Since I got it about a month ago, I haven't been happy with the brakes. Kinda of mushy. I have read some interesting stuff about a Legend caliper swap, but I dont think I am interested in doing that.
When I got my new 17" rims, the exposed rotors are really nasty looking. I figured maybe I should buy new calipers (so I can paint them without first having to get my existing ones off) and get new rotors.
While I would enjoy some increased braking performance, probably just a set of new OEM brakes would do the trick. I'll be sticking with I/H/E mods. I would like to add some bling in this area though, so the larger the rotor the better.
I've already read that all the 4th gens have the same master cyl, so switching to the Vtec brakes is not much of a monster garage type operation right? Plug and play? Is there much cost difference between Vtec Calipers and Si Calipers? I found a set by "Street Legal" fronts, already powder coated in red for $130. Good/Bad?
Could someone please recommend a good set of pads for Vtec calipers and maybe an attractive rotor? I live in Tucson where it rarely rains, and never snows. Should I get the zinc coating anyway for the rotors??
Since I got it about a month ago, I haven't been happy with the brakes. Kinda of mushy. I have read some interesting stuff about a Legend caliper swap, but I dont think I am interested in doing that.
When I got my new 17" rims, the exposed rotors are really nasty looking. I figured maybe I should buy new calipers (so I can paint them without first having to get my existing ones off) and get new rotors.
While I would enjoy some increased braking performance, probably just a set of new OEM brakes would do the trick. I'll be sticking with I/H/E mods. I would like to add some bling in this area though, so the larger the rotor the better.
I've already read that all the 4th gens have the same master cyl, so switching to the Vtec brakes is not much of a monster garage type operation right? Plug and play? Is there much cost difference between Vtec Calipers and Si Calipers? I found a set by "Street Legal" fronts, already powder coated in red for $130. Good/Bad?
Could someone please recommend a good set of pads for Vtec calipers and maybe an attractive rotor? I live in Tucson where it rarely rains, and never snows. Should I get the zinc coating anyway for the rotors??
Thanks!
Swami
ok the vtec caliper/rotor swap is plug and play. you will get a bigger caliper and a slightly bigger rotor too. if you can get it for cheap, i would say go for it, otherwise, not worth it IMO. as for doing it just to paint, forget that. you can paint the calipers with them on the rotor, or you can just take off the caliper and paint it still attached to the line. i have done this twice, and it works just fine if you make sure to cover everything else. as far as the pads, the only ones i have experience with are AEM, and i found them to be a bit better than stock, but nothing drastic. they do last a while though. as for the rotors, i would recommend, getting brembo blank rotors, cause they are cheap ( from www.importrp.com PO sponsor, or just look in the parts classifieds for them), but they do rust. if it never rains then you will be fine. if you want beter looking ones, there a tons of options with holes and/or slots, but you will pay for that bling.
I've got two small kids, and ZERO time to work on my Prelude for the next year or so. The getting calipers up front idea is so that I can have them painted when I give all this stuff to my mechanic buddy to put it on. Plus, I'll need the new calipers anyway, if I am getting new larger rotors.
I would like some slotted/drilled rotors, but I dont want to pay the 155 for Brembo made ones.
Ebay seems rife with brembo rotors that have been machined on. They are going for about $80 a pair. Quite a bit less.
That kind of discount worries me for some reason though. Any problem with that? I have read about some dudes who have cracked their drilled rotors. I don't race or anything so .... opinions on that??
Drilling just keeps the pad temp down and helps with removing brake dust from the pads. You are decreasing rotor to pad surface area so they technically won't improve braking. I went with slotted for better cooling because I, too, heard about people having problems with their cross drilled rotors cracking. My first thought with your mushy pedal feel was your lines. That would be the first thing I upgraded. The stock lines will expand when the fluid is compressed in the line. Adding a set of stainless steel lines will improve fade and pedal feel. It should get rid of your mushy feeling.
As for rotors and pads....
I used Brembo slotted and cadmium coated along with the AEM pads. I wanted those pads because of their reputation about less dust. It increased breaking like what marsh said but nothing drastic. That setup lasted much longer than my napa pads and rotors.
Check your auto salvage places close to you for some VTEC calipers. If all else fails you could just get them from an auto store place and exchange your Si calipers
Since I got it about a month ago, I haven't been happy with the brakes. Kinda of mushy. I have read some interesting stuff about a Legend caliper swap, but I dont think I am interested in doing that.
When I got my new 17" rims, the exposed rotors are really nasty looking. I figured maybe I should buy new calipers (so I can paint them without first having to get my existing ones off) and get new rotors.
While I would enjoy some increased braking performance, probably just a set of new OEM brakes would do the trick. I'll be sticking with I/H/E mods. I would like to add some bling in this area though, so the larger the rotor the better.
I've already read that all the 4th gens have the same master cyl, so switching to the Vtec brakes is not much of a monster garage type operation right? Plug and play? Is there much cost difference between Vtec Calipers and Si Calipers? I found a set by "Street Legal" fronts, already powder coated in red for $130. Good/Bad?
Could someone please recommend a good set of pads for Vtec calipers and maybe an attractive rotor? I live in Tucson where it rarely rains, and never snows. Should I get the zinc coating anyway for the rotors??
Thanks!
Swami
hey man..you got a website or something for those "street legal" calipers???...
might go that way when piecing together my hub/caliper/knuckle for the 5 bolt conversion..if i can't get it all in one piece for cheap.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
