Need brake upgrade recommendations

[pauls81sc]

I've been driving this 89 CRX Si for about five years now. Before this I used to own a 90 CRX that was stolen and totalled in 1998. (Those dirty bast*rds). Anyway I'm sure the 90 had rear discs, but the 89s got rear drums.

Want to upgrade the 89 to sport discs all the way around and I need some recommendations. Prefer to use larger rotors than stock, not sure who makes a conversion or who to trust.

Anyone done this conversion?
Recommended manufacturer's to use? (or not use?)

Thanks for the help.

Paul

[Jehu]

Good Question... I'm thinking about doing an upgrade on my '88 CRX Si.
Can anyone help us out? What Hondas have a good break system that swaps easy?

[mightytexn]

90-93 integras have rear disks that bolt right on, but require the integra e-brake cable.....front brakes civic EX are bigger and a pretty easy bolt in i think, although not sure

[pauls81sc]

Thanks for the reply mightytexn.

I've been searching this board and found a couple of links:

http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/reardiscswap.html
http://www.4thgenerationcivic.com/how-to's/How-To's.htm

So...you're right, you can use the 90-93 Integras or you can also use the 90-91 CRX (which makes sense). The two things to look out for are the e-brake cable and the proportioning valve (aka 4040 prop valve?)

But I still have a question.
If I want to upgrade the rotors and pads, who makes a good set that won't upset my checking account? I know some of you have done this, dont be shy, tell me where you got your parts and how well they worked.

Thanks again,
Paul

[sastanley]

I wasted money on PowerSlots a few years ago. They warped just as fast as any other type of rotor I've tried, but I also seem to have some trouble with my front end that keeps warping rotors no matter how careful I am or hand torqueing of lug nuts I do. The PowerSlots did not really seem to have any major improvment in stopping ability considering they cost ~$70 each.

Summit Racing sells Brembo OEM blank rotors that stop the car as well as any hi-performance rotors I've tried at 1/3 the price. I did keep my medium performance AEM/Nissin brake pads (I think I also got these from Summit) and they seem to perform well with the "stock" Brembo rotors and were reasonably priced.

I have a '91 DX sedan and I am planning the rear disc swap too if I can find an Integra at a junk yard here soon, or buy the parts from someone here that may be selling when I take the car off the road for its major overhaul.

As mightytexn pointed out, the 91 EX sedan had larger rotors than any other 88-91 Civic. There are reports of using 90-93 Integra front brakes, but I don't think they fit just right, but I have no personal proof of that, whereas the EX brakes seem to bolt on without changing the suspension geometry like I think I read the Integra rotors/knuckles do. In addition, I think the 90-93 Integras have a larger master cylinder also, which in theory should improve braking performance.

So, to sum up my rambling and try to answer your question...10.3" EX sedan front brakes, rear discs from a 90-91 CRX or 90-93 Integra, and maybe an Integra proportioning valve and master cylinder would be a nice upgrade.
Oh, and welcome to the board Paul

[pauls81sc]

Thanks for the info Shawn...(and for the nice welcome, too).

Anyone else have some brake experiences they would be willing to share with the rest of us?

[SiZ]

Tires. Getting better tires is going to drastically reduce your stopping distance..

Personally, I would do the 90-91 CRX Si rear disks just because rear drums look like shit but realistically the rear drums stop me just as fast as disks could.

As far as rotors and pads go, I really liked my stock sized Brembo cross drilled rotors. I had them and PBR Metalmaster pads and it was a really nice combo. The pads would really grab quite hard under less pedal pressure, and they never made noises. The rotors didn't warp, they were awesome. On 3-4 different occasions I had a seized caliper and the rotors got so hot I thought my car was on fire! But they still didn't warp or crack.. I loved them.
This time around I wasn't working when I needed brakes so I got the cheapest shits I could buy and I hate them.. The just squeal and are stupid. They can lick my ass.
Brembos and some decent street pads.