Brake options

[Moose]

Originally Posted by mattsbobo

Also Moose, I know you have no experience with the Rotora mini calipers, but I've read of others on the site using RSX-S brake kits on our cars, and that the two cars have the same brakes. Do you think the Rotora RSX kit will work with minor modification? http://www.rotora.com/press%20release/MINI4.pdf

One more thing, and I'll leave you alone. The description on the Rotora site for this kit says you can use the OEM rotors with it. Would this be advisable, or would it be better to get new rotors?

Rotora Does have a listing for the Si ....just download the catalog (Website is out of date)

FRONT BBK
RBK.143.01 - FC4 CALIPER - 330X23MM 1 PC ROTOR
RBK.143.02 - FC4 CALIPER - 330X30MM 2 PC ROTOR
RBK.143.03 - FF4 CALIPER - 355X32MM 2 PC ROTOR

FRONT REPLACEMENT CALIPER - WORKS WITH OE ROTOR
RCK.143.01 - FM4-C CALIPER

I personally would replace the rotors with new ... why groove / damage the new pads with an old rotor. At teh very least get the old rotor resurfaced.

Moose

[smokenrowboy]

Excellent write-up, Moose. I'm an HPDE 2 driver, and choosing the right pads and upgrading to ATE Super Blue fluid are the way to go . And you gave some great advice when you recommended cleaning brake dust off before they corrode your finish. If I had known this sooner, my wheels wouldn't have little permanent black spots after each track day haha.
___

I've got two question for you (if you don't mind me asking):

1. Call it 'bling', but I want to replace my stock Si front rotors with Endless Basic rotors (Endless USA). Would an 00-05 S2000 application fit our OEM Si's? I guess I should probably ask Endless if the rotor is 300x25mm in Diameter x Thickness, since that's the size of our stock rotor.

2. Can you recommend any affordable caliper upgrade that fits OEM rotors (yet another bling question).

Thanks

[Moose]

Originally Posted by smokenrowboy

Excellent write-up, Moose. I'm an HPDE 2 driver, and choosing the right pads and upgrading to ATE Super Blue fluid are the way to go . And you gave some great advice when you recommended cleaning brake dust off before they corrode your finish. If I had known this sooner, my wheels wouldn't have little permanent black spots after each track day haha.
___

I've got two question for you (if you don't mind me asking):

1. Call it 'bling', but I want to replace my stock Si front rotors with Endless Basic rotors (Endless USA). Would an 00-05 S2000 application fit our OEM Si's? I guess I should probably ask Endless if the rotor is 300x25mm in Diameter x Thickness, since that's the size of our stock rotor.

2. Can you recommend any affordable caliper upgrade that fits OEM rotors (yet another bling question).

Thanks

I have "heard" that the S2000 will work .... BUT I cannot recommend as I have not tried this ... I have also seen numerous references that the RSX type S caliper Will work ... But again since I have not personally confirmed this I cannot confirm / reccomend.

The Only caliper that I am aware of that works is the Rotora RCK.143.01 - FM4-C CALIPER

Moose

[smokenrowboy]

Thanks

[CIVIC's "R" US]

if you have drums outback, can you replace them with disc?

Sorry for not knowing or if this has been asked before...

[TurboBlue]

That's definitely a very informative write up Moose! But just curious..why did you not mention anything about SS brake lines? I went through your write up 3 times and saw no mention of it. Shouldn't that be one of the components to upgrade after pads and fluid?? And if im not wrong..SS brake lines just give you less pedal travel?

[Moose]

Originally Posted by CIVIC's "R" US

if you have drums outback, can you replace them with disc?

Sorry for not knowing or if this has been asked before...

Yes ... you can do a rear disk swap (rotors/calipers/pads/knuckles/brake lines/abs sensors/e-brake lines etc)... either by purchasing the required components new or from a wrecked Si / EX

Originally Posted by TurboBlue

That's definitely a very informative write up Moose! But just curious..why did you not mention anything about SS brake lines? I went through your write up 3 times and saw no mention of it. Shouldn't that be one of the components to upgrade after pads and fluid?? And if im not wrong..SS brake lines just give you less pedal travel?

SS Brake lines are not a required part for a street car... more of a nice to have. They provide a slighty improved pedal feel with a bit less mush. You will see the biggest improvement with SS lines when you are replacing old worn out lines, rather than new lines.

The Si has WAY overboosted brakes ... there is little or no feel ... So SS lines really do not do much in my eyes for this particular car

I am going to try to fix the Booster issue before I fix the lines


Moose

[TurboBlue]

Originally Posted by Moose

Yes ... you can do a rear disk swap (rotors/calipers/pads/knuckles/brake lines/abs sensors/e-brake lines etc)... either by purchasing the required components new or from a wrecked Si / EX




SS Brake lines are not a required part for a street car... more of a nice to have. They provide a slighty improved pedal feel with a bit less mush. You will see the biggest improvement with SS lines when you are replacing old worn out lines, rather than new lines.

