1999 Legacy sedan brake swaps...WRX? STI? Others?!?!?

[harrymaneuvers]

So I have the 30th anniversary which kinda cut corners with giving me 15" rims with the brake setup of a 14" wheel (thanks to two trips to autozone who based my breakpads on my wheel size)... I am looking at doing a brake overhaul and was wondering (because i live close to a great subaru dismatler), which would be EASIEST and most beneficial to put on my baby... obviously anything would be a step up from my single pistons. Im looking to stick with stock upgrades like sti, wrx, spec-b or even a SUS or SVX or similar GT if there was enough advantage... Calipers, brackets, Rotors ect.


Thanks in advance,

[Brockley]

I would go with WRX... thats what I use,,, or GT/RS stuff... a little cheaper pads...

[impreza_GC8]

2.5RS and Outback should be the same from what I can tell. WRX will be where the largest upgrade will be. 02-03 WRX brakes are cheap, they have larger rotors and use the same caliper as a 2.5RS (at least they did in 02 due to the carryover of parts) so all you need are the right calipers and the correct caliper brackets to space the calipers out over the larger WRX rotor. Honestly, I'm not sure how great of an advantage they have because they add weight due to the larger rotor. You would benefit from a normal 2.5RS or Outback or Legacy GT brake upgrade. If you really feel like going big (but not Brembo big) you could do the newer Legacy 2.5GT turbo brakes, they are the largest brakes Subaru offers aside from the Brembos. You could go with an H-6 rear upgrade as well. Bear in mind you will need to run 17 wheels for this setup.

[decke48]

only option for clearing 15 inch wheels is GT/Outback or 2.5rs

[Huffer]

only option for clearing 15 inch wheels is GT/Outback or 2.5rs

Truth.

[Okin DaVanh]

only option for clearing 15 inch wheels is GT/Outback or 2.5rs

And thats what I did to my BK L wagon and Im lovin it!

[decke48]

only option for clearing 15 inch wheels is GT/Outback or 2.5rs

its a good combo over the smaller stuff, throw a good low dust/ high proformance pad in, and call it a day

[harrymaneuvers]

Done deal...

Thanks for the great advice!!!!

[4WDFun]

So do I need just the calipers from an outback, or the rotors as well?
Are the pads different than what I have on my L?

[Okin DaVanh]

So do I need just the calipers from an outback, or the rotors as well?
Are the pads different than what I have on my L?

Calipers, caliper brackets, rotors and pads.

[4WDFun]

Great, thanks. There is an outback at a local wreckers, I was gong to grab the front calipers and rear swaybar.

[4WDFun]

Sweet score, grabbed front calipers and rear sway bar. gonna have them rebuilt and go from there.

[warrior]

Another upgrade is steel braided lines.

I have a 99 GT w/16" rims and I put on 2005 WRX front Calipers, brackets, rotors and pads. That rotor looks so nice and snug inside the 16" rim.

I also have 2003 Outback rear brakes in the back that need to go on and braided lines as well. However, the biggest improvement was with the WRX brakes in the front.. holy wow, amazing stopping power.. can't wait to finish it up!

[ajfsgrl08]

only option for clearing 15 inch wheels is GT/Outback or 2.5rs

I assume that the brakes that i get need to be from a similar year car?
My car is a '99 Legacy L.

So front brakes from a '99 Outback will work fine? Do I need to use the caliper brackets or do the calipers bolt directly to the spindle? Are the calipers 2 pot?


Where is a good place to get braided lines? The originals have 163K on them, might as well upgrade them at the same time as the brakes.

[httrdd]

Good info guys keep it coming. Looking to do a good upgrade to my LGT soon.

[DarkPhoenix]

I am going with the WRX rotors and caliper brackets on my car, since I now have the Forester 16s on my car. I will get some before and after pics.

[httrdd]

Nice. Brake master cylinger the same as stock?

[Chausx]

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=20576
This is the best information i've found so far httrdd. To add to this the 02-03 wrx use the same caliper as a stock Legacy GT 97ish-02ish. From there the '03 legacy went to the larger diameter 2 piston calipers which is noted in the above link and so forth.

Also from what I've read it seems the BMC used in the 2 piston caliper legacies\wrx didn't change much at all until '05ish. So if you had a 2 piston caliper legacy then your BMC seems to be proficient for most of the braking systems available.

