How do you feel about stock brakes? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

SillySaxon · 09-13-2013, 01:17 PM

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

mav1178 · 09-13-2013, 01:51 PM

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

BlueDubbinTDI · 09-13-2013, 01:55 PM

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

SillySaxon · 09-13-2013, 01:56 PM

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

frslee · 09-13-2013, 01:56 PM

Stop tech and SS lines!!!

DarkSunrise · 09-13-2013, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frslee

Stop tech and SS lines!!!

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.

DarkSunrise · 09-13-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDubbinTDI

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

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.

Thorpedo · 09-13-2013, 02:20 PM

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...

Goneau · 09-13-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorpedo

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

DarkSunrise · 09-13-2013, 02:46 PM

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.

SillySaxon · 09-13-2013, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

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.

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

mad_sb · 09-13-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SillySaxon

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.

mfbmike · 09-13-2013, 03:01 PM

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

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.

MightyMeeple · 09-13-2013, 03:05 PM

Master cylinder brace perhaps?

09-13-2013, 02:46 PM	#10
DarkSunrise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S) Location: USA Posts: 5,797 Thanks: 2,186 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,221 Posts Mentioned: 48 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	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. __________________ "Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time." 2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build

09-13-2013, 03:05 PM	#14
MightyMeeple Slower than Fast Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: BRZ Limited 6MT Location: Research Triangle Park, NC Posts: 431 Thanks: 290 Thanked 220 Times in 132 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Master cylinder brace perhaps? __________________ *Build Thread*

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Who wants to see Wilwood Brakes vs. AP Racing Brakes ( Sprint Kit )	FT-86 SpeedFactory	Suspension \| Chassis \| Brakes -- Sponsored by 949 Racing	119	12-17-2017 06:53 PM
Stock brakes too weak?	Alabang BRZ	Suspension \| Chassis \| Brakes -- Sponsored by 949 Racing	111	09-13-2013 05:41 PM
What's everyone doing on stock brakes, for pads?	Nourdmrolnmt1	Suspension \| Chassis \| Brakes -- Sponsored by 949 Racing	45	05-15-2013 06:08 PM
FS: Stock front FRS Brakes(complete w/ lines)	whiteout13FRS	Brakes, Suspension, Chassis	0	04-12-2013 05:13 AM
Stock width, stock "feel" bigger rim?	Trashed675	Wheels \| Tires \| Spacers \| Hub -- Sponsored by The Tire Rack	1	03-12-2013 01:39 PM

09-13-2013, 01:51 PM	#2
mav1178 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 2005 Toyota Camry Location: 91745 Posts: 6,562 Thanks: 493 Thanked 6,097 Times in 3,029 Posts Mentioned: 95 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	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

09-13-2013, 01:55 PM	#3
BlueDubbinTDI Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S, 2012 MCS Location: Jax, FL Posts: 1,975 Thanks: 943 Thanked 570 Times in 356 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you don't like these brakes you should go drive a VW Golf...you'll love them again

09-13-2013, 01:56 PM	#5
frslee Just drive it Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 13' FR-S Location: Maryland Posts: 1,122 Thanks: 97 Thanked 321 Times in 218 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Stop tech and SS lines!!!

09-13-2013, 02:20 PM	#8
Thorpedo The SquadWhisperer Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: '13 Ultramarine FR-S (STX) Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 681 Thanks: 383 Thanked 477 Times in 207 Posts Mentioned: 16 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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...

User Name		Remember Me?
Password