How do you feel about stock brakes?
 

Been driving for a couple weeks now and now that the crunchy tranny issues have gone away (thank you Amsoil) I have one last gripe: The brakes.

I feel like sometimes i'm not stopping as quickly as I should.
My old Del Sol had a really nice and tight brake setup but the FR-S feels like it's still running away from me.

Anyone else dislike the brakes?
I'm sure I'll get used to it but I'm just pondering out loud since work is slow

If your car is stock and unmodified, the best thing you can do for your car is to upgrade your tires.

Then go with a good street pad that won't require a crazy temp range to use.

-alex

If you don't like these brakes you should go drive a VW Golf...you'll love them again

All stock.
I don't really want to spend any money on tires right now until I start doing more mods.
But pads would be an ok upgrade.

Got any brand or model suggestions?
I just like my braking to be stiffer. Sometimes in my old car if someone new got in the car they would brake heavy a lot because they weren't used to how stiff the brakes were, I like it that way because I can be very precise with my right foot

Stop tech and SS lines!!!

:word:

I went with Stoptech Street Performance Pads in preparation for some track days. I knew they'd hold up better than stock on the track, but I did not expect that on the street, they would have better bite (once bedded in properly).

You really notice it in the last few feet before coming to a full stop. The first couple of days after I put them in, I'd end up stopping a few feet shorter than I intended lol.

I also replaced the brake fluid with Stoptech STR600. The big change there was the brake pedal became noticeably stiffer. I was on 1yo factory brake fluid though, so YMMV.

LOL yes. Switching to my GTI, I have to remind myself to really push the spongy brake pedal hard. Of course I did boil its brake fluid the last time I brought it to the track. Need to get around to replacing it.

There is a big difference between people thinking the car should have "better brakes" and thinking "I shouldn't have to hit the pedal that hard to stop quickly".

Absolute braking force and the force required to stop the vehicle in every day driving is not a direct relationship. Vacuum (which is RPM and throttle dependent) is more of a factor in everyday braking than your vehicles absolute braking ability.

"My brakes suck because I need to press the pedal harder than I think I should" is not really a valid argument...

I agree, I have had no qualms with my brakes whatsoever. I don't know if I'm just used to it now? But I've only had the car for 3 or 4 weeks ( almost 1500 miles ) but they are definitely responsive and get the job done extremely well

Yep I agree with the above. Personally I thought the bite on the stock pads was fine. I wasn't looking for more, I just ended up with it. Unintended consequence, but for anyone looking for more bite, try Stoptech.

I feel like the clutch pedal was spongy as hell too on a VW.

I'll try some newer fluids and pads.

Don't get me wrong. It stops just fine. I just want to achieve a tighter response on brake pedal.
They don't suck, I just dislike the feel

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

braided steel lines and bleed the fluid. Pedal will be as firm as it can get, you will be able to modulate braking by applying less ore more pressure with very little pedal travel.. sounds like that is what your looking for.

Coming from a big brake kit on my previous car, yeah, these brakes (paired with these tires) aren't particularly confidence-inspiring.:laughabove:

Pads and stainless lines and some good fluid - used RBF660 on my previous R32 - make a world of difference, on any car. Especially in pedal feel and modulation.

Master cylinder brace perhaps?