Rotors and Pads! Looking to upgrade

[thepants1337]

Hey all,

So I will soon be going stage II in my 2012 WRX and soon afterward (after selling my motorcycle) I'm looking to do the suspension and improve my braking ability. I'm not interested in Brembos (just not the price range for me) but have been enticed by stoptech, hawk, and Wilwood so far. I'm looking for the whole setup, pads rotors calipers. I guess what I was interested in knowing is

1. Will a 14" x 1.25" Rotor fit in the stock wheels for the wrx (i believe they are the 17s).

2. What do you recommend for faster breaking in a DD? (I'm not married the 14" rotors just under the impression of bigger=better)

Thanks for any advice,
Thepants

[pzr2874]

I'd try better pads/fluid and braided lines over replacing the rotors right now.

I've recently been impressed by Centric rotors and EBC's.... But IIRC, EBC's on WRX's don't perform all that well and many go to Hawk or Ferrodo

Breaking will only be as good as your tires.... Rule of thumb

[mazzanic]

+1 ^^ so many people forget about rubber (in all aspects lol).

[brfatal]

EBCs perform fine. That being said, larger rotors don't make you stop faster.

[thepants1337]

Thanks for all the info, so as a starter I should probably just look at braided lines and breaking fluid? For the pads would you recommend either Hawk or Stoptech? Or is there another supplier that is preferred?

And as for rubber: I'm currently running the Bridgestone Blizzaks WS-60 (not 100% on version) and I'll be switching to the OEM Summer tires in about a month or so. When I get home I can update on what the OEM's are

[pzr2874]

I didn't like the HPS ceramics (they were loud) on the STi and didn't stop ME very well(long story)

I like my EBC Reds.... Low dust as well.

But yes, braided lines and Motul or SuperBlue

[mosc]

I like the hawk HPS pads. Very low dust.

[wagonracer]

Originally Posted by pzr2874

I'd try better pads/fluid and braided lines over replacing the rotors right now.


Breaking will only be as good as your tires.... Rule of thumb

Correct sir, well put. Your OEM tires are a Dunlop SP sport 01. Decent grippy summer rubber, but not autocross or track worthy, really.

Braided lines, ATE super blue, and some performance pads will maximize anything short of an all out track tire.

[turmic]

I like my EBC Reds, but they are eatting up my rotors. I will definitely need new rotors when I change my pads. But, I don't get a lot of dust after I bedded in the pads. The first few hundred miles the pads were dusty as heck. Now, I just get a lot of road dust on my rims and the pads stop me just fine.

[pzr2874]

Do your EBC reds still squeal like a stuck pig sometimes?

[Vew]

Braided lines are one of my favorite mods. I also recommend Hawk HPS pads.

[brfatal]

Performance wise, Subaru OEM pads are better than Hawk HPSs. However, they do put out a whole lot less dust. It depends on what you're looking for, clean wheels/sides or better performance.

[newtothegame]

I must have gotten the worst set of Hawk pads then. Mine create so much dust its embarassing to drive the car sometimes. I do run DBA slotted rotors, but I know that I will not EVER be running Hawks pads again.

[turmic]

Originally Posted by pzr2874

Do your EBC reds still squeal like a stuck pig sometimes?

Only the first couple hundred miles. When I first put them on. The rear pads were so close to the rotor that they would rub slightly and squeal when I went over bumps in the road. It was very annoying...but, its gone now.

My car doesn't see use each day. So, my rotors and pads make a slight grind once I'm back behind the wheel again on my days off normally. But, its just grinding off the rust from sitting for 4 days. After about one or two times stopping its back to normal.

[thepants1337]

Hey turmic,

I live in the Harrisburg area not far from you, are there subbie groups in our area? I wouldn't mind meeting others in the area for advice etc. Plus I'll be trying to DIY as much as possible.