[DarkPhoenix]

Nice. Brake master cylinger the same as stock?

Yep, the only difference is the rotor size (10.7 on the LGT/OBW, 11.4 on the WRX) so the only changes are the bracket and rotor. Very cheap upgrade for our cars.

[httrdd]

Is the upgrade worth it? I can get the rotor/ caliper set up easy.

[harrymaneuvers]

I am going to be doing this upgrade sometime this month.

$150 for calipers and brackets all the way around (04 outback front and rears)
$120 for OEM brembo's all the way around
$115 for Techna Fit SS lines
$100 for stoptech ceramic pads all the way around.

Considering I was about to do rotors and pads anyways... it isnt too much difference to just do the whole upgrade.

[Chausx]

I'm thinking of doing the 05 LGT they have one of the largest rotors at 12.5" and the largest diameter calipers w\ 2 pistons. So if you looking for upgrade worthiness without going to STI brembo's and such then go that way. Then the rears are also one of the largest available and they are also vented! so the best bang that'll bolt right one with no mods is going to be 05+ LGT.

The only questions is will it all bolt up on the 16" leggies wheels....

[DarkPhoenix]

I'm thinking of doing the 05 LGT they have one of the largest rotors at 12.5" and the largest diameter calipers w\ 2 pistons. So if you looking for upgrade worthiness without going to STI brembo's and such then go that way. Then the rears are also one of the largest available and they are also vented! so the best bang that'll bolt right one with no mods is going to be 05+ LGT.

The only questions is will it all bolt up on the 16" leggies wheels....

That would be a negative sir. You need 17" rims to fit those due to the height of the calipers.

Is the upgrade worth it? I can get the rotor/ caliper set up easy.

IMHO, any brake upgrade is worth it. If you are planning on keeping 16s on the car, go with the WRX upgrade. If you are going to be upgrading to 17's go with the 05+ LGT brakes. Best bang for the buck out there.

[harrymaneuvers]

And again... 04 outback front and rears should clear my 15" L rims right?

[DarkPhoenix]

And again... 04 outback front and rears should clear my 15" L rims right?

Not without shaving the calipers in the front. They are 11.4" rotors, same as the WRX.

[Huffer]

And again... 04 outback front and rears should clear my 15" L rims right?

Not without shaving the calipers in the front. They are 11.4" rotors, same as the WRX.

Harry - I'm pretty sure I posted in one of your other threads, but:

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/legacy/le ... html#SPECS

BRAKES: all are 4 channel Anti-Lock Brakes
L:10.7" vented front disc, dual caliper piston, 11.3" rear disc.
GT: 11.4" vented front disc, dual caliper piston, 11.3" rear disc

TIRES, WHEELS:
L sedan and wagon 205/60R 15" all season, steel wheel
GT sedan and wagon 205/55R 16" all season, alloy wheel

So for your 15" wheels you will need to get 04 Legacy L brakes, not GT. The 04 Outback is:

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/o ... html#specs

Brakes: 4 channel Anti-lock abs - Heavy duty, dual caliper piston, 11.4" front disk, 11.3" rear disc.

Besides, for the stock EJ25 BD/BG/BK, the best brake upgrade in terms of brake size, cost and unsprung weight is:
if stock wheels are 15", then 2004 Legacy L brakes
if stock wheels are 16", then 2004 Legacy GT or Outback brakes

The 05 Legacy GT brakes are much bigger - 12.3 vented front disc, 11.3 vented rear disc - and you need 17" OEM wheels to clear. They are also a LOT heavier and therefore more of a performance hindrance for a STOCK ENGINE. Remember the 05 LGT puts out 250hp/tq.

By comparison, the 05 Legacy 2.5i comes with 10.5" front brakes and 10.6" solid rears. The 2.5i LIMITED gets the 11.4" front brakes but stays with the 10.6" solid rear. This car puts out 168hp.

What brake size do you think is applicable to the 95-99 BD/BG/BK USDM EJ25 then?

[DarkPhoenix]

+1

Huffer to the rescue. lol

[Chausx]

What brake size do you think is applicable to the 95-99 BD/BG/BK USDM EJ25 then?

Is this a rhetorical question?

+1 for this information though!

[harrymaneuvers]

Crystal clear. Thanks Huffer.

[Huffer]

You're welcome guys! I just hate seeing people throw money away needlessly. If you want to throw money away, throw it at me!