Best brake upgrade for not much money? - Honda Prelude Forum

Prelude23h · 02-25-2002, 09:25 PM

I want to go with slotted rotors and good dust free pads. I dont have a lot to spend. AEM is out...too much $. What about powerslots or ebc rotors and pads? I would like to do front and rear because I hate that rusted rotor hub behind the wheel. Any suggestions.

screamer5300 · 02-26-2002, 12:15 AM

stainless steel brake lines (important/ more than the rotor), powerSTOP crossed drilled rotors, not powerslot, theye ****. and stock break pads(believe it or not, semi metallic stock brake pads are really good break pads.) it'll run you good $400 installed or better. Depends on where you get'um. good luck.
ps. AEM brake kit requires 17 inch or bigger wheels, so unless you already have them, you have to spend another G on the wheel upgrade, FYI.

screamer5300 · 02-26-2002, 12:17 AM

green stuff is a also good break pads. I think better than endless. Just my operator.

TimeRacer · 02-26-2002, 01:25 AM

How much is too much $? First level would include pads, lines and fluid. Probaly wouldn't cost you more than $250 for everything even using the Carbotech Panthers (auguably the best). Second level would be the NSX/Legend GS upgrade which would put you with dual piston calipers, larger rotor, along with everything in first level. Probally cost you about $700 or so. Third would be Brembo, Baer, Spoon, brake packages. You need to increase the size of your rims to accomidate the large calipers. This can cost anywhere from $800 - $2300 depending on the brand and level that you want.

~Doug

TCB007 · 02-26-2002, 10:42 AM

..anyone have any experience with Hawk Performance HPS Brake Pads? I just replaced my stock rear pads with these but don't know much about brakes.. yet!

DYI01 · 02-26-2002, 12:09 PM

i would say go with a set of slotted or Xdrilled rotors. Endless pads, SS brake lines, and new fluid.

TimeRacer · 02-26-2002, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TCB007
..anyone have any experience with Hawk Performance HPS Brake Pads? I just replaced my stock rear pads with these but don't know much about brakes.. yet!

Let me know how you like them! I have a set sitting here in my room that I haven't installed for the past year. I really should go buy the tools to install pads so I can install them for autocrosses.

~Doug

35mm · 02-26-2002, 09:35 PM

I recently had my worn brake pads replaced with Hawk HPS units. They're generally good, but this is as wild a compound as I will get for stock brakes.

Good: Once heated up, they bite *very* well. Good control at speed. All you would want to boost the braking ability of the stock system.

Bad: Some added noise when braking, not much. They take about 1 to 1.5 seconds to heat up and achieve full braking force once engaged.

I've had them on for under a month and I think they're a good investment. The stock pads seemed to bite really quick but then fade off, especially slowing from 70+ mph. The Hawks are a bit light footed at crawling/parking lot speeds, but you won't notice much.

Hawk HPS pads do stop more a bit more responsively. They're definitely not Brembo 4-pot brakes, but they're pretty good for the money. Add some steel brake lines and you're set.

Just make sure whomever installs them remembers to put all the hardware back in properly. Type SH brakes have longer brake pad bolts than the Base models, so be sure to check everything!

Happy motoring

TCB007 · 02-27-2002, 01:19 AM

..well honestly I can't really say that I feel much of a difference. I've only done a couple days of street driving since the install and slow street driving at that because I'm still breaking in my new "remanufactured" transmission. I originally got the Hawk HPS pads because during the servicing at the dealership, they told me that my front brakes were down to 40% and the rears down to 20% or less. so I thought about it and decided to upgrade the rears to aftermarket pads for LESS money than the stock ones would've cost+labour+tax.

anyways, maybe I'll feel more of a difference when I get my front pads replaced as well? afterall, it is a FWD car. but another question for you people: should I have gotten new rotors with my new pads? I heard mixed opinions and some people told me that I should've because the old pads would've "burned-in" with the old rotors? and what about the burnishing process?

thanks in advance and sorry about the long post!

PreludeVTEC01 · 02-27-2002, 01:09 PM

is the AEM pads dust free....? i know 100% nothing when it comes to breaks....

TimeRacer · 02-27-2002, 02:02 PM

There's no such thing as dust free unless you don't wear anything when you brake.