02 wrx front roters and brackets. H6 rear roters and brackets. your stock calipers will work for both and you will get better stopping power due to the larger diameter while keeping costs down and maintaining good brake distribution.

[ESSYMOND]

Fronts:

- 02 WRX rotors and brackets

Rears:

- H6 rotors and brackets



that is all I need correct?

[TGX4776]

yes, That is what I was told when I asked they very question. However while you are at it put in some stainless brake lines.

[ESSYMOND]

am i able to have WRX brakes in the front and stock LGT brakes in the back?

yes

[green97gt]

Just curious why 02 wrx? What's special about that yr?

The 97 gt we have is needing front rotors And such so thinking about upgrading

[Grafton]

the lgt & early* wrx's have the same 2 pot calipers

*dont know what year off the top of my head

[rougeben83]

WRX 02-early 03 only. late 03 had a revised caliper, so did 04-05. 06-07 are 4 pots.

^ that

[mike-tracy]

Just curious why 02 wrx? What's special about that yr?
Ability to re-use your GT calipers & pads (D721).

For those who have done this, is this really an upgrade for a DD?

What you're getting is more heat absorbing potential, great for the track, but what about
as a DD? Does the pedal feel change? Or any other changes not accounted for by
installing new pads or the fresh fluid?

well, irrelevantly, its an upgrade from my tiny 1-pot L brakes

[mike-tracy]

well, irrelevantly, its an upgrade from my tiny 1-pot L brakes
I agree, I upgraded to 98 Outback fronts & rears (same as GT) on my 96 L, and the pedal feel is much improved. I'm just wondering if there's much if any benefit from the WRX rotors/bracket for those who already own LGT/Outback brakes.

[rougeben83]

There's a couple of ways to answer that question.

Having upgraded from 10.7" to 11.4" front rotors before (ie the same upgrade youre talking about), no, on a street driven DD there really isn't much to notice from the extra .7" of rotor, as most of the time people will notice the feel of the brakes rather than absolute stopping distance or fade resistance from repetitive use. In this case, pads and fluid have a bigger affect than just changing the rotor diameter.

The other way to answer this is that being 3000lb cars, there is a better chance of experiencing brake fade on the street from the smaller rotor since it has less heat capacity...of course this is dependent on the user's brake habits and conditions that they drive in (eg an aggressive brake user will experience fade more than a light user, mountain roads over simply highways, any sort of towing vs. none, heavier wheel/tire combo etc.), but having the bigger rotors will be a good upgrade on a "just in case" basis.

[mike-tracy]

^^ So is there a change in pedal feel by switching from 10.7's to 11.4's, all else being the same?

[ESSYMOND]

oh, thanks for all the help...

since theres not really a noticable differnce for DD then I guess I'll just get better pads instead of upgrading to wrx

[ShadowGT]

OK, once more with feeling.
I want to tackle brake upgrades now. I understand I need Goodrich SS brake lines, that blue brake fluid or Motul.
Rotors, pads.. yeah I know. (Thinking Hawk, Stoptech, EBS)
Calipers and caliper brackets. Which year / car has the better brakes than the 98 GT Wagon? I want to keep my stock rims because I like them.

Thank god this thread was made. This car will remain my DD as well as eventually pulling RallyX events.

[Grafton]

the wrx rotor/brackets and the h6 rear brakes are your best bet for getting under the 16" snowflakes

personally i get the gt brakes very hot during autox and am considering going to the wrx rotor for that extra little bit of heat capacity

i will be doing the h6 rears soon to balance the braking a little bit

[ShadowGT]

If I'm keeping my LGT 2-pot calipers, wouldn't I just keep my caliper brackets as well and just put the larger diameter 02 WRX rotors in there?

Sorry if this sounds dumb but this "H6" brakes? Year and car model is that in my case?

[TGX4776]

^^^ I believe there would be a diameter issue if you do that. you need the new brackets in order to fit the calipers on the new roters.

[ShadowGT]

^^^ I believe there would be a diameter issue if you do that. you need the new brackets in order to fit the calipers on the new roters.

Ha, yeah I realized that just a second ago when I was re-reading what I posted. I didn't realized how that went together. The bracket holds the caliper in place. The 02 WRX caliper bracket makes enough room to remount the caliper and accommodate the slightly larger 02 WRX rotors.

[Grafton]

h6 refers to 01ish -04 outback rear brakes there is a diy on here somewhere

[rougeben83]

"H6" is a misnomer that got stuck to the upgrade since first WRX owners that first did this upgrade originally found them on 00-04 Outbacks (IE the "H6" motor legacy). All 00-04 Legacy's have these 11.4" solid rear brakes.