Upgrading brakes on the lower spec GT86 (the standard spec outside of US market)

[OnionTou]

Hey everyone,
I've been searching for information on this topic, and I haven't seen any answers to my question.

In most countries the GT86, comes it 16" or 17" wheels, and the brake system is different between those versions. the 16" version comes with solid rear discs, whereas the 17" is the same as the US spec, rear ventilated. And there are other differences like the rotor size.

I'm looking to upgrade my brake system as a whole (front & rear), and most of what I find is made for the US spec version of the car (or the upper spec of mine)

The easiest option seems to be a big brake kit as a whole. But this is quite a pricey proposition.

If I can get my hands on the US spec (or upper spec) GT86 brake kits, how simple would the install be? just replace rotors and calipers? or do I need to reconfigure the braking computer (or whatever controls the brake system)? If I use a different kit, do I need to do the same?

Thanks in advance for any info on the topic.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by OnionTou

Hey everyone,
I've been searching for information on this topic, and I haven't seen any answers to my question.

In most countries the GT86, comes it 16" or 17" wheels, and the brake system is different between those versions. the 16" version comes with solid rear discs, whereas the 17" is the same as the US spec, rear ventilated. And there are other differences like the rotor size.

I'm looking to upgrade my brake system as a whole (front & rear), and most of what I find is made for the US spec version of the car (or the upper spec of mine)

The easiest option seems to be a big brake kit as a whole. But this is quite a pricey proposition.

If I can get my hands on the US spec (or upper spec) GT86 brake kits, how simple would the install be? just replace rotors and calipers? or do I need to reconfigure the braking computer (or whatever controls the brake system)? If I use a different kit, do I need to do the same?

Thanks in advance for any info on the topic.

I think it's best to try working with different brake pad compounds first. Brake pads have different friction coefficients and wear characteristics that tailor to different brake necessities. What is your intended goal? Did you just want to change brake caliper and rotor sizing or do you want to see more performance from your brakes?

[SkAsphalt]

listening to CSG David here is probably a great start to finding your answers

[diss7]

I have the same brakes and have already looked into all this.

You have the same calipers and pads on the front, its the disc that's smaller. Therefore also the caliper braket is different. This means you can buy the same front pads as ones that are for the larger brake model. But not the discs.

The rears are totally different. Different caliper, disc, pad, bracket.

What have I done? I've ordered trd pads (trd make pads including rear specific for the base model) and trd steel brake lines, and trd brake fluid.

I believe this will give me the braking performance I'm after. I'll be able to tell you for certain once I have put the parts on and gone to the track.

Try this first before sinking 3-4 times the cost, for just a front bbk.

[CSG David]

The 86 has the same brakes as the WRX. You should not have any issues with braking performance. My recommendation is to use more aggressive pads and brake fluid. I can PM you if you would like to discuss more options available and what CSG's experiences are with multiple brake compounds as well as BBKs.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by CSG David

The 86 has the same brakes as the WRX. You should not have any issues with braking performance.

In North America, yes, but over seas the lower spec models come with brakes that IIRC are directly off the base impreza. Smaller discs front, smaller discs rear with solid rotors.

IMO, unless you're overheating the solid rear rotors you're probably fine with just better pads/fluid. You can add stainless lines, but that will just effect feel, not stopping power.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by wparsons

In North America, yes, but over seas the lower spec models come with brakes that IIRC are directly off the base impreza. Smaller discs front, smaller discs rear with solid rotors.

IMO, unless you're overheating the solid rear rotors you're probably fine with just better pads/fluid. You can add stainless lines, but that will just effect feel, not stopping power.

From research, WRX front and rear brakes that is for the 86 GT with 16" wheels. The WRX rear brake is smaller than the BRZ/FRS rear brake.

If there are other 86s out there, I'll keep that in the database.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by CSG David

The WRX rear brake is smaller than the BRZ/FRS rear brake.

They're running standard WRX rears, we're running standard LGT rears.

[diss7]

Originally Posted by wparsons

IMO, unless you're overheating the solid rear rotors you're probably fine with just better pads/fluid. You can add stainless lines, but that will just effect feel, not stopping power.

Agree with this.

Will confirm for certain in another month or so.

[Suberman]

Most braking is done by the front tires so if you want to improve brakes for less money do the fronts first. But, before you spend any money on brakes get better tires. The stock tires on these cars are pretty pathetic. Generally speaking you don't need more brake power until your stock brakes can no longer engage the ABS on dry pavement. Fit better tires first and then consider brake improvements. Bear in mind that better tires will ruin the handling....8-)

[Turdinator]

There are a few people here in Aus who have upgraded from the base spec brakes to the upper spec. I have bought them myself and plan to bolt them on in the next month or so. I believe they even fit under the stock 16" wheels.

[troek]

So for the front u just need a different bracket and the bigger disk? I looked at my calipers yesterday and they appear to bolt strait to the hub and dont utilize a bracket. Is it diffrnt in japan, or did i miss something?

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by CSG David

From research, WRX front and rear brakes that is for the 86 GT with 16" wheels. The WRX rear brake is smaller than the BRZ/FRS rear brake.

If there are other 86s out there, I'll keep that in the database.

I cross referenced part numbers at one point, and one of the rotors is a base impreza part, I just can't remember if it's front or rear. Do WRX's really come with solid rear rotors?? I thought they were vented.

[OnionTou]

Originally Posted by CSG David

The 86 has the same brakes as the WRX. You should not have any issues with braking performance. My recommendation is to use more aggressive pads and brake fluid. I can PM you if you would like to discuss more options available and what CSG's experiences are with multiple brake compounds as well as BBKs.

A couple of guys at our local GT86 club have run into brake system issues. We have a circuit around here and there are trackdays available. 3 people have killed their brakes in 1 track day, and on relatively new brakepads (1000 miles at most).

2 guys ate through their brakepads (and one of them even ended up messing up his discs)
1 guy overheated the system, and ended up losing brakes at the end of the main straight.

There was another guy on the same trackday, he had the top spec (17" wheels with ventilated brakes), didn't have an issue and has tracked his car 2 or 3 times I believe.

I think technique may have a little to do with the life of the pads, but I think part of it is still due to brake system the lower spec has.

When I bought my car, there was a huge price difference (US$ 8k) between the lower spec model and the top spec, the mechanical differences were wheels and brakes. I did my math and realized that for the same money I could go for 18" wheels and stickier tires, and even get a budget BBK for front and back.

Most of guys in the club have changed pads/fluid/lines, and are still pending to track their cars to see the overall effect. What I want from my car are upgraded brake system as a whole. I plan to track my car every now and then, but keep it pretty usable as my weekend ride.

I read somewhere that the rear brakes in my car is the same as the Legacy.