Brakeswap.com Performance Brake Kit for LGT INSTALLED on Outback XT

A couple of months ago I had upgraded my Outback XT to LGT calipers at all four corners. I used DBA4000 rotors, Hawk HPS pads, and Technafit brake lines with Motul 600 fluid.

 

I really liked this setup and it was night and day different than the insufficient stock Outback XT brakes. One of my objectives in going this route was to keep the stock Outback XT wheels. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a BBK and then have to purchase wheels on top of that so I decided on the LGT setup. Xenonk was tracking his car with these and so I thought these brakes would be just fine.

 

The improvements were very good but still had that factory brake, spongy-pedal-feel and it still took some time for the brakes to respond because of the sliding caliper design. I could feel the brakes start to grab sooner than my stock Outback XT setup and it really should have had these brakes to begin with since it's a turbocharged vehicle.

 

I then saw that Brakeswap.com had come out with a Wilwood kit for the LGT, and that it would fit under the stock LGT wheels. I inquired about this with Eric from Brakeswap.com and found he was wanting to have someone try this kit under the stock Outback XT wheels. So, I took him up on his offer and ordered the Wilwood LGT kit for my Outback XT.

 

Installation was straight forward and just as easy as the LGT brake swap I had already done.

 

Step One: I removed the two bolts holding the LGT brake caliper and bracket to the spindle:

 

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/44759/2902131290074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

Here is a picture with the LGT caliper removed:

 

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/22641/2155675130074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

Next, I bolted the Brakeswap Wilwood Caliper bracket to the spindle using the factory bolts. The bracket goes to the outside of the spindle- closest to the rotor.

 

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/8796/2567736330074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

I then bolted the Wilwood caliper to the newly installed bracket using the supplied spacers and bolts to center the caliper over the rotor. In this picture I tried to show how the spacer goes in between the caliper and the mounting bracket on the side opposite the rotor.

 

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/41598/2919095340074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

Here is a picture of it fully bolted on the spindle with the mounting bracket:

 

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/6910/2486721070074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

and another shot looking down from the top of the rotor:

 

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/42506/2020717510074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

then finally with the SS brake line installed:

 

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/31399/2008606500074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

 

I then bled the brakes doing the inner bleeder screw first then the outer screw. There are two bleeders on each caliper. It is important to do both as there was a lot of air coming out of each one when I performed the bleeding. One thing to note is the Wilwood bleeder is very small. It has a brass fitting inserted into the caliper and then the bleeder screw inserted into the fitting; use a ¼ inch wrench on the bleeder screw and not on the brass fitting when bleeding the brakes.

 

After bleeding, I put the wheels back on and performed the burnishing process according to Hawk.

 

Below are some pictures of the finished install with the wheels on. They are a very close fit, but they fit fine under the 17” Outback XT wheels, just as they did on the 17” LGT wheels.

 

My initial impressions of the kit are GREAT. Where the LGT upgrade for the Outback was much better, the Wilwood kit is much much better. There is a lot more pedal feedback than with the LGT brakes and they engage quicker. When the pedal is pressed ever so slightly, you can already feel them starting to brake. If you engage the ABS, they brake just as they did with the LGT brakes only much quicker due to needing less input from the pedal; a lot quicker reaction time, if you will.

 

If I were going to upgrade an Outback XT’s brakes again I would go straight to the Wilwood kit up front and just find some LGT calipers for the rear. (At least until Brakeswap.com comes out with a kit for the rear.) You will pay a bit more, but if you are already upgrading, you might as well purchase this reasonably priced kit from Brakeswap.com. You get a much better brake setup and they still fit under the factory wheels.

 

http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/42906/2905336030074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/43550/2895365450074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/44010/2340574020074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/41688/2083973440074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/8387/2169126450074087040S600x600Q85.jpg

Awesome job! Looks like I should consider this for my car. IIRC, Outback and N/A Legacy share the same brakes?

I believe that is correct, but you could check on http://www.cars101.com to be sure

Get the Racing Brake Big Rotor kit for the rear to use with the LGT rears. It'll bring the bias back some and even things out.

Looks good Greg

 

Do they come in any other colours, I need something with more............bling.

 

Yes you can special order RED. Thanks Phil

mweiner there is no brake bias difference with this kit. It uses stock sized rotors on the front. 12.3"

 

see xenonk posts reviewing this kit.

By the way I didnt put this in the review but man are these things light. Less than five lbs. I couldnt believe it when I pulled them out of the box. They feel like they are made from plastic but are actually some sort of aluminum alloy.

 

"Each body is stress-flow forged from premium grade aluminum alloy billets"

Do you still like this setup?

 

Any problems/concerns with front/rear bias?

 

What year is your Outback XT?

 

Thanks for the excellent info.

Love it, if you are planning on going faster with the OB, or are changing to better brakes this kit is worth every penny.

 

2005 Outback XT.

 

No issues at all with bias.

 

Still hoping Eric comes out with a rear kit!!

I looked at the brakeswap website and didn't see any kits for vehicles besides BMWs. Was this a unique kit built just for you - just once - or is this a kit available for purchase by the masses?

I checked and got the same thing. I mean, this WAS 2 years ago though...

Here it is:

 

http://www.liteswap.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=L&Product_Code=LGTPBK

 

The link is found on his signature, I guess he wanted it exclusive for LGT members

Thanks guys On sale for $999 right now and can make the adjustment for you after you place the order.

I just bought this kit from Eric for $999 and it's pretty awesome. He included braided brake lines for the rear calipers too.

 

The bad news is the OEM wheels on my 2008 Outback XT don't work. The wheel hits the caliper before it's totally on, and it wasn't even close. So I don't think spacers would work.

 

Looks like I need to find some wheels like gregnauman has.

 

It really sucks, I got one all mounted and bled, and then had to pull it right back off.

Crap, I did not know you didnt have 17" wheels. That definitely is needed. If it is hitting the wheel face, then a couple 5mm spacers could solve the problem.

The car does have 17" wheels. I don't think 5mm will be enough. Think it would need like 10mm to clear with the stock wheels.

Want ...

 

Better than the brembo conversion IMHO..

What's the price on these now?

I paid $999.

 

The kit included front 4 pot Wilwood Calipers, slotted rotors, Front Hawk HPS pads, mounting adapter, mounting bolts, and Braided brake lines for all 4 wheels.

 

contact eric at: brakeswap at gmail.com

I paid $999.

 

The kit included front 4 pot Wilwood Calipers, slotted rotors, Front Hawk HPS pads, mounting adapter, mounting bolts, and Braided brake lines for all 4 wheels.

 

contact eric at: brakeswap at gmail.com

 

Thanks! That is correct.

 

That is also $999 shipped. Those rotors are freaking heavy!

Yep still loving mine, they work great...... Any plans for a rear kit Eric?

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2010 compatibility?

So those of you that might have had these longer than a year. Any issues w/ the lack of dust seals?