joepro

iTrader: (12)

I cant afford a bbk, and after getting my knock off wheels, the brakes just looked puny, so I had to do something! I picked up a set of 06+ calipers with ebc red stuff for 250, and got a set of rotors for 170, and sold my old ones for a net of 80, plus 40 bucks for paint = cost of 380 bucks! I searched around and there has been some controversy on the forums whether this upgrade is worth it, and so far I can tell YES! It is no bbk, but compared to stock 03-05 you will think it is. Plus these rotors are very close to brembo size, major difference obviously is calipers.


This is a compelte bolt on, the only issue is the dust shields, I just bent mine up for now until I get a good pair of cutters, mine are worn out.

Front:
06+ calipers
06+pads
06+ rotors

Rear:
06 plus brackets(you do not need the caliper, but I painted mine and it was easier to paint the one I got off the car)
06+rotors
06+ pads, I think you could reuse your old ones, just would not make 100% coverage on the larger rotor

Leaned up against one another:
IMAG0031.jpg?t=1300680492



here is the difference in the brakes:

03-05
single piston f/r

f rotor size: 11.65" x .95" 296mm 24mm

r rotor size: 11.50" x .63" 292mm x 16mm

06+

2 piston f
1 piston r

f rotor size: 12.59” x 1.10” 320mm x 28mm + 24mm/.94 inches
r rotor size: 12.13” x 0.63” 308mm x 16mm + 16mm/.63 inches

Brembo:

4 piston f
2 piston r

f rotor size: 12.76” x 1.18” 324mm x 30mm + 4mm/.16 inches(from 06+)

r rotor size: 12.68” x 0.87” 322mm x 22mm +14mm/.55 inches(from 06+)

This has been an ongoing project over the past few months. The first step after getting the calipers was getting the rotors, got them on ebay from ATL motorsports and painted them with vht flameproof to keep the hub area from rusting. I had enough that I repainted my old ones for the guy I sold them to(Im such a nice guy!).

IMAG0036.jpg?t=1300680616

Next I cleaned and sanded down the calipers(lots of work even with a dremel) and painted them with duplicolor hitemp primer, caliper paint and hitemp clear. I debated for weeks to go with paint on like G2 or spray, I have done paint on before but prefer spray application, however as of now im not happy with the paint quality, even after dying for weeks the paint was extremely soft...I know it needs heat to cure, but it was chipping from being moved around, hopefully it will harden now they are on the car.

here is one:
IMAG0093.jpg?t=1300680973

next step was the install! I will spare the details it went like any other brake install...bleeding was only major pain... just pinch off the lines and prime the new calipers with fluid makes it much easier tho!

here are some before and afters! Had the blanks on because I sold my other rotors.

rear:
IMAG0096.jpg?t=1300681175

IMAG0102.jpg?t=1300681263

Front:

IMAG0100.jpg?t=1300681394

IMAG0103.jpg?t=1300681428


they fill out the wheels much better and the difference in breaking is phenomenal, cant imagine a bbk on this car!

IMAG0107.jpg?t=1300681656


Old brakes


DSCF1609.jpg?t=1300681705

ChriZTT

iTrader: (16)

Looks good! Congrats!

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Looks good, great street setup.

BTW you changed out the rear calipers? The rear calipers are the same, all you have to do is change the mounting bracket.

beezee

iTrader: (19)

Looks good. Is that a hacked dustshield in the second pic?

joepro

iTrader: (12)

The calipers I got have less miles and it was easier to paint the one off the car. The shield is too small and I didn't have good cutters so I just bent it up for now.

ImWeeZzel

iTrader: (27)

very good work man, let us know how your paint holds up.

gregom

iTrader: (3)

cool! Looks better for sure. Is the performance difference really that noticible? May have just been the good bleed that made them feel better. Anyway congrats on the upgrade, definately a cheap alternative to a full on BBK.

I might do this myself as the 03-05 non-brembo brakes sure do look small, even on stock 17" wheels.

Personally I would of went with just slotted roters. I don't like drilled rotors, not only do they cry a bit of "boy racer" when you see them, but they crack easily from excess heat cycling. Which since I track my car is a huge problem... so I stay with slotted rotors only.

OkashiZ

iTrader: (11)

looks great, good job, more people should do this so that they have decent braking power.

Czarrr

iTrader: (4)

Grats on the upgrade!
I'm planning on doing this myself in the future.

scoobyrex247

iTrader: (7)

good job op. This is on my short list.

joepro

iTrader: (12)

1.

I work at a shop, and my fluids are all changed at interval or before, my brake fluid was change las year, I bled the whole system out with our machine, but this is true, if you guys are running old brake fluid new fluid in the system, not just the master cylinder will make it feel much better. I also pinched the lines off as far down as I could and primed the calipers, I put about half a small bottle into the system, I bled it twice for good measure.

2. Its usually cheaper to get d+s, I like the look. My buddy and I have been running ebay(mine are ATL autosports) rotors for a few years now and have yet to crack one, keep in mind we are only on the street, im sure one could crack if it is tracked.

3. Its way better, the bite and feel is better, not only did the rotor size go up a piston was added in the front. for the price it is worth it IMO for a good 03-05 street setup. The goal beside the sick look of a bbk is to reduce fade, the stopping distances are not crazy improved, they reduce temps and fade quite a bit with obviously ridiculous clamping force as well, I read this older, but good article and decided that since its not a show/traced car my money was better put into a dyno tune.


http://www.zeckhausen.com/Testing_Brakes.htm#Summary

I borrowed these from the thread I bought these from:

06 caliper on the left vs 03-05 caliper in the right (check out the pad size below as well)



here is the difference in the brakes:

03-05
single piston f/r

f rotor size: 11.65" x .95" 296mm 24mm

r rotor size: 11.50" x .63" 292mm x 16mm

06+

2 piston f
1 piston r

f rotor size: 12.59” x 1.10” 320mm x 28mm
r rotor size: 12.13” x 0.63” 308mm x 16mm

Brembo:

4 piston f
2 piston r

f rotor size: 12.76” x 1.18” 324mm x 30mm

r rotor size: 12.68” x 0.87” 322mm x 22mm

verdict.

Very cool, nice upgrade. This is a good idea for those not looking to spend as much on a BBK.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Yes it is, with stock 03 brakes i would overtemp my pads and rotors (using EBC yellow) within 3 laps, with the 06 brakes i would be fine. Only down fall is pad life sucked cause they were still getting really freaking hot. In the long run, BBK is cheaper for me, but i did the 06 brakes as a stepping stone (killer deal too) If your a track junky, don't bother, if you track twice a year, great setup.

sdZ33

iTrader: (39)

Sweet Barn!

04wrx

iTrader: (2)

are these a straight bolt on to a 2003? so just the bigger calipers and bigger rotors and pads of 06+ and im set? nothing else needed??

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Correct , front calipers, caliper brackets rotors , pads and rear caliper brackets, and rotors are all thats needed.

04wrx

iTrader: (2)

lol not to sound like an idiot but when i purchase the calipers front and back it would come with the brackets for those calipers right? so just the calipers pads and rotors and im set?

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

If you buy the calipers from lets say Autozone, no they will not come with the brackets. If you buy them used, make sure the seller is including the bracket.

The rear is the same caliper and pads, you only need the bracket and rotor.

04wrx

iTrader: (2)

cool cool thank you

Czarrr

iTrader: (4)

Just curious about this...
Why does a person need a new bracket for the rear if the caliper and pads are the same? Is it because the 06 rotors are bigger?