04' Forester brake upgrade

[nrwphoto]

I just bought a 2004 Forester with 16" aluminum wheels and it is in need of a little work. First thing on the list is new brakes.  Rather than just replacing the factory rotors and a new set of pads are there any simple upgrades that can be done, front and rear.  I have read that 06-07 WRX rotors and calipers might bolt right on. However I have not read a definite answer to this. Has anyone here done a similar upgrade?  I am looking for simple bolt on, no modifications and I don't want to brake the bank. Thanks

[1 Lucky Texan]

so many threads on brakes.

 

properly used and maintained OEM brake components ar excellent. what pads and tires are on the car now? crap tires and 'economy' pads and old fluid might be the problem now.

 

tell us more what you intend to do with the car. (racing, towing, bombing down mountain roads fully loaded with gear, etc.)

 

best brake upgrade is stickier tires.

Edited June 22, 2016 by 1 Lucky Texan

[golucky66]

I have to agree with 1 Lucky Texan. Usually factory set ups for brakes are more then enough for most people. Unless overheating them is going to be an issue, stopping comes down to tires and their traction more then anything. 

[Numbchux]

Agreed on it probably being overkill. Your car likely already has '03-'05 WRX front brakes on it. '06-'07 uses the same size front rotor, but a significantly larger caliper. This is arguably not an upgrade unless you are on a track, and even still, you probably don't have enough horsepower to build up enough heat in the system to see any real improvements.

 

 

But, if you do want to do it, the calipers will bolt right up. Rotors do not need to be changed.

 

Your wheels will probably not clear them. AFAIK, the only OE 16" wheel that will clear 4 pots are the 2 styles of 16x7 from the '98-'01 2.5RS, and not all 17s will either. Although it's not a diameter issue, so a small wheel spacer will resolve it.

[idosubaru]

Most Subaru brakes are interchangeable. Larger brakes require larger wheels to clear them.

 

Jamal has a great brake compilation thread.

 

It won't be an upgrade unless you're towing huge amounts or racing hardcore. Properly working brakes will lock the wheels for ABS/tires to stop the car. Different brakes can't "lock the wheels more" or make tires stickier. Braking performance for a daily driver comes down to tires.

[nrwphoto]

First off thanks to everyone who has replied. I completely agree that tires are a huge factor on all aspects of a vehicles performance.

 

... what pads and tires are on the car now?....

 

tell us more what you intend to do with the car. (racing, towing, bombing down mountain roads fully loaded with gear, etc.)

 

 

Currently the RR is metal to metal so it definitely needs new rotors and it has an old set of Cooper tires with 4/32 tread left. This is how I bought it.

 

No track days or high HP mods are planned. Just a  DD and weekend dirt road explorer, I will also be towing a boat (1800#) or small trailer (1600-2500#) at times.

 

I am used to exploring mountain roads with steep grades that often heat up and at times over tax factory brakes in the past. Often I switch to ceramic pads to help with brake fade.  I also have a history with 1980s Toyota 4x4 trucks where many parts are bolt on upgrades from Land Cruisers or newer V6 trucks. So I was wondering if it was similarly easy to upgrade the brakes on these Subarus or not.

 

Immediate plans are to go through the brakes, then replace the tires with good quality rubber. The struts/springs seem to be doing well at the moment.  The car also needs a head gasket replaced and the A/C fixed. All of which is why I got it so cheap. Cosmetically it is well cared for however.

 

Doing some research today I saw that the rear brakes can be upgraded from a Legacy H6. Legacy larger rotors, caliper bracket and Forester factory calipers. I assume this conversion uses the factory Forester pads? Anything else needed in this swap and what year Legacy are the brakes off of? Does the parking brake still work or do you have to swap that over too? Thanks 

[1 Lucky Texan]

factory pads are Akebono ceramic. For the same performance, i run Centric PosiQuiet Ceramic on our 03 H6 OBW. On my WRX, I run Stoptech Street performance. They dust more, but have a very high MOT for an affordable 'high performance' pad - plus, they maintain good cold initial bite and good modulation, noise free too. ferodo ,EBC , hawk, etc. also offer upgraded pads. Stay away from true 'race' pads - they often are very harsh on rotors, noisy, extremely dusty and often only 'bite' after warming-up.

 

If I needed rotors, I'd also shop for Centric - good value. If it can be turned and stay over the minimum thickness stamped on it, try to keep the OEM rotor. OEM is quality stuff - but a little pricey. Avoid any consumables labeled 'economy'. That stuff is for the guy selling or flipping cars or people who must save every penny.

 

do a search for brake-related threads, everyone has their own experiences/recommendations.

Edited June 23, 2016 by 1 Lucky Texan

[idosubaru]

pads match the caliper bracket as that's what actually holds the pads.  

 

as long as wheels clear and rotors have 5x100 bolt spacing you can use nearly any Subaru brake set up you want. 

reference jamal's brake thread on nasioc (and other forums though i'm not sure which is most updated/current).  

 

reference jamal's brake thread on nasioc (and other forums though i'm not sure which is most updated/current).