Briman2021

I have a 1997 Civic Ex coupe
http://www.fastbrakes.com/pages/kits/bigfront.htm

I am looking at buying this kit. Would this be a good start for someone who wants better braking, but doesn't auto-x or have the money to spend on a $1000 big brake setup?? Also, how hard is this kit to install, and would I need any other parts besides what is included in this kit??


Also, I have rear drums, so what else would be required if I got the rear kit too.
http://www.fastbrakes.com/pages/kits/bigrear.htm

Would I need calipers and stuff off of an integra or something, b/c this kit doesn't include calipers.

Thanks!!!!

Canttx

IMO if ur not going to auto-x or track(road course) your car you dont need to get big brakes. a cheaper alternative is to get gsr/sir brakes and if thats not enough invest in some good rotors and pads.

DragII

acura_typer

Just get a good set of street pads and you will be good to go. Bigger rotors are only for heat dissipation, and larger pads for fade resistance. 4 Pistons is to transmit more brake feel.

Briman2021

I am actualy thinking of getting into autocrossing just for fun, but not until I get some more stuff done to my car, all I have right now is rims. So I figure why buy something that isn't as good now, and have to replace it, or just spend a little more and get the best and skip a step. Get what I am saying???

Also, it would look cool


[Modified by Briman2021, 1:22 AM 4/22/2002]

GokuSSJ4

if you have the money$$$$$ then go for it , other wise you have alternatives and you could put the money someplace else .

Briman2021

TTT

Thanks for the replies so far!!!

Phantom

FIRST get into autocrossing and then decide what you want to upgrade - do at least 4 or 5 events

You will see that brakes is definately not the car's biggest shortfall in autocrossing

owen_the_soyboy

exactly
you will see that brakes are not too important for autox because by the time you heat them up past what stock setups with good pads can handle,,, you are done with the course. road racing or trackschools are a different story where you are pounding the brakes for a good 20 minutes and they are operating at much higher temps for that entire time.
mos def just get great pads, ones that are good at low temp stops like what you will se on th estreet and on an autox course. if you want to rip on an autox course, get into some small wheels with super sticky tires, azenis for newbies like you or kumho/advan slicks for people with a lot of cornering experience and a car that has a properly uprated suspension setup.

I have the fastbrakes 11" 2 piece rotors and ITR calipers on my integra and will be using them on my civic cx soon, but let me tell you first hand that the big brakes are useful only in repeated stops... otherwise they just feel a bit stronger and also a bit quicker to react to pedal input.
Is it worth the loot to upgrade? um, I would go with Wilwood calipers before I spent money on an other-than-stock-design-rotors again.
Wilwood = ~nice feel
crossdrill or slotting = ~waste o' loot
plating = ~waste o' loot
11" stock ITR rotors = ~handle a lot of abuse *but they're heavier too...