Any one with thoughts on the AP 6pot kit ? Im seriously thinking about upgrading after 2 laps of the ring completely fried my standard fronts last week.
They're expensive but seem the best solution as I want to keep my 17s on and not compromise road comfort during the week.
Also, is it worth swapping the front standards onto the back should I upgrade?
MYo5 Wagon

 

IMHO:
Powerstation are doing a group buy on Tarox 6 pots for 17's..suggestion
I asked about putting the frony Imprza brakes on the back also, and was firmly told this would dramatically alter the balance of the car..don't do it, but put the modern 2 pot calipers on the back 9off V7/V8 cars) using a Dyney conversion kit.
Vented rear discs help too.
Graham.

Call rich at Powerstation. Tell him 911 sent you.

 

Thanks 911 Ill give him a ring

 

I thinking of upgrading mine at some point (also with 17") and the Tarox kit does look good.

The thing that swings me towards APs though is the two piece discs whereas the Tarox ones have a regular type disc. I thought any reduction in unsprung weight was generally perceived as a good thing so surely the APs with alloy bells and steel discs have to be lighter than the Tarox with a one piece steel disc. Maybe it's negligable but I'm no expert.

Of course I'm assuming a 6 pot AP kit can be had to go under 17s. I think they do make one that will fit.

 

Agreed.. They do do a kit but its expensive, in fact I think the kit for 18s is £400 cheaper !
Have a look at www.apracing.com

 

The AP 330mm kit fits under my 17" wheels and strangley enough the 355mm kit is much more expensive.

AP is the mutts nuts of braking.

Buck

 

best mod I ever bought.

I wouldn't go bigger than 330 which is what I have under my 17s, but then I don't have ABS and greater braking force can get snatchy.

In emergencies you realy need to apply gently then on weight transfer stand hard on the pedal. They really are incredible. apart from my pectel ECU they are the best mod I have bought.

I bought them 5 years ago and I still love them everytime I get in the car after driving something else (which I often do). Nothing else compares.

I haven't tried the Tarox, but I do know where things like braking and tyres are concerned I would rather pay extra and have the absolute best I can afford.

Plus they hold their value if you come to sell them.

 

some of the bigger disk kits use a cheaper/heavier 6 pot caliper, better paying a bit more and getting 330mm kit.

 

I have the AP 6 pots (335mm) and they are the mutts nuts - however are they much better than the 335 Brembos - yes they are, but whether theyre £1500 better is another matter, maybe is the only answer! Apparently the 355 kit is more of a "budget" kit to compete with Tarox et al, but the 335 kit is the original and higher specced kit (hence more money).

Try some Pagid RS29s (or RS19s if the 29s dont come in the Brembos size), together with braided hoses ALL round and some decent fluid on the Brembos. Also make sure your wheel bearings are in good nick! Dunno if going to the Tarox six pot on a solid disk will make that much difference compared to the pad and hose change to justify the additional expense - if your gonna change calipers - get the best. There is also the strap drive conversion from AP if you want to do things on more of a budget - pad choice will be more limited though and I dont rate the DS2500s that much. http://www.apracing.com/roadcar/brakekit/stdrive.htm

 

Thanks for the feedback, very helpful
Looks like its the full 330mm kit then, but I take your thoughts on-board Warren, I like the idea of that strap kit, but sourcing pads to fit could be troublesome.

Any further thoughts on fitting the fronts onto the rears ? Am I right in assuming that 4 channel ABS should prevent the back snatching under heavy load ?
Is it really nessesary, should I even bother ?

 

personally I wouldnt bother with the rears - under hard braking in a well set up car in the dry - 90% of braking effort comes from the front. Would put DS2500s in the rear though. My personal opinion only of course.

And the 355 kit only fits 18" wheels so no use for you anyway! For 17" its 330

 

I believe the AP Strap Drive system is only for the STi Brembos but without looking I could ofcourse be wrong and I can't see pad replacement being a problem.

The 330mm 4-pot AP kit will provide all the braking power you will ever need and then some, it really is that good, see if you can get a run out in someone elses car with these fitted and let us know what you think. The 6-pots are OTT for the road but they look good behind your wheels, the only time I'd look at the 6-pots is for a track orientated car running slicks or similar tyres.

 

Just to add, I would be temped to do something with the rears, the classics were very lively when a big brake kit was installed up front and the rears left OEM. Your best bet is to get the fronts changed and see what you think. If you did decide to change the rears then I don't see how fitting your fronts to the rear would cause any brake balance issue, any more than fitting the new'er' 2pots would.

 

Mo:
Rich at Powerstation told me not to fit the fronts to the rears with a big brake kit on the front, and I think a rally guy did too on Snet.
Suck it and see i guess.
If putting fronts on the rear was a good thing maybe several others would have done a 'kit' for that too?
I'm still on stock Sti v3 brakes and 407 bhp...
Graham.

 

one of the best mods around

 

drilled disks eh?

 

Good feedback!
Warren, I think you're probably right, Ill fit to the front and see how it goes re the rears. hoping to be at Oulten Park end of Nov' so Ill feedback then about how the backend feels.

Mo.. didnt really consider the 4 pots. The abject failure of my standard brakes last week made me automatically go for the meatier option. The ring is an addictive place only my second visit.. but I will be there a lot more next year and I dont want to be nursing brakes 2-3 laps in. It really spoilled it for me last visit with terrible fade, and I have to consider the drive back accross Belgium. Ill speak to AP Monday see what they say

911, 407bhp..........
!! Dont fancy a trip to Germany do you

Thanks for feedback

 

Might see you there - Im getting a JahrsKarte next year....

What pads you running at the mo and how many miles has the car done? Dont forget, as you get better at the Ring you use your brakes less as well...

 

407 + stock brakes +The Ring = A Big Fright.

I can get away with it as I compete in hill climbs with the car and run 16'' wheels.
Only brake hard about 4 times in a mile long twisty hillclimb:

http://jusspress.com/day.php?userid=...entTime=123828

Graham.

 

Just for your info these are static bias numbers of different Imprezas:
GT twin pot; 70/30
WRX; 71/29
STi; 73/27
Stoptech; 74/26
Wilwood (4wheel setup); 74/26
WRX w/STi fronts; 76/24
And one question, are the AP CP5200 4 pot calipers good compared with the above CP5570?
A friend wants to order the GrahamGoode/AP kit with 330x28 discs that uses the 5200 calipers and asked me about.
JIM

 

Most Subarus have 3 channel ABS, fronts independant, rears linked.

 

Pre 1998 3 channel abs, after this 4 channel.
More will have 4.
Daz