Full Front and Rear 08-12 STI Brakes Swap

[BugeyedWagon]

Did the fronts with 08+ Sti Brembos yesterday. Ended up stripping the bleeder plugs (one on each caliper) which was frustrating, but I just bled the brakes, unmounted, then mounted them. The look, performance, and feel I am all happy with at this point.

Thanks @King Tut for providing the mini write up and subsequent helpful posts. Also, thanks to @Racecomp Engineering for talking me out of buying the rear Brembos.

[zohare]

This is a concern perhaps, but due to the cylinder bores being the same, is it necessary? From what I understand, switching sides with the 4 pots is not a problem. Also, what of a pressure bleeder?

[fenixv8]

I found a set of 2004 sti brembos that Im gonna pick up tomorrow. I had purchased a set of Prodrive GC-07 in 17 x 7.5 + 48. What size spacer do you think i'll need to clear the new brembos?

Rims look like these ones



Thanks guys

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by BugeyedWagon

Did the fronts with 08+ Sti Brembos yesterday. Ended up stripping the bleeder plugs (one on each caliper) which was frustrating, but I just bled the brakes, unmounted, then mounted them. The look, performance, and feel I am all happy with at this point.

Thanks @King Tut for providing the mini write up and subsequent helpful posts. Also, thanks to @Racecomp Engineering for talking me out of buying the rear Brembos.

Heat seems to be critical in getting those plugs out...

[omegared19]

Why would you need heat to get the plugs out?

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by zohare

This is a concern perhaps, but due to the cylinder bores being the same, is it necessary? From what I understand, switching sides with the 4 pots is not a problem. Also, what of a pressure bleeder?

Who were you replying to? The guy above you is using STI calipers, which are differential bored. The WRX 4 pots are not. The WRX 4 pots are actually less effective than our stock front calipers, minus the modulation/wear benefits.

Shifting the bias rearward may not be a bad thing if you don't disable EBD though, who knows.

[omegared19]

Originally Posted by BugeyedWagon

Did the fronts with 08+ Sti Brembos yesterday. Ended up stripping the bleeder plugs (one on each caliper) which was frustrating, but I just bled the brakes, unmounted, then mounted them. The look, performance, and feel I am all happy with at this point.

Thanks @King Tut for providing the mini write up and subsequent helpful posts. Also, thanks to @Racecomp Engineering for talking me out of buying the rear Brembos.

Are you running the factory wheels? If not, what size/offset are you using? I'm dieing to get some new shoes on my ride!!

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by omegared19

Why would you need heat to get the plugs out?

After x years and xx,xxx miles they become corroded and stuck in the caliper. It's just an allex head plug so they strip out easily. Heat breaks that bond allowing their removal without damaging them.

[omegared19]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

After x years and xx,xxx miles they become corroded and stuck in the caliper. It's just an allex head plug so they strip out easily. Heat breaks that bond allowing their removal without damaging them.

Any recommendations on how to heat them up? I don't want to sit there like an idiot with my girlfriend's hair dryer for forever and not get them hot enough. I do have a heat gun, but don't want to strip the paint/STi logo.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by omegared19

Any recommendations on how to heat them up? I don't want to sit there like an idiot with my girlfriend's hair dryer for forever and not get them hot enough. I do have a heat gun, but don't want to strip the paint/STi logo.

A propane torch should work. The paint doesn't hold up to track temps so it'll likely brown a bit with the torch too. Ask Don @ Accelerated I know he heated the ones he test fit so he can tell you if it'll discolor the paint. You could maybe try an impact driver instead?

I'm using the Essex Sprint kit so I haven't had to deal with this issue myself

[omegared19]

Hmmmm......trying my best to not damage the coloring on the calipers. I like the black and want to keep them a bit incognito while I'm driving. Gonna do a bit of research into this.... I will post if I find a better solution.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by omegared19

Hmmmm......trying my best to not damage the coloring on the calipers. I like the black and want to keep them a bit incognito while I'm driving. Gonna do a bit of research into this.... I will post if I find a better solution.

The gold ones discolor to a brown, not sure about the black ones. You would definitely want a torch, a blow dryer is NOT going to cut it.

[BugeyedWagon]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Heat seems to be critical in getting those plugs out...

I heated mine. Was successful on 2 of 4 chances. I may have rushed it. I suggest patience.

[BugeyedWagon]

Originally Posted by omegared19

Are you running the factory wheels? If not, what size/offset are you using? I'm dieing to get some new shoes on my ride!!

No, stock wheels will not work.

Winter Set: Drag DR31 17x8 +? (I will check tonight)
Summer Set: Volk CT-C 18x7.5 +42