FR-S / BRZ Brakes Upgrade Guide

[Jive Turkey]

i have zero issues, even on track.

i don't have much credibility, because i don't have that much seat time and and not a pro however a few pro drivers took my car out for multiple heats and came back telling me how well balanced it is.

every time i drive a stock brz/frs i hate the pedal. feel like a marshmallow, mine is nice and firm

these are my mods:
05 Sti brembos (swapped bleeders)
dba 4000 slotted rotors (front)
Stop tech street performance pads
SS lines
superblue fluid (i know its illegal, arrest me)
grimmspeed MSB

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

@OrbitalEllipses

Originally Posted by Jive Turkey

...on track.

OrbitalEllipses' Track Application of Big Brakes Not Found


I know there are plenty of people that run just front BBK, but Jive was the only person I could think of that tracked his AND daily drove his. My bad, dawg.

[OrbitalEllipses]

I drive on a 4 lane wide track twice a day... wheel to wheel racing!

[calispec]

I did a little more research about only upgrading the front calipers.

Sti piston sizes are 40mm and 46mm area=2918.5mm^2
Sti effective rotor diameter = 268mm

Brz piston size is 42.8mm and 42.8mm area = 2877.44mm^2
Brz effective rotor diameter = 247mm

So if the piston area is more on the sti then the brake force is going to be more. And if the ED is larger you get more brake torque. So given that how does the bias move backward if you only change the front calipers?!?!?!

I have done it but I am running a higher friction pad in the rear and stock on the front right now. The bias did move back. I am getting matching pads soon so I will report back but I don't understand based on the numbers how the bias is supposed to move back.

I could have done somethin wrong so any help is appreciated.

EDIT: I can't find the post that said the bias would go back but I remember it coming from a reputable source.

[Ben_G]

So what if I don't want bigger brakes, only lighter weight? Are there non-BBK kits that use OEM size (or close to OEM size) two piece discs? Would this even be something viable for DD street only use? Potential issues with heat in stop and go driving?

[Michael Blue]

Thanks for the great guide!
I'll be ordering your 4-piston black front and rear AP Racing BBKs at some point along the build.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Ben_G

So what if I don't want bigger brakes, only lighter weight? Are there non-BBK kits that use OEM size (or close to OEM size) two piece discs? Would this even be something viable for DD street only use? Potential issues with heat in stop and go driving?

Most bigger brakes ARE lighter weight.

[Fizz]

Originally Posted by calispec

I did a little more research about only upgrading the front calipers.

Sti piston sizes are 40mm and 46mm area=2918.5mm^2
Sti effective rotor diameter = 268mm

Brz piston size is 42.8mm and 42.8mm area = 2877.44mm^2
Brz effective rotor diameter = 247mm

So if the piston area is more on the sti then the brake force is going to be more. And if the ED is larger you get more brake torque. So given that how does the bias move backward if you only change the front calipers?!?!?!

I have done it but I am running a higher friction pad in the rear and stock on the front right now. The bias did move back. I am getting matching pads soon so I will report back but I don't understand based on the numbers how the bias is supposed to move back.

I could have done somethin wrong so any help is appreciated.

EDIT: I can't find the post that said the bias would go back but I remember it coming from a reputable source.

My understanding is that with a front only upgrade on this car, the bias does not move to the rear. In fact you gain a little front bias. However, if you compared a front only conversion with a full brembo conversion on the same car, then the front only setup will have more rearward bias (than the other setup). This is because the rear brembo pistons are smaller than the ones in the stock caliper.

Look at it the other way round. Say your car came from the factory with brembo brakes all round. Now if you installed the stock calipers you currently have, then your bias will move rearwards due to the larger pistons.

[cpnslow]

This is one of the most helpful posts I've come across on this site... and trust me, there are a lot of helpful posts!! I just ordered the following based on the "Spirited Street Driving" category: DBA 4000 T3 slotted rotors (front and rear), Hawk HPS pads, and stainless steel lines plus high performance fluid. Install set for Monday!

[dejxx]

Ive asked this a couple of times but with no luck... any idea if the AP Racing Sprint kit will work as intended on a base model (solid smaller rotors, WRX calipers on the rear)? Ive just came back from my first track day with my new turbo set up and the brakes couldnt hold very well after 3-4 hot laps (Ferodo DS2500 pads front/stock pads rear, stainless lines, Pentosin brake fluid), so i really need a BBK, but i dont know anyone that runs this kit on the base model 86. Thanks! @JRitt

[Dave-ROR]

This is the technical forum. No advertising products directly.

[stockysnail]

Originally Posted by dejxx

Ive asked this a couple of times but with no luck... any idea if the AP Racing Sprint kit will work as intended on a base model (solid smaller rotors, WRX calipers on the rear)? Ive just came back from my first track day with my new turbo set up and the brakes couldnt hold very well after 3-4 hot laps (Ferodo DS2500 pads front/stock pads rear, stainless lines, Pentosin brake fluid), so i really need a BBK, but i dont know anyone that runs this kit on the base model 86. Thanks! @JRitt

I talked with one of the local guys that did a track day with me that had the AP Racing Sprint kit and he said it was wonderful and the best modification he did. He said it never gives him any brake fade. I plan on getting the kit as well once I have the extra $ since everything I read about it is positive.

[churchx]

About the only non positive thing about APR Sprint kit is that it's not made to live well through winter road salts .. but it wasn't it's main purpose anyway. Anything else is positive indeed, as even high price is more then offset by way lower price of wearables.

[JRitt]

I did a video version of my brake upgrade guide...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2MznXX4vGc"]Know Brakes 5: High Performance Brake Upgrade Guide - YouTube[/ame]

How to Plan Now for Future Brake Needs

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwWqFecWZPc"]Know Brakes 7: How to Plan Now for Future Brake Needs - YouTube[/ame]