u should be fine with flushing the fluid and getting better pads wrx brakes are nice but not needed

 

I did Hawk HPS pads (they're one of the only aftermarket pads that fit 1 pots... No Stoptech or others), Centric rotors... since bedding in the pads to a fresh or resurfaced disc is REALLY important. I also had the fluid flushed. Made a world of difference.

I'd suggest not upgrading to WRX brakes in your case. You'll increase braking power and balance in the front, which seems like a great idea in theory, but if you leave the rear drums in place, you'll actually increase braking distance (or I should really say 'can' increase braking distance) from upsetting the balance.

You have two options:

1). Better pad materioal and fresh rotors up front, don't touch the back. Results in a noticeable improvement.

2). Go balls out and do the rear disc upgrade (hubs from an RS or L with them.. or even WRX possibly), get WRX rotors and calipers back there, upgrade the front with WRX calipers and rotors. This way, the setup will be even. Even then, you'll have some nose dive and need to do the H6 upgrade on top of that to even it out a lot if you want to do that. Results in better braking fade resistance... and some real stopping power increase due to the larger calipers and rotors.

I'd not suggest getting Rs calipers for the front as it's probably more work than what it's worth. It wouldn't be that big of an upgrade.. you might not be able to feel it.

I'd choose option #1 for a daily driver for sure.

 

it all depends on your goals and funds. 4/2 pots off an 06/07 wrx are great, but you're looking to pay a pretty penny, not to mention since you're going to need to swap rear hubs. it all depends what you want out of the car. by no means are 4/2 pots necessary, but then again they do make the car slow down dramatically quicker than the brakes you're running. ask yourself how much you're willing to spend, and how much work you can do yourself. the more you can do yourself, the cheaper it'll be. good luck man!

 

Option #1 sounds best, especially in my limited budget. Would ceramic pads be a good idea or should I just go with the Hawk pads and the Centric rotors?

Also any recommendation for rear brake shoes?

 

Street performance shoes.
:: #1 Race Specialist in The World :: »

 

I have a 97 and a 98. Same brakes but the 98 brakes better for whatever reason. Just picked up the 98 so haven't dissected things yet to see what it is, but I am guessing just pads because rotors and drums look stock.

used Hawk HPS with cryostop rotors and I don't see what people like about them? The HPS suck for street IMO. Already found that they don't make stoptech SPs for these models, but I run them on my WRX and they are possibly one of the best street pads out there - the formula for them came from another company though: Mintex. I am running Mintex on the rears.

It looks like Mintex makes front pads under the Akebono name for the GF as well as shoes for the rears.

brakebook.com - Mintex

 

I'l agree too... the HPS were not something to rave about. However, because upgrades for the early L and OBS aren't popular and are old (last time they made them were over 10 years ago), aftermarket options are REALLY limited.

The HPS work great when you put some effort on the petal. StopTechs on the other hand just bite better.. which is what most people are looking for in an aftermarket brake pad. If you can find another aftermarket pad for the 1 pots, go with it over the HPS.

 

If it happens to be that the 1 pots are better on a 98 then a 97 I may have a set sitting around if you want them I'll check when I get home after I saran wrap your car

 

I'm sort of in the same spot with my 97 OBS. I already have ceramic pads up front but the braking still sucks. Any reason nobody has brought up stainless steel brake lines yet? From what I've heard they help the pedal feel a lot more firm with a better initial bite.

 

Firmer pedal will not do anything for a crappy pad.

 

Yes but when was the last time you changed your brake fluid; SS lines are nice so are MC braces, larger brakes, bigger MC,and ABS delete; but all of those things are meaningless without good brake fluid and brakes are properly bleed.

 

For a fairly minimal investment, WRX brakes are a fantastic upgrade to an OBS. larger rotors and calipers up front are a complete bolt on, and the rear disc set up is far and away the best improvement over the pathetic drums. If you get everything complete, hubs, rotors, brackets and calipers, along with the emergency brake cables, it is a bolt-on affair with absolutely no fabrication or mods. The hardest part for me was pulling the carpet up to run the cable ends to my e-brake handle. With WRX brakes, you have so many more aftermarket rotors and pads available. I ran completely stock WRX brakes until the pads wore out, then switched to DBA 4000 slotted rotors and StopTech pads. Freakin' amazing.

 

^ literally just ordered StopTech pads with Centric rotors about an hour ago.. lol. I chose those rotors over the DBAs (T2 or T3) due to the price. I'm sure they bite harcore though.. haha.

 

I did all the normal bolt-on stuff, Grimmspeed Master Cylinder Brace was a fantastic feeling mod, but did nothing for stopping, Goodrich braided stainless brake lines again made it feel fantastic, but did nothing for stopping length. I've been through a few sets of pads too, some are great, but super dirty on the wheels, others were noisy and really great when hot, but not so much in normal traffic. I think I've achieved a pretty good balance now. Source a complete WRX brake set up from someone's part out, or go to the wrecking yard and pull it. There are lots of posts on this swap, so it's nothing new, but it is by far the best way to improve OBS stopping for cheap.

 

3000gt rear calipers+q45 sliding front calipers.
Yes it fits.
Yes this setup will clear 16" rims unlike STI brake upgrades.
Yes its cheap.
Yes its designed to stop 4k lb cars.

The rear disc conversion opens more pad options, but unless you do it yourself you're looking at a little $$.

Stainless lines are a must.

 

Doing the just wrx fronts until i can source all the stuff needed for the rear disk swap. This should help dramatically until right? isnt braking like 60% percent from the fronts? semms like i go through pads more on the front then the rear