Brake upgrade questions (NSX calipers + Legend rotors) - Honda Prelude Forum

TCB007 · 03-09-2004, 06:47 AM

I was gonna post this in the 5thGen forum but considering that 5thGen, 4thGen and even ITRs share similar braking systems I thought I'd post here to see if I get a better response. I'm currently in the process of trying to upgrade to NSX front calipers w/ Legend GS rotors. I know the Legend calipers have slightly bigger pistons but I'm a big fan of the NSX and am willing to pay a little more just to own a small piece of that fine car.

so anyways, I did a quick search and found some useful info but I just wanted to clarify on some issues.
- are the '94-'95 Legend GS rotors the ONLY ones that will fit perfectly without having to make 5mm shims? these rotors are not easy to find.
- is there any way I can use Brembo blank rotors with the NSX setup?
- some questions also came up regarding the brake master cylinder.. is it necessary to upgrade or is it okay to use my stock one?
- I know there isn't a huge difference but will upgrading just the front brakes affect the braking balance of the car?
- other than to improve braking performance (I am currently using Hawk HPS+ pads and also plan to upgrade to Goodridge SS lines), I also want to improve aesthetics. is there anything I can do with the rear setup if I decide to go the NSX route?

thanks in advance

TimeRacer · 03-09-2004, 02:07 PM

1. Yes, GS rotors are the only one that you want w/o having to worry about a shim. They're not that hard to find.

2. Brembo blanks are fine for this setup. Just get the Legend GS rotors for it.

3. No one that I've heard upgraded needed a larger master cylinder.

4. Brake balance isn't really affected since it's only a slightly smaller % rear but it's almost 80/20 in the OEM setup so it's not a big deal.

5. If you have to do something with the rear, get the AEM rear setup. It's really a waste of time as the NSX setup doesn't use a much larger in diameter rotor. It's the thickness of the rotor and larger piston area for the front that you're getting.

TCB007 · 03-10-2004, 02:36 AM

aww only one response? lol thanks for taking the time to answer my questions TimeRacer. but in response:

1. do you know where would be a good place to start looking for these GS rotors?

2. ok now I'm confused

are you simply saying that its not worth it to get the Brembo blanks? you said they're fine.. but then you go on to say just get the Legend GS rotors?? what I'm asking is this: I know the Legend rotors have the correct offset to make this setup a straight bolt-on without having to make any shims. but I'm a little clueless about this stuff so I guess what I'm asking is - does Brembo make a rotor that I can use with the NSX calipers on my 5thGen (preferably without making the shims)?

Quote:

Originally posted by TimeRacer
1. Yes, GS rotors are the only one that you want w/o having to worry about a shim. They're not that hard to find.

2. Brembo blanks are fine for this setup. Just get the Legend GS rotors for it.

TimeRacer · 03-10-2004, 03:26 AM

Do you have any clue what you're talking about? Not to be insulting but the word "blanks" has nothing to do with Brembo. All it means is a solid disc w/o slots or drilled holes.

Go to Napa / Autozone / Pepboys / Kragen or whatever and ask for a set of Acura Legend GS rotors. They'll fit and fit fine.

If you're dead set on Brembo you could of went to their page and looked up their aplication guide.

http://brembo.com/pdf/2004%20HP%20Catalog.pdf

Brembo list plenty of applications for the Acura Legend GS including slots and cross drilled.

As to finding them, how about starting with the sponsors that have posted previous Brembo buys or calling up a Brembo dealer? If not just go to your local automotive store and pick up a set of front rotors for the Legend GS. Not too hard.

For the NSX calipers to work just bolting up this is what you need.

1. Set of NSX front calipers from a 91-96 NSX.

2. Set of Acura Legend GS rotors (doesn't matter which brand you choose) of any type and design that you wish. Just so long as they're designed to work with the stock Acura Legend GS setup they'll be fine.

TCB007 · 03-10-2004, 05:45 AM

yeah I had a general idea of what I was talking about but I wasn't 100% sure which is why I posted in the first place. everything I know about this was from a couple hours of searching and reading on PO.com so I was confused about some details.

the main confusion was that by "Legend GS rotors" I thought that meant I had to somehow procure original OEM rotors from a '94-'95 car. it didn't occur to me that a company like Brembo would have replacement rotors for such a wide range of cars, especially for the Legend (I always thought they solely dealt with more high-end, sport cars). in hindsight, I should've checked the website but I didn't.

so thanks for your last reply.. that really cleared things up for me. from the catalog it seems that all Legends '91-'95, coupe or sedan, share the same part numbers for the front rotors. someone else here mentioned only '94-'95 would work..

- so am I to assume that any '91-onwards Legend front rotor will work then (not just GS)?
- I'd also like some opinions on slotted/drilled rotors. I know most modern brakepad compounds don't really out-gas that much anymore so my point of getting these would mostly be for aesthetics and maybe to help dissipate heat a bit. the big questions are: 1. how big of a difference does slotted/drilled rotors have on pad wear and brake dust? 2. the car is a daily driver and I drive moderately - what are the chances I'll warp slotted/drilled rotors?

hehe thanks for the patience...

*edit - after some more searching, I've concluded that cross-drilled rotors are generally a bad thing these days.. so what about just slotted vs. blank?

