Brakes - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Rob2042 · 04-01-2023, 11:43 AM

Hi, new member here. Just picked up my 2023 BRZ and am really impressed with it. However, it seems to take quite a bit of pressure to brake. I'm comparing it to my Mazda MX-5 and my 370z I traded in. In fact, it seems to take the most pressure of any of the cars I've owned. Have any of you noticed the same and is there a way to improve the braking so as not to take so much pressure other than replacing the brakes? Thanks

vindiesel · 04-01-2023, 12:01 PM

No; swap pads

AK2112 · 04-01-2023, 12:05 PM

Yeah they don't have the typical immediate grab that a lot of cars have. On winter tires especially, I have to get fairly deep into the pedal.

They do stop well on the street (have seen 60-0 tested at 104 feet) so I've just gotten used to it.

Rob2042 · 04-01-2023, 12:06 PM

Thank you

OldBiker · 04-01-2023, 05:47 PM

Many newer cars have over-boosted brakes... grab instantly. I am not a fan of this, as it makes heel-toe blipping touchy at normal speeds. I am very glad the BRZ has proper brakes.

Up4speed · 04-02-2023, 01:44 AM

The brakes are better that way, this way they are easier to modulate.
As long as the power is there when pushed harder, I like it better. As OldBiker said, also easier to heel & toe.

OkieSnuffBox · 04-02-2023, 12:58 PM

Have you given them a good "break-in" cycle? Once I did that, like you would do with track brake pads, they felt much better.

When I ran Carbotech's, essentially 70-5 stops, constantly until the brakes smell and the pedal starts to get a bit soft. Let them cool completely, then ready to go.

CSG Mike · 04-03-2023, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob2042

Hi, new member here. Just picked up my 2023 BRZ and am really impressed with it. However, it seems to take quite a bit of pressure to brake. I'm comparing it to my Mazda MX-5 and my 370z I traded in. In fact, it seems to take the most pressure of any of the cars I've owned. Have any of you noticed the same and is there a way to improve the braking so as not to take so much pressure other than replacing the brakes? Thanks

There is not.

You can get bigger bite/response pads, a stiffer caliper setup, or both.

Easy to do, relatively speaking.

Rob2042 · 04-03-2023, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

There is not.

You can get bigger bite/response pads, a stiffer caliper setup, or both.

Easy to do, relatively speaking.

Thank you

Desertnate · 04-04-2023, 12:37 PM

Is it really the actual performance of the brakes or just a system which has less boost and allows longer pedal travel?

Swapping out pads, calipers, and rotors would change some of the characteristics, but wouldn't you need to replace the power brake pump and maybe the brake lines if you want to make a real difference in pedal travel and earlier bite?

DarkSunrise · 04-04-2023, 01:27 PM

The stock pads have poor initial bite, especially when cold. So you have to get fairly deep into the pedal travel before they grab. On the plus side, they are very progressive and easy to modulate even pushing hard on street tires.

I just changed to track pads and fluid, and they definitely bite harder and earlier in the pedal travel once bedded properly. But also a bit more difficult to modulate at the limit on street tires.

If I were you, for street use I’d swap to a pad that’s known for strong cold bite and bed them in well. Should give you that immediate response you want.

BioRebel · 04-05-2023, 09:04 AM

I found a "brake brace" helped to reduce pedal travel quite a bit with everything else being stock.

04-01-2023, 11:43 AM	#1
Rob2042 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Drives: 2023 WR Blue BRZ Premium Automatic Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Brakes Hi, new member here. Just picked up my 2023 BRZ and am really impressed with it. However, it seems to take quite a bit of pressure to brake. I'm comparing it to my Mazda MX-5 and my 370z I traded in. In fact, it seems to take the most pressure of any of the cars I've owned. Have any of you noticed the same and is there a way to improve the braking so as not to take so much pressure other than replacing the brakes? Thanks

04-01-2023, 12:01 PM	#2
vindiesel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Drives: 2023 brz limited 6mt red Location: Greenville sc Posts: 184 Thanks: 165 Thanked 146 Times in 75 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	No; swap pads __________________ 2023 brz red limited 6mt 10k miles ish 2009 Chrysler 5.7l hemi eagle 300c heritage edition 205k miles

04-02-2023, 12:58 PM	#7
OkieSnuffBox Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Drives: '23 BRZ Limited Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,095 Thanks: 683 Thanked 1,348 Times in 765 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s)	Have you given them a good "break-in" cycle? Once I did that, like you would do with track brake pads, they felt much better. When I ran Carbotech's, essentially 70-5 stops, constantly until the brakes smell and the pedal starts to get a bit soft. Let them cool completely, then ready to go. __________________ "95% of the time, more throttle is the answer. 5% of the time, it ends the suspense."

04-04-2023, 12:37 PM	#10
Desertnate Spelling Impaired Join Date: Jan 2022 Drives: 2022 BRZ Limited WR Blue Location: St. Louis metro area Posts: 384 Thanks: 255 Thanked 157 Times in 105 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	Is it really the actual performance of the brakes or just a system which has less boost and allows longer pedal travel? Swapping out pads, calipers, and rotors would change some of the characteristics, but wouldn't you need to replace the power brake pump and maybe the brake lines if you want to make a real difference in pedal travel and earlier bite? Last edited by Desertnate; 04-04-2023 at 12:57 PM.

04-04-2023, 01:27 PM	#11
DarkSunrise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S) Location: USA Posts: 5,798 Thanks: 2,187 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,221 Posts Mentioned: 48 Post(s)	The stock pads have poor initial bite, especially when cold. So you have to get fairly deep into the pedal travel before they grab. On the plus side, they are very progressive and easy to modulate even pushing hard on street tires. I just changed to track pads and fluid, and they definitely bite harder and earlier in the pedal travel once bedded properly. But also a bit more difficult to modulate at the limit on street tires. If I were you, for street use I’d swap to a pad that’s known for strong cold bite and bed them in well. Should give you that immediate response you want. __________________ "Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time." 2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build

04-01-2023, 12:05 PM	#3
AK2112 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Drives: 22 BRZ Location: Chicago Posts: 213 Thanks: 207 Thanked 130 Times in 80 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Yeah they don't have the typical immediate grab that a lot of cars have. On winter tires especially, I have to get fairly deep into the pedal. They do stop well on the street (have seen 60-0 tested at 104 feet) so I've just gotten used to it.

04-01-2023, 12:06 PM	#4
Rob2042 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Drives: 2023 WR Blue BRZ Premium Automatic Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Thank you

04-01-2023, 05:47 PM	#5
OldBiker Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Drives: 2023 Gray BRZ Location: SoCal Posts: 88 Thanks: 75 Thanked 97 Times in 46 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	Many newer cars have over-boosted brakes... grab instantly. I am not a fan of this, as it makes heel-toe blipping touchy at normal speeds. I am very glad the BRZ has proper brakes.

04-02-2023, 01:44 AM	#6
Up4speed Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Drives: 2023 BRZ Limited Location: Long Island Posts: 138 Thanks: 53 Thanked 30 Times in 23 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	The brakes are better that way, this way they are easier to modulate. As long as the power is there when pushed harder, I like it better. As OldBiker said, also easier to heel & toe.

04-05-2023, 09:04 AM	#12
BioRebel Senior Member Join Date: May 2022 Drives: Mini Cooper S Location: Somewhere Posts: 111 Thanks: 50 Thanked 35 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	I found a "brake brace" helped to reduce pedal travel quite a bit with everything else being stock.

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