GR86 GR86 - Brake Upgrade Guide

@mackie - @Stonehorsw is correct, the Reyland kit does move the brake bias forward by ~2%, however a slight change in bias will be the case for the majority of BBKs, the Reyland and Brembo (official / PP / Megane) offerings have the smallest percentage change. But as you mentioned you can make a larger difference in percentage terms by fitting a brake pad with a higher/lower pad Mu. It's all down to personal preference.
 
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Yep, just saying that the degree to which is does is nothing to worry about.

Let’s also not forget that the brakes on these cars are parts bin and not finely honed for scalpel like precision, that’s left to EBD calibration in extremis.
 
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At the first annual service the brake pads were showing 80% wear and fractures at 11200 miles. Exactly what I had expected due to driving style on the local roads we have to enjoy around here but more rapid than initially though. Based on my experience of upgrading the Saab Aero last year, I went with the same pad and fluid combo on the existing disks, which were in perfect condition. The Saab had to receive new disks and had some Brembos fitted. So a week before our 3 week Euro hoon, I am fitting these for some comfort. This will never be a track car anyway.

www.torque-gt.co.uk

Dixcel ES Type Brake Pads - GR86 ZN8

Dixcel are a Japanese brake manufacturer, specialising exclusively in premium quality brake discs and pads, catering for regular street users, right the way up to extreme racing use. Used by ...
www.torque-gt.co.uk www.torque-gt.co.uk

www.torque-gt.co.uk

The Japanese Car Import and Parts Specialists Since 2001

Experts in Japanese performance imports, we specialise in the very best quality vehicles and parts available.
www.torque-gt.co.uk www.torque-gt.co.uk

Give this a try 😁
 
Brakes are definitely a weak point on these cars. The guy who just fitted my Brembo kit called to check it was ok to discard the original discs and pads as they were “in some state” , saying it’d be unlikely any garage would ever refit them anyway. Not even 9000 miles!
 
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Alistair31 said:
Brakes are definitely a weak point on these cars. The guy who just fitted my Brembo kit called to check it was ok to discard the original discs and pads as they were “in some state” , saying it’d be unlikely any garage would ever refit them anyway. Not even 9000 miles!
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Totally agree and I was really surprised by the good condition of the front disks. Heat fractures can be easy avoided on the pads and at least cooling them is easy whilst driving. I was surprised there was very little wear on the back pads or disks though. I will upgrade those back pads in due course though. A disk and pad kit may be a future issue to address. Makes you realise why these cars are sold with the upgraded brakes in different countries. Toyota UK cost cutting, rear view mirror, alarm ducktailing in play again...
 
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I warped my disc brakes at one of the tracks with fairly long straight - braking from 185~ down to 2nd gear and 45 to make a U turn.
Second time on this same track, but this time with higher capacity heat pads (DS1.11) and I literally killed the rotors. Few visible cracks, a lot of warping while braking and so on.

I'd say, the brakes are the achilles heel if you want to go fast on track. They are capable on street, but as soon as you start going "serious" on race day - it's a matter of time when they will give up. Definitely needs some heat management from the user itself - more cooldown laps, better fluids, brake pads, maybe air ducts would help (but requires moving the wiper washer fluid), but the more material (bigger kit) would simply make things easier on long run...

Not an easy topic I should say :)
 
Alistair31 said:
Brakes are definitely a weak point on these cars. The guy who just fitted my Brembo kit called to check it was ok to discard the original discs and pads as they were “in some state” , saying it’d be unlikely any garage would ever refit them anyway. Not even 9000 miles!
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Mine are ruined and I've not even done 5000 miles yet.

I think I'm going to go with the OEM Brembos front and rear with all teh OEM parts (dust covers, handbrake arm etc etc) but use DBA T3 front and rear pads / discs, + Goodrich lines (there are performance pack specific adn Goodrich are cheaper than oem).

I just need to find the cheapest way of getting the performance kit, anyone tried a UK Subaru dealer yet?
 
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TorqueOfTheDevil said:
Mine are ruined and I've not even done 5000 miles yet.

I think I'm going to go with the OEM Brembos front and rear with all teh OEM parts (dust covers, handbrake arm etc etc) but use DBA T3 front and rear pads / discs, + Goodrich lines (there are performance pack specific adn Goodrich are cheaper than oem).

I just need to find the cheapest way of getting the performance kit, anyone tried a UK Subaru dealer yet?
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Following as while it seems quite an expensive route, parts availability maybe easier later on plus is still OEM. I'm still thinking I'll go this way.
 
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The brake setup is carried over from the GT86 where the brakes were known to be inadequate on those cars, the GR is heavier and has an extra 40bhp. I'm surprised they weren't upgraded to be honest.
 
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TorqueOfTheDevil said:
Mine are ruined and I've not even done 5000 miles yet.

I think I'm going to go with the OEM Brembos front and rear with all teh OEM parts (dust covers, handbrake arm etc etc) but use DBA T3 front and rear pads / discs, + Goodrich lines (there are performance pack specific adn Goodrich are cheaper than oem).

I just need to find the cheapest way of getting the performance kit, anyone tried a UK Subaru dealer yet?
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I've asked Subaru Poland, following their part numbers to give me the quote. Calipers alone + brackets were around 35000 PLN ~ 6877 GBP for today money, which is similar price to fully blown GR86 TRD kit which costs roughly 39,999 PLN ~7800 GBP.

Looks like we are getting f#ked by the import fees, prices and so on... It's cheaper to import it from states + pay duty taxes and shipping.
 
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qajteq said:
I've asked Subaru Poland, following their part numbers to give me the quote. Calipers alone + brackets were around 35000 PLN ~ 6877 GBP for today money, which is similar price to fully blown GR86 TRD kit which costs roughly 39,999 PLN ~7800 GBP.

Looks like we are getting f#ked by the import fees, prices and so on... It's cheaper to import it from states + pay duty taxes and shipping.
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That was my gut feeling, but thanks for conmfirming! Saved me the contacting Subaru dealers!

That said the TRD kit is £4,794 on Fensport, so that seems way more in Poland.

I just don't want to multilate the factory dust covers.
 
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You can get kits for a fraction of those costs though. TRD or even Toyota's own one?
 
Reyland AP kit does not require dust shield mods and you can leave the originals in place or get the larger PP ones if you really want.

IMG_1990.webp
 
Sonic said:
Even that 'official' TRD kit from Fensport states "Genuine dust cover needs to be Modified". Is there a kit that'll get around not doing so?
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Don't think so, it's all to do with the rears, fronts are fine.

1000034506.webp
 
I don't own a GR86 but people saying their brakes are done after a few thousand miles should be very concerning. That's certainly not normal and a bit of a security risk too. Anyone contacted Toyota about it? Would be interested in their response.
 
Galerion said:
I don't own a GR86 but people saying their brakes are done after a few thousand miles should be very concerning. That's certainly not normal and a bit of a security risk too. Anyone contacted Toyota about it? Would be interested in their response.
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For me it's due to heavy braking on track. They are absolutely fine for road use., and light track use for people that don't get the emergency breaking flashers of 3x a lap. :censored:
 
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TorqueOfTheDevil said:
For me it's due to heavy braking on track. They are absolutely fine for road use., and light track use for people that don't get the emergency breaking flashers of 3x a lap. :censored:
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Even still, with the right discs and pads you'll be fine for lap after lap. It'll just be the rate of replacements that'll you'll need to keep an eye on 😬
 
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