05 LGT Brake upgrade to 98 BD. Backing plate? Bracket?

[RandyMarsh303]

I just came across a good deal on 05 LGT rotors and calipers and snatched them up. After reading the upgrade sticky in this forum im confused as to whether or not I need a bracket, new backing plate, or nothing for the rear. Same question for the front as well, is it the same bracket for this upgrade as the WRX upgrade? I feel like the backing plate is the better option if its "either or". Any information quickly would be awesome because I would like to lock this all down today if possible. and I know I need 17's because of the caliper height.

Thanks

[jamal]

the calipers should come with brackets. the bracket is the thing that the pads sit in and bolts to the uprights. They bolt on and you don't need anything. just to trim/bend/remove the dust shields.

[RandyMarsh303]

Well I know what the caliper bracket is, I was asking about an adapter bracket such as the ones by kartboy. Sorry if that was not clear enough. Could not pass up the deal he wanted 40 for each caliper and 15 for each rotor 225 out the door. He still had to pull them from the car so when I returned to pick them up he included everything but the front backing plates. Front+Rear dust covers, rear backing plates, and Front+Rear hubs all for 225. Am I just in the dark here or is this a good deal because if this is the going rate for this upgrade I would suggest everyone finding some. I was blown away by the size of the caliper and rotors in the front. Pads even have good life on them if i decide to run those for a while. So my question is can I use these hubs and just plug and play the whole setup? Is it worth using the new hub? I just figured they were half they age so it couldnt hurt. What is the best course of action here ...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/IMAG0002-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/IMAG0003-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/IMAG0013-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/IMAG0012-1.jpg

[rougeben83]

you cant use the 05 hubs on your car. I think the backing plate works though. If not, some backing plates from a 06-07 wrx should work.

You got a great deal, the fronts alone fetch around 250 on lgt.com...

[mike-tracy]

The brackets just bolt on to your fronts and rear. You'll have to bend, trim, or remove your rear dust shields.

I think the reason more people don't use that upgrade is because they require 17's and add about 50lbs to the weight of the car. They make your car much more front brake biased, however you can change that balance by putting aggressive pads on the rear and standards on the front. (the link to the brakemath file isn't working ATM, or I'd link to it) If you're into tarmac racing these are prob the best upgrade on the cheap, however.

The rears are interesting because they're the H6 size but ventilated. Couple those rears with 02-05 WRX fronts and you have a well balanced setup.

Link to the file for when the site is back online:

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... kemath.xls (http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/techinfo/brakemath.xls)

edit: link is back online. Now that I can see it, looks like you only gain 4.1% frontward torque so that isn't as bad as I remembered.

[RandyMarsh303]

Good to know about the hubs and the deal. I guess I will be trying to sell off the hubs then.

Getting conflicting information about the fitment of the caliper. rougeben is saying the backing plates need to be changed and Mike is saying that they bolt direct. Based on the sticky it seemed as if the rears bolt on direct (with the exception of trimming the dust shield) but that the front required some form of bracket or the backing plate. Sorry for the bullSh!it, I guess this could be solved by me taking the wheel and caliper off and testing....but figured it was easier to ask

I Guess I can see the idea behind the weight because that also shocked me how heavy they were. I fit into the category of a great upgrade for cheap. I asked them about the 4/2 pots and they said they dont get many of the 06-07 WRX, but last time they had one they sold the whole setup for $400!!! Gave him my number and told him the moment some came in to call me. So hopefully this 05 setup will be a temporary thing.

As for the brake bias when inputting performance street pads for the rear, the brake torque swings to 19.85% rearward. Is this to much of a swing in the opposite direction? Also on the same note changing the front to 02-05 WRX changes it to 2.13% rearward, is this small change in percentage that big of a difference? or is it merely a better setup because it comes closer to zero and swings the torque rearward? Is there a ratio to be shooting for? Just want clarification for educational purposes, trying to fully understand the whole brake physics thing....

[mike-tracy]

I believe Rougeben is talking about getting backing plates that fit the rotors properly.

Here's mine with the same size backing plates as your car, but with the WRX rotor:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/P5160006-1.jpg

Here's a guide on brakes by our very own ChucktheFuk, with lots of pictures!
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=20576 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=20576)

and another written by our very own Jamal:
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=36289

As far as the brake balance go, I feel (and I'm not alone) that Subarus are way too front brake biased. Now that the brake math file is up, obviously you can see that putting performance pads on the rear is a bad idea. In other makes and models I've owned you could modify (or buy an aftermarket) the brake proportioning valve to adjust the split. On Legacy sedans you can swap in one from a wagon for more rearward distribution. It's kind of a black science to me, but the results are noticeable: less nosedive and abs doesn't kick in as soon.



(oh look chuck, guess there is some rust on my 91 after all, lol)

[RandyMarsh303]

Well thank thank for the information and I will be getting a BPV from a wagon and swap it in at the same time as everything else. I am going to try and see if I can use the dust covers that came with this setup just because of the mountain driving and snow it cant hurt to have it on there. If not then no big deal. Now I just need to get tires for my 17"s and gr2+H&Rs and the whole thing will be set to go. Then I can finally start thinking about some more powa captain!

[geckoboy86]

On Legacy sedans you can swap in one from a wagon for more rearward distribution. It's kind of a black science to me, but the results are noticeable: less nosedive and abs doesn't kick in as soon.

HHmmm....what about a Wagon WRX one?

[mike-tracy]

^^I haven't tried that but it should work unless the brake line fittings are totally different.

[r3v_v3ng3]

I have the same setup. It bolts right up, just have to remove the rear dust shield like others says. I also used the gc8 ss brake lines and the only problem i have is routing them for the rears. When I switch coilovers I'll take pics on how I routed the lines. BTW you should also grab the rear diff carrier if its cheap (only if it matches your gear ratio), it also bolts right up and its vlsd.

[RandyMarsh303]

oh sweet. Can anyone help me figure out if the gear ratios match. the 05 gt is a 5speed and my 98 gt is an auto so does that rule it out? wanting to do a manual swap anyway so wondering if its worth looking into the parts and accessory's for said swap. I love a good parts stockpile hehe :twisted:

[mike-tracy]

your GT auto has a rear end final drive of 4.44, and the 05 LGT is 4.11 I believe. You can get the right rear end off most 90s subarus that come with the 2.5 engine and a manual. The 02-05 WRX with an automatic also has a 4.11 rear end, and is a viscous LSD. Note you'll also need a 2nd generation legacy manual driveshaft as well.

[RandyMarsh303]

Thank you for the info Mike! Im going to keep this in mind when building my swap pile.

[lord flashheart]

mike has a pretty good knowledge of auto to 5mt swaps. he helped supply some of the parts when i did my first 5mt swap.