$600 brake upgrade - what to do?

[H.M.]

I have a 90 EX that I’ve just completed replacing the suspension on.
Before I start trying to make the car go faster, I want to upgrade my brake system which is completely stock.

On a $600 budget, where would I get the most bang-for-buck? To save time, and to make sure I have safe components, I’d rather buy new parts than pluck used ones from a junk yard.

I’ve looked over the TAS rear disc brake conversion and can install that fairly easily for $600. But would I be better off upgrading the front brakes with that cash and leaving the rear drums?

Looking for ideas but I do have cash in hand and am ready to go.

[Losiracer2]

Acura Vigor Front brake calipers, Hawk HPS pads, Brembo Blank rotors, and some nice stainless braided lines. Should cost you about 350-400 for that new.

oh you'll need a minimum of 15" wheels too, which you should have since you've got the EX model, but just putting that out there.

[wherm]

Honestly the most bang for your buck would be some good rotors like Powerslot or Brembo, good pads like EBC or Hawk, and for an even firmer pedal feel you can upgrade your rubber brake hoses to braided stainless. Does your EX have disk brakes? If so, I'd do the same back there too. If it has drums and you wanna switch to disk you'd be better off sourcing used parts. I put all brand new parts except the knuckle on the back of my car and it cost me around $1100.

edit: Losiracer2 beat me to it, but at least we're on the same page. Upgrading to the legend calipers is beneficial cause they are two piston rather than only 1. However, for under 600 they'd have to be used.

[mndude07]

You will see a larger increase in braking performance from upgrading the fronts than you will from swapping to rear discs.

I would do the 11" rotor over hub setup. 1" larger rotors, and larger single piston calipers, and easy rotor changes from then on.

[Accrdwgnguy]

$600 should cover both 11" front wagon/Prelude VTEC/Vigor front upgrade, and rear disk upgrade, if you shop around and pluck used parts as needed.

[mndude07]

$600 should cover both 11" front wagon/Prelude VTEC/Vigor front upgrade, and rear disk upgrade, if you shop around and pluck used parts as needed.

600 will cover all that only if he doesn't do roh and gets alot of used parts...might as well do it with new stuff.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Caliper brackets and rear knuckles are alot cheaper used.

[mndude07]

Caliper brackets and rear knuckles are alot cheaper used.

Yes those parts can be used but the calipers it's a risk if the piston bore is good or not and i'm assuming you would replace the wheel bearings with new OEM....that gets expensive

[Accrdwgnguy]

Yes those parts can be used but the calipers it's a risk if the piston bore is good or not and i'm assuming you would replace the wheel bearings with new OEM....that gets expensive

Most places dont sell new caliper brackets, Get new calipers for sure, but you gonna need the brackets for the 11" front brakes

[SleepyG]

The difference between using NSX calipers and V6 calipers is BARELY noticable. It's the 11.1" rotors and added pad surface that make the difference.
Also, being a 5th gen guy, I know 94-97 wagons had the 11.1" fronts, but year drums also, so the braking balance wont be ruined if you stay drum. There are such thins as performance shoes for drums.

I would do the ROH Prelude set up if your budget can squeeze it in, and if you plan on keeping the car for long.

Since it most likely wont, I would do the V6/Wagon set up and hope your bearings can be re used. Get some quality SS lines like Russell, Goodridge, or Earls, and HPS pads. Might be a decent idea to run DOT4 or higher fluid. This way you can always do the hubs/bearings another time and then just use a prelude rotor.

Brembo sport slotted rotors where on sale at tire rack. Got mine(V6) for $65 a pair front and rear!

Remember, if you do the v6 setup you NEED 25T caliper brackets. 25T or 23T work with Prelude rotors(23mm), but V6 rotors are 25mm thick(which is a good thing).

Check out my brake job in progress: http://cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=162266&page=4

[H.M.]

Wow, you guys are all over this. Thanks for the replies, you saved me from wasting $$$.

Now I'm looking at the kits TAS sells. It looks like some have the Hawk pads but no-name rotors. Am I reading that right? So you buy everything separately so that you can get better components (like the rotors, in this case)?

I'll start doing the research on the front brake upgrade instead of the back. Thanks for pointing me in that direction!

[mndude07]

Wow, you guys are all over this. Thanks for the replies, you saved me from wasting $$$.

Now I'm looking at the kits TAS sells. It looks like some have the Hawk pads but no-name rotors. Am I reading that right? So you buy everything separately so that you can get better components (like the rotors, in this case)?

I'll start doing the research on the front brake upgrade instead of the back. Thanks for pointing me in that direction!

The TAS kit has Hawkhead pads, while the name is similar, the pads are very different. The good pads are just Hawk.

[Tippey764]

Pffts, dont waste your money on new calipers. Buy used and just rebuilt it for $10. Its really easy to anyways

[turbo90accord]

fastbrakes.com

[Losiracer2]

yeah I'd just stick w/ well known companies. Brembo and Hawk are major players when it comes to braking. My Brembo blank rotors installed in Apr 08' are still putting up w/ my abuse. No warping, shimmying, or any shaking when braking....I drive pretty aggressively too.