Subaru Crew - Modifications II

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Comments

  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I installed the MRT master cylinder bracket yesterday, it is part of the brake upgrade I am doing which includes Wilwood front four piston calipers and SS lines front and rear, with carbon fibre pads in the rear and DOT 5.1 brake fluid.

     Boy, from a sceptic to a believer, when I first looked at the bracket I thought well a fool and his money are soon parted, wrong! this thing works.

      Now I will admit it is a royal PITA to install,to anyone contemplating fitting one, the best advice I can give is to get a round file and elongate all the mounting holes the holes in the bracket are off and this is what is causing folks misery when they installing it.

     The instuctions say it is a 15 minute install all I can say to that is my [non-permissible content removed],maybe if you had an empty engine bay and no master cylinder fitted you could, the two bolts between the master cylinder and the strut tower are almost impossible to get started there is so little room.

      You will read over in nasioc where guys have cobbled up spacers and longer bolts and wrung bolts off, if you elongate the holes like I say the thing will fit like it is supposed to.

      In conclusion while you still will not think you have now got a single stage booster instead of a dual stage, there is enough of a difference in pedal feel to make this the best $75 CDN I have spent in a long while.

     Cheers Pat.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    wow! guess they are in fact onto something with that master cylinder flex issue.

    hope your knuckles aren't skinned up to much! ;-)

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Not skinned to bad, but there was a lot of thearaputic swearing though.

     I was really sceptical about this, so much so in fact I was going to chuck it, I am glad I persevered.

      Cheers Pat.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I know the feeling... knuckles and the swearing both removing the cylinder heads from my EJ25 with the engine between the fenders.

    Turns out, the popular opinion that it's faster and easier to just pull the engine is popular for good reason.

    -Colin
  • idahodougidahodoug Member Posts: 537
    Heh, that's a good one!....

    IdahoDoug
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Hmmm. MRT MC bracket. I've read about that one before, but thought it was too good to be true. Wonder if it'll fit in the Forester.

    Ken
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    It is supposed to fit the Forester, now you will read about people who have installed them and found no difference, and then others like me who have found a difference.

     The disappointment might be due to the way they have been installed, I have read some horror stories about cobbled up spacers and God knows what else.

    As I described elongating the holes facilitated mounting the thing the way the manufacturer intended, and if anything I would suggest that MRT elongate the holes at manufacture and I think there would be a lot less complaints.

     Would I suggest you fit one? The best thing I could tell you is that it has made enough of a difference in my car that if I bought another Subaru tomorrow I would go to the trouble of installing an MRT bracket on it.

      Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Pat: you gotta do what Hutch does, put a quarter in the jar every time you curse. Then donate it or put it in a college fund for the grandkids.

    Careful - the fenders and firewall on the Forester are not the same. The bracket might fit, but certain things don't, like the plug for the fender hole where the intake used to go, after my snork-ectomy.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I would be bankrupt, so I will pass on that suggestion.

     Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Well the Wilwood kit is now installed, along with stainless steel brakelines all around, KVR carbon fibre pads in the rear and dot 5.1 brake fluid, and MRT master cylinder bracket.

      I am impressed,no squishy pedal, and it stops like right now, now I can finally say I am happy with the brakes.

     I took some pics. and will get them up soon.

      Cheers Pat.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    (drool)
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    mmmm, forbidden brakes.... *drool*
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ain't no mountain high enough...to cause brake fade on those babies!

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Well Colin, I remember you saying I would be very happy with this package, after one day that was an understatement, I would gladly pay a premium to have brakes like this from the factory.

     I had thought previously that I might upgrade to the larger rotors, but based on what I have right now I feel I have enough brakes just as they are.

     The pedal is hard with no sqishy feeling and the brakes are easy to modulate and when you get on them hard it is whoa right now, I am going to try post some pictures.

      Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Pics I hope.

     image
    image
    image
    image

    I have shown for the benifit of juice how I compress the pistons works for me but I guess other folks have different ways of doing it.

      Cheers Pat.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    You can see that the swept area of the Wilwoods is slightly less than the subaru yet the braking is superior, so unless you went with six piston calipers larger rotors would be overkill.

      Cheers Pat.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    awesome!
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Ok, that's next.....
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Very considerate of you, Pat. I have a pair of C-clamps but I wonder if they are big enough for that job. Nice to have 2 cars - I can always run to the store to buy tools/parts while I work on the other!

    The rotors look positively evil! :-)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Any particular reason you went with crossdrilled? From my research and discussions with racers they all seem to feel that crossdrilled rotors are not optimal since they are prone to cracking and there isn't the out-gassing with the new brake materials of the past 10 years.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Easy - they look cool. ;-)

    Looks like a 911, except smaller wheels and rotors.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Like juice said it is as much appearance as anything else, but I will say I have never had a problem with cross drilled either cracking or warping, but I have had several solid rotors warp.

     So based on that experience I will stick with the crossdrilled.

    Cheers Pat.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Were the solid ones stock v. aftermarket crossdrilled? As for appearance I can't argue there, i'm just a go at all costs over show type. You'd probably only have problems with the crossdrilled if you were tracking the car.