The Si has WAY overboosted brakes ... there is little or no feel ... So SS lines really do not do much in my eyes for this particular car

I am going to try to fix the Booster issue before I fix the lines


Moose

I see...but what do you mean by the si has overboosted brakes? So SS brake lines basically don't improve braking like upgraded pads would? Thanks for the help.

[Sirbelch]

Originally Posted by Moose

I am going to try to fix the Booster issue before I fix the lines


Moose

There better be a DIY for that, or else I'm coming out there and calling you names or something.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by TurboBlue

I see...but what do you mean by the si has overboosted brakes? So SS brake lines basically don't improve braking like upgraded pads would? Thanks for the help.

SS lines provide no additional performance / stopping power ... ONLY Pedal feel.

The Single best / cheap upgrade in performance is ... Good Pads and fluid.

Originally Posted by Sirbelch

There better be a DIY for that, or else I'm coming out there and calling you names or something.

BRING IT ON BELCH !!!!

Ya ... I am looking at some options ... I have to get a spare Si Booster and M/S and do some measuring ... I am hoping the S2000 booster will work. The M/C will be an issue becaase it is one of the few Honda M/C's with remote resevoirs.

The biggest issue right now is time ... and the Race scedule is keeping me busy (I am a Mechanic / crew member for a pro race team) So this side project may take a while ... I have "other" personal car projects that have priority right now.




Moose

[jrotax101]

Moose, would you say the SS lines are mainly feasible to use when the car is tracked a lot, just as a precaution from the oem ones splitting/blowing out or whatever :), as all they do like you said is improve the pedal feel.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by jrotax101

Moose, would you say the SS lines are mainly feasible to use when the car is tracked a lot, just as a precaution from the oem ones splitting/blowing out or whatever :), as all they do like you said is improve the pedal feel.

The SS lines should provide better abrasion protection than OE ... Good condition OE brake lines are not likely to blow or split in any normal circumstances.

SS lines are not a bad thing, they will not hurt ... but they are way down on my list of things to upgrade brake wise, pretty much the last thing I will do UNLESS the OE lines are old / damaged and need replacing anyways

Moose

[racerx78]

Originally Posted by Moose

The SS lines should provide better abrasion protection than OE ... Good condition OE brake lines are not likely to blow or split in any normal circumstances.

SS lines are not a bad thing, they will not hurt ... but they are way down on my list of things to upgrade brake wise, pretty much the last thing I will do UNLESS the OE lines are old / damaged and need replacing anyways

Moose

SS lines will not "dramatically" increase you braking capabilities. Especially if you have decent OE lines.

[jrotax101]

I only replaced mine as the OE ones were rubbing against my coilovers ( pro-c) + the bit of extra piece of mind that they wont be as likely to fail, as i know what a brake failure at over 100mph feels like and head first into a tire wall. ( on a track)

[Moose]

Originally Posted by jrotax101

I only replaced mine as the OE ones were rubbing against my coilovers ( pro-c) + the bit of extra piece of mind that they wont be as likely to fail, as i know what a brake failure at over 100mph feels like and head first into a tire wall. ( on a track)

I would also wrap the SS lines in Split loom ... it will further protect them.

This is what I did to protect my OE lines against rubbing on my Pro-C's


Moose

[Adri CiViC]

Why the aftermarket LX/DX/EX Front Rotor are 10,3" and OEM 10,8" ?
It will fit?

[jrotax101]

Originally Posted by Moose

I would also wrap the SS lines in Split loom ... it will further protect them.

This is what I did to protect my OE lines against rubbing on my Pro-C's


Moose

I don't think i'd need to wrap them as they are already coated in something, it may be urethane or polypropylene, i'm not sure.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Adri CiViC

Why the aftermarket LX/DX/EX Front Rotor are 10,3" and OEM 10,8" ?
It will fit?

Hmmm ... My Data shows a 10.8" front rotor ... but the aftermarket says 10.3" ... not to sure what to say here. I will investigate further.

Originally Posted by jrotax101

I don't think i'd need to wrap them as they are already coated in something, it may be urethane or polypropylene, i'm not sure.

The Outer covering has limited abrasion protection and is really there to keep dirt etc out of the braid.


Moose

[VenomEX07]

Hi, I'm new to posting on this forum, but I've been browsing it off and on since I got my Black '07 EX Coupe 5spd a little over a year ago. I've finally gotten around to saving some cash for various mods(HFP suspension, SI sways) and was looking at the HFP brake kit. I know the SI's use a larger rotor then the EX, and I was wondering if this means that 17" rims are required to clear the caliper with those taller rotors. I'm sorry if this has been answered somewhere in here but I wasn't finding it on my search. Thanks much.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by VenomEX07

Hi, I'm new to posting on this forum, but I've been browsing it off and on since I got my Black '07 EX Coupe 5spd a little over a year ago. I've finally gotten around to saving some cash for various mods(HFP suspension, SI sways) and was looking at the HFP brake kit. I know the SI's use a larger rotor then the EX, and I was wondering if this means that 17" rims are required to clear the caliper with those taller rotors. I'm sorry if this has been answered somewhere in here but I wasn't finding it on my search. Thanks much.

Most 16" "Should" fit ... it depends on the design/shape of the hub and spokes


Moose