Subaru needs brakes, Which pads and rotors? Options

[Bjorn]

The Legacy needs its brakes done. Instead of paying the dealership the hundreds of dollars they want I'm just going to do them myself.

I could just buy OEM stuff, and that would be fine, but I would love to go the extra mile and get some equipment that will improve feel and performance. I'm not tracking the car or doing canyon runs, but if I can get a better package for a little bit more outlay, I'm in.

So, what should I consider when shopping for upgraded pads and rotors? What brands should I keep and eye out for, and which should I avoid?

Any recommendations for retailers (preferably ones that would have a Canadian location)?

[clarkma5]

The rear H6 upgrade is quite affordable and gives you a larger rotor. For the fronts you're kinda SOL AFAIK without spending a ton of money.

Just get good quality OEM replacement rotors. As for pads, I like Hawk HPS or something equivalent...a sporty pad that operates a notch warmer than stock pads without being totally useless for that first stop on a cold morning.

[dukenukem]

I don't really think you need bigger brakes. Get something like Hawk HPS if you want something "sporty" or Centric posi quiets or stoptech street performance pads if you want cheap slightly better than OEM performance.

Here is a very good rotor/ pads combo for you.

http://knsbrakes.com/carItemDetails.php?ca...p;item_id=37033

Email the vendor and ask him if he has any suggestions.

[fiber optic]

I have the Hawk HPS on the front of my truck with plain-jane Brembo rotors (smooth surface, not drilled or slotted). Very nice on my heavy-ish truck. No noise and not much dust to speak of.

[Bjorn]

Sweet. Sounds great. Now to try and find someone in Canada who sells these products, or swallow a 40% duty fee plus brokerage.

Thans for the advice. I'll probably post some pics of the job . . . give the forum some life.

[dukenukem]

Sweet. Sounds great. Now to try and find someone in Canada who sells these products, or swallow a 40% duty fee plus brokerage.

Thans for the advice. I'll probably post some pics of the job . . . give the forum some life.

One thing to note. HPS dust is orange and on my friend's car, stuck to the wheels and tires and tinted them orange and was near impossible to get off.

[Bjorn]

Hum, considering I have a white car this could be a problem . . .

[skr]

My integra is white with white rims and I do get a lot of brake dust, but I clean them fairly often enough not to cake on and discolor. I'm running the Hawk HPS pads. I haven't seen the whole orange thing happen.. yet.

[dukenukem]

I guess I was wrong, Stoptech Street performance pads are Hawk HPS comparable with lower dusting. Look into those.

If you want all around badass pads look at Ferodo DS2500. Their performance comes close to Hawk HP+ but are more civilized than HPS.

[clarkma5]

I'd say my HPSs dust less than the stock pads, albeit not by a whole lot. I wash my car ever 3-5 weeks and I have no staining issues. It's also more of a brown to me *shrug*

[dukenukem]

I'd say my HPSs dust less than the stock pads, albeit not by a whole lot. I wash my car ever 3-5 weeks and I have no staining issues. It's also more of a brown to me *shrug*

I have personally seen my friend's volks tinged rust/ orange by them. In any case the stop tech are cheaper and better performing according to a lot of people on nasioc.

[fiber optic]

I should state the wheels on my truck are not a very open design. The other guys' experiences with dusting will probably be more similar to your own if you go with the HPS.