TimeRacer · 03-10-2004, 06:48 AM

You want the Acura Legend GS rotors from the '94-'95. Nothing else as they do not have the correct offset. The standard Acura Legend is not the same, I have no idea where you get that idea. As actually the Brembo listing states they don't have an application for the GS fronts. Which I know at one point they did as I purchased them, but possibly it's been put out of production. If this is the case you'll have to find another rotor brand.

If you want slots to look cool go for it. You won't need anything other than a standard rotor however as you only need the gas vents when you vaporize the brake pad which requires a very hot rotor. From what you say, you'll have no need for this.

dubzz24 · 03-10-2004, 04:15 PM

Also a question regarding the rear NSX calipers: Will they fit the stock rotors without modification?

The only NSX calipers I can find are in sets of front/rear so I might as well go NSX all around.

TimeRacer · 03-10-2004, 08:06 PM

^^^ No they will not fit the stock rotors well as they are smaller in diameter and smaller in width of the rotor.

Good luck installing the rears, it's going to require a lot of customization to get them on. The reason why the NSX setup is so nice is the fronts bolt on.

Girl n-a Lude · 03-10-2004, 09:01 PM

my nsx calipers work fine with stock rotors or itr rotors...just remember to use the brackets off your lude calipers.

TCB007 · 03-10-2004, 09:10 PM

I'm assuming you have just the fronts?

Quote:

Originally posted by Girl n-a Lude
my nsx calipers work fine with stock rotors or itr rotors...just remember to use the brackets off your lude calipers.

JaXx4k · 03-10-2004, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TCB007
I'm assuming you have just the fronts?

all u need is the front. the rear doesnt do much for the lude..

here's my set up i put on today..

NSX calipers,STOCK PRELUDE BRACKETS,new prelude brembo rotors,SS lines, n axis metal master pads..

TCB007 · 03-10-2004, 10:02 PM

that looks awesome. ok, I'm even more confused now. so if you can simply use the stock Prelude brackets, then why would anyone even bother with 5mm shims or Legend GS rotors? is there a disadvantage to doing this or am I just missing something? but yea, your setup looks great.. did you paint them yourself

JaXx4k · 03-10-2004, 10:11 PM

i think legend rotors are a lil bigger. not sure.. but i dont find the point of spendin more $$ when the prelude rotors works just as good. but yes i painted them my self. these pics will explain it all...

STEP 1 ,step 2 ,step 3

after a ALOT OF SANDINg..

n now painted..

Girl n-a Lude · 03-11-2004, 02:30 AM

The shims and the whole deal with thicker rotors was how the first few people installed the nsx calipers. then more recently, a couple other people realized if they didn't use the nsx bracket but the prelude bracket, they could avoid that whole ordeal completely. there aren't any differences unless you consider how much more heatsink a minutely thicker rotor could provide for braking power as important.

Pure Lude · 03-11-2004, 02:34 AM

jax - the SS lines fit coo?

TCB007 · 03-11-2004, 06:29 AM

oh so nice. btw, I did a search and I found JaXx4k's old thread from January asking what I was just gonna ask ('cept the pix are all gone now): which part is the bracket?
help with nsx calipers...

from a quick examination of these pictures you posted up, I'm gonna assume that the bracket is the portion that you left unsanded in one of the pics? since it looks like you painted the NSX bracket silver but in the end there is no paint on the bracket when it is on the car. let me know if I'm on the right track. is it just 2 bolts to remove the caliper from the bracket?

and JaXx4k, what grits of sandpaper did you use? any degreaser? oh, and how much did you pay for your calipers? I'm gettin' mine from NSXprime as well and I wanna make sure I'm getting a fair price (you can PM me if you don't wanna say here), thanks..

JaXx4k · 03-11-2004, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pure Lude
jax - the SS lines fit coo?

these lines are weird. it needs to be SUPER tight. cuz when we were bleedin the lines it was leakin form the top ALOT.. but yes it works good now.. =D

JaXx4k · 03-11-2004, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TCB007
oh so nice. btw, I did a search and I found JaXx4k's old thread from January asking what I was just gonna ask ('cept the pix are all gone now): which part is the bracket?
help with nsx calipers...

from a quick examination of these pictures you posted up, I'm gonna assume that the bracket is the portion that you left unsanded in one of the pics? since it looks like you painted the NSX bracket silver but in the end there is no paint on the bracket when it is on the car. let me know if I'm on the right track. is it just 2 bolts to remove the caliper from the bracket?

and JaXx4k, what grits of sandpaper did you use? any degreaser? oh, and how much did you pay for your calipers? I'm gettin' mine from NSXprime as well and I wanna make sure I'm getting a fair price (you can PM me if you don't wanna say here), thanks..

i out line the bracket in red in the pic below. you use the 1 in the prelude just change the NSX caliper part over. n yes the 2 bolt comes aprt n brackets fall off. well if ur's is gonna be as DIRTY as mine then spary a whole lot of degreaser on it. then was it off with water. then start sanding i use 600 grip sand paper for 1 but it took mad long. i payed $280 shipped from nsxprimer as well. i though i need the brackets which i dont. but normal price is around 250-300. yes ur on the right track all the way..

SLICK96 · 03-12-2004, 10:35 PM

SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH.....S E A R C H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems like these NSX or Legend brake questions come up once or twice a week, people...

Jason

SensaiGen5 · 03-13-2004, 11:25 AM

Jason your an ass