deciding on BBK

[protpibe]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

WRX/STI distribution is quite different from the FRS.

To put it in perspective, the 2015 WRX has larger front rotors than the FRS (315x28 vs 299x24), but smaller pads in the rear (don't remember dimensions off the top of my head, but iirc rotor diameter was larger but utilizes a smaller pad/swept area).

This balance is carried over to the STI. While it works, it gives a heavy front bias. I'd speculate that Element Tuning was okay with that, since with a fairly gutted car, the FRS becomes nose-heavy. With their FI and Aero, the STI setup was probably an easy upgrade for them. However, for the average street driven car, it's not the proper upgrade.

Ok, I hear ya, but how does installing a front only Essex kit not upset the balance where a complete 4 caliper STI change over does? I'm not trying to challenge you or anything, I'm just trying to make it make sense in my brain.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by protpibe

Ok, I hear ya, but how does installing a front only Essex kit not upset the balance where a complete 4 caliper STI change over does? I'm not trying to challenge you or anything, I'm just trying to make it make sense in my brain.

It is designed to give the same relative braking force as the stock front caliper. The primary benefits are reduced unsprung weight and substantially improved heat dissipation. Secondary benefits are lowering consumable cost by using a larger pad and a relatively inexpensive rotor ring.

[Sleepless]

Originally Posted by glamcem

there are some wilwood kits that are really cheap and some of them with the added options such as "thermlock pistons" that costs about the same as the Stoptechs and AP kits so maybe there are some differences in quality as well

I once went with a Wilwood setup that had been proven to work great by someone I trust. I ended up with cracked rotors.

Yes, Wilwood make a very wide variety of quality, so, I think you have to be willing to experiment to go that route. I'd rather spend a bit more on kit proven to work by fellow FT86 track rats and from a manufacture that consistently produces top quality products. I will never buy from Wilwood again.