DBA DB1491SP SP Front Brake Pads Subaru WRX/Forester/Legacy Outback BRZ FT-86

Vehicle Fitment

• 2003-2014 Subaru Impreza WRX (GD/GG/GE/GH - 2.0L/2.5L Turbo, AWD) - 2-Piston Sliding Front Caliper (see Fitment Notes)
• 2008-2010 Subaru Impreza WRX (GE/GH, 2.5L Turbo, AWD) - 2-Piston Sliding Front Caliper
• 2003-2013 Subaru Forester (SG/SH - all trims including XT Turbo, AWD)
• 2002-2012 Subaru Legacy (all trims including GT, BL/BP/BR, AWD/FWD)
• 2002-2012 Subaru Outback (all trims, AWD)
• 2013-2023 Subaru BRZ (RWD - 2-Piston Sliding Front Caliper, exc. Brembo variants)
• 2013-2016 Scion FR-S (RWD - 2-Piston Sliding Front Caliper)
• 2017-2020 Toyota 86 / GT86 (RWD - 2-Piston Sliding Front Caliper)

Fitment Notes

• Front axle application only - 1 set (4 pads) covers a complete front axle replacement
• Replaces DBA part number DB1491 - DB1491SP is the current Street Performance upgrade of the same pad geometry
• 2002-2003 Subaru WRX CRITICAL NOTE: Subaru changed the front caliper bracket design mid-production. DB1491SP fits WRX models with a BUILD DATE of 06/2002 and later only. Build date is on the VIN plate in the driver's door jamb - NOT the model year. WRX models built 05/2002 or earlier require a different pad shape
• Does NOT fit Subaru WRX STI models (Brembo 4-piston front calipers) - DB1491SP is for 2-piston sliding front caliper applications only
• Does NOT fit 2006-2007 Subaru WRX (4-piston fixed front caliper - these use a different pad shape)
• Subaru Forester SG: two front caliper variants exist - confirm 2-piston sliding caliper before ordering
• BRZ/FR-S/GT86: applies to models without Brembo front calipers - confirm caliper type before ordering
• Best paired with DBA T2 slotted Street Series or T3 slotted 4000 Series front rotors for maximum performance
• Compatible with DBA T2, X, T3, and XS front rotor variants on applicable platforms
• Wear sensors are not included

Features

• Street Performance (SP) semi-metallic carbon-fibre compound delivers improved initial bite and consistent pedal feel over standard OE replacement pads, with operating capability up to 500°C (900°F)
• Semi-metallic, copper-free NSFI-certified formulation produces low brake dust and is gentle on wheel finishes across all operating conditions
• Factory scorched (pre-burnished) friction surface accelerates the bedding-in process and minimises the risk of green fade during initial use
• Consistent and progressive pedal feel across a wide temperature range - suited for daily driving, spirited street use, autocross, and track days without the harshness of a full race compound
• Application-specific chamfers machined into each pad to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) under braking
• Centre temperature-stability slot facilitates continuous heat dissipation and friction dust evacuation
• High-quality steel backing plates provide structural rigidity and resist deformation under repeated braking loads
• Application-specific NVH shims included to suppress brake squeal and vibration
• Asbestos-free and ECE-R90 certified - meets international safety and performance standards for replacement brake pads

Specifications

• Position: Front Axle
• Pad Quantity: 4 (1 set per front axle)
• Pad Length: 137.1mm
• Pad Height: 56.8mm
• Pad Overall Thickness: 16.8mm
• Friction Material: Semi-Metallic Carbon Fibre (Copper-Free)
• Friction Class: F-F (Street Performance)
• Maximum Operating Temperature: 500°C (900°F)
• Slotted: Yes (temperature stability slot)
• Chamfered: Yes
• Pad Shims Included: Yes (application-specific NVH shims)
• ECE-R90 Certified: Yes
• Wear Sensor: Not included
• Replaces: DB1491

Included Components

• 2x Front Inner Brake Pads
• 2x Front Outer Brake Pads
• 4x Application-specific NVH shims (factory fitted to pads)

Product Description

The DBA DB1491SP is a front axle Street Performance brake pad set sharing the post-2002 Subaru 2-piston sliding front caliper pad geometry - one of the most widely used front brake configurations across the Subaru platform family. It covers the Impreza WRX (2003-2014), Forester (2003-2013, including XT Turbo), Legacy (2002-2012, all trims), Outback (2002-2012), Subaru BRZ (2013-2023), Scion FR-S (2013-2016), and Toyota 86/GT86 (2017-2020). The SP compound is designed for drivers who want a genuine braking improvement over stock pads - more responsive initial bite, better fade resistance under repeated stops, and a cleaner, more consistent pedal - without sacrificing daily driveability or introducing the harshness of a track-focused compound. With an operating range up to 500°C (900°F), the DB1491SP has enough thermal headroom for spirited canyon driving and weekend autocross use in addition to everyday commuting.

The copper-free semi-metallic formulation is NSFI certified and produces minimal brake dust, keeping wheels clean while meeting modern environmental standards. Application-specific chamfers and a centre temperature-stability slot are machined into each pad to manage NVH and heat under sustained braking. The factory-scorched friction surface minimises the bedding-in window so the pad performs at its working friction level faster than an untreated OE replacement. NVH shims are factory-fitted to every pad for a quiet, rattle-free installation. DBA recommends pairing this pad with T2 slotted Street Series or T3 slotted 4000 Series front rotors for the best system-level upgrade; it is also compatible with X and XS rotor variants.

Several important fitment notes apply: the DB1491SP only fits Subaru WRX models built 06/2002 and later - earlier WRX production used a different front caliper bracket and pad shape. WRX STI models (Brembo 4-piston) and 2006-2007 WRX models (4-piston fixed caliper) are not compatible with this pad. For BRZ, FR-S, and GT86 models, confirm that the vehicle uses the standard 2-piston sliding front caliper rather than an upgraded Brembo variant. The DB1491SP replaces the discontinued DBA DB1491 and shares the same pad geometry (137.1mm L x 56.8mm H x 16.8mm T). One set covers a complete front axle replacement. Wear sensors are not included.