Street Looks, Track Performance, and a Full Install Breakdown
If you’re looking to significantly improve both the stopping power and side profile of your BRZ or GR86, a big brake kit is one of the best upgrades you can make. In this install, we’re fitting a Brembo GT Big Brake Kit to our 2022 BRZ and comparing it directly to the factory Performance (OEM Brembo) setup.
This guide walks through why we chose the GT kit, how it compares to OEM, what the install actually involves, and what are some other options when going big brakes.
Why Upgrade to a Big Brake Kit?
A big brake kit isn’t just about looks, though a set of red Brembos behind aftermarket wheels definitely helps the side profile. The real benefits are:
Increased braking torque
Improved heat dissipation
Better pedal feel and modulation
More consistent braking during spirited driving or track use
After installing big brakes on a previous car, the difference in both appearance and performance was immediately noticeable.
OEM Performance Brake vs Brembo GT Kit
Before installing the GT kit, we compared it to the OEM Performance Brembos (like those found on select trims of BRZs and GR86s).
Front Brakes
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OEM Performance Brakes
One-piece 326mm rotor
Great for street use and occasional track days
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Brembo GT Kit
Larger 345mm two-piece rotor
Aluminum hat reduces unsprung weight
Better cooling and heat management
More track-focused overall
The GT calipers are physically a bit smaller than OEM, but that’s because Brembo removed excess material to save weight.
Rear Brakes
Rotor diameter and pad size are nearly identical between OEM and GT
Differences are more subtle
The main gains come from rotor design and pad options rather than caliper size
Unboxing the Brembo GT Kit
If you order this kit, be ready it ships in a lot of boxes. Everything is well-packaged and includes:
Front and rear calipers
Two-piece rotors
Stainless braided brake lines
Mounting hardware
Brake pad retaining hardware
Clear bleed hoses (nice touch)
Important Prep Step: Rotor Hardware
Some of the bolts on our two-piece rotors were slightly loose out of the box. As a precaution:
Loosen each bolt (do not fully remove)
Apply blue Loctite
Torque to ~7–8 ft-lbs
Mark with paint for visual inspection
This is standard practice for two-piece rotors and adds peace of mind especially on a track-focused setup.
Front Brake Install Overview
Key Steps:
Remove factory caliper and rotor
Remove brake dust shield (GT kit does not use one)
Install Brembo caliper bracket with red Loctite
Torque bracket bolts to 115 Nm
Install rotor (note: curved vanes are side-specific)
Install caliper (bleeders must face up)
Torque caliper bolts (~150 Nm)
Install stainless brake lines
Pro Tip:
Spin the hub after installing each component. If something is rubbing, you’ll catch it early before the wheels go back on.
Wheel Clearance
- We’re running 18-inch wheels, and clearance is excellent.
- 17-inch wheels will be very tight and highly dependent on wheel design.
- Most quality wheel manufacturers will specify Brembo compatibility—always check before buying.
Driving Impressions
Even in cold weather, the difference was immediate:
Much stronger initial bite
Less pedal effort required
More confidence and control
ABS engages quickly when pushed hard
The pedal feels heavier but more precise. Once fully bedded and warmed up, these brakes are going to shine on back roads and track days.
Which Aftermarket Brakes Fit You Best?
While the Brembo GT Brake Kit exists for these cars, it is not the only option when going for aftermarket brakes. There are many options and tiers when it comes to the financial side of the brake systems.
For example: the Brembo GT kit for front and rear will cost you just over $6,000 USD, now this includes all the parts needed without any additional searching. Now the OEM optioned big brake kit costs right at $6,700 USD and you have to source all of the corresponding parts to go with it.
The biggest difference between the two is weight. We found that the GT brake kit is actually lighter than the OEM kit due to the rotor and caliper design.
Alternative Big Brake Options
There are many trusted brands that make great options for these cars which include:
EBC / Stoptech / Toms / Wilwood / AP Racing / ect...
All of these brands have great potential to elevate your track and driving experience. When you're spending $4,000 the overall gain will be very noticeable with the main differences being the overall look of the brake system.
If this price is not in the range, then you maybe finding yourself doing a little more work/research with the Cadillac CTS-V brake swap. While there is no problem with these brakes, sourcing parts and piecing it together will take a little more work, but hopefully we can help! *Disclaimer: these are fronts only*
Caliper bracket kit: https://ctsvbrakeswap.com/collections/subaru-kits/products/subaru-4-piston-v1-ats-caliper-big-brake-bracket-kit
CTS-V Calipers: Part # 29988-02852427
Brake Lines: https://offthelineperformance.com/products/stoptech-13-scion-fr-s-13-subaru-brz-front-stainless-steel-brake-lines?_pos=4&_sid=327311f22&_ss=r
Total is less than $1,500 once you add rotors and pads, so this can be a great budget friendly option for somebody just wanting a slight upgrade.
Not Looking To Do A Brake Swap?
No big deal at all, sometimes all you need is a good set of rotors and pads can go a long way. Shop our wide variety of rotors for your Zn6 / Zn8 chassis using this link: https://offthelineperformance.com/collections/2022-gr86-brz-brake-rotors
Quick tip: Make sure upon installation your slots are going the correct direction!
If its brake pads you need, you've come to the right place. Keep in mind though when purchasing a "track focused" pad, you will encounter some squeaking when driving as these pads get better with heat.
Shop front pads: https://offthelineperformance.com/collections/2022-gr86-brz-front-brake-pads
Shop rear pads: https://offthelineperformance.com/collections/2022-gr86-brz-rear-brake-pads
Final Thoughts
Installing the Brembo GT Big Brake Kit on the 2022 BRZ was straightforward overall, with the only real challenges being dust shield removal and minor clearance tweaks in the rear.
This is absolutely a garage doable install with basic hand tools and patience.
If the Brembo GT kit is not for you, that's okay! There are plenty of options in the sea of brake kits for the BRZ / 86 chassis. Make the switch, you won't be disappointed.