    -mike
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Actually, the rotors that warped were both stock and aftermarket solid, I have never had a crossrilled either warp or crack.

      Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Now I have great brakes, but the downside, I have to sell my GT rims as they do fit over the new brakes.

     I am hoping to find a set of RS rims in the Ottawa area at a reasonable price,I do not want to be bothered with shipping or any other PITA.

     Failing that hopefully I will find some aftermarket rims also at reasonable cost.

      Cheers Pat.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    if you do end up going that way, rota wheels are cheap and light... lots of opinions of them on nasioc.

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    For some reason Rota are not so cheap here, they over $300CDN a pop, we will see, RS rims are pretty thin on the ground here.

    Having been Caught twice on net scams my wife is dead set against buying anything more that we cannot see and take home with us.

      Cheers Pat.
  • gened1gened1 Member Posts: 256
    It would be interesting to note what effect just the carbon fiber pads would have had on the braking feel.
    Also can you put up pics of the MRT Master cylinder Bracket and what mods to it you are referring too?
    Gene
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    which RS wheels preference would you be looking at?

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Won't cross drilled rotors have more surface area, for better cooling? That may be why they don't warp as often, in Pat's experience.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I prefer the 98 99 RS rims in silver,I would probably fare better looking for them in the states but I do not want the hassles with customs and duties and all the rest of the nonsense that goes with it.

      Besides we have been screwed twice dealing on the net so understandibly me wife more than me is gun shy about any net dealings again.

      I bought a set of rims several years ago for a Honda, they were suppose to be mint, I was shown photos of a mint set of rims, the ones that I got were destroyed with salt pitting and curb rash so unless I can view them personally I would be real leary.

      Hense the desire for something local.

      Cheers Pat.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    that would be the five spokes.

    I'll keep an eye out for a good or mint set, and transport it across the border on a Canada trip. :)

    -Dave
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    That would be nice thanks for the thought.

      Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I doubt that the pads alone would have made any difference to brake feel, the difference has to be felt to be appreciated.

    I grin now every time I have to brake, I now have a nice hard pedal wheras before it was like sticking your foot in a bowl of jello.

    As for photos of the brake MC braket, I will try but it is pretty well buried now under the fuel filter and assorted hose so I do not know how clear a picture it will be, I will also try make a drawing and scan it, again it may not be too clear as my drawing skills leave a lot to be desired.

      Cheers Pat.
  • stevekstevek Member Posts: 362
    when I got my rims from Florida, it was shipped by UPS and I had the option to ship it right back if they did not pass inspection, no charge to me.
  • ducktapeguyducktapeguy Member Posts: 115
    I like them. But my stock rotors are good enough to lock up my wheels right now, so until I upgrade the tires, I'll have to wait.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    Anyone seen any feedback on these yet?
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    yeah, they finally have the bugs worked out. worthwhile product... I tried to get Kentaro to buy a set but he went for the stock header replacement. :-(

    I've heard a car with a Borla header... make neat noises. ;-)

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Have a chance to buy 16x7" aftermarket rims with a +45mm offset any downside if I buy?

      Cheers Pat.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    although the car is not exactly quiet now.....I wonder how much more intrusive it will be in the cabin with the headers. Tempting price over in vendor classifieds right now.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Pat,

    if your car has stock suspension you won't have any problems. if it's lowered or you plan on lowering it a 16x7 with 45mm offset will make the rear fender clearance a little dicey with some tires. (the 98-01 RS wheels are 16x7 +53, tucked 8mm inboard from what you're considering)

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    I am not planning any lowering, the old body is not up to the pounding any more, I am now at the age where comfort is paramount sad to say.

      Thanks again for the quick response.

     BTW. RS rims are pretty thin on the ground and the odd ones that do come up the owmers seem to think they are made of gold.
      Cheers Pat.
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    You asked for pics. of the master cylinder bracket, well as I said it is buried under the fuel filter and not too clear, but here goes.

     Also as promised I made a sketch of the mods I alluded to, but as I said my drawing skills are poor at best.

    image

    image

    image

    I hope this is clear enough for you.

      Cheers Pat.
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    can you do that turtle too? :)

    hmmm, sounds like I need to think about this mod too. Colin, any opinion on how much more cabin noise I will pick up with those headers? The exhaust already adds some drone on the highway and under load
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    loosh, I doubt it will change the overall volume much over your existing muffler.

    it'll sound different but shouldn't be much louder. most of the SPL comes from the muffler itself, and you're not changing that...

    -Colin
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yeah, I chickened out of the Borlas. :-)

    Ken
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I'm still a little leary of the CEL bugaboo. I get the sense that a few people are having it, even with gen. IV. Perhaps I should wait a while and let others shake this iteration down a bit first...... *shryg*
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    no way, not on cars as old as yours. I guess some searches on Nabisco might prove me wrong, but I think that's a MY00+ problem.

    -Colin
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    it has been all '00+ cars.

    hey, who you callin' old? =8^D
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