Hey guys I have a 88 CRX with the drum rear brakes and have been kicking around the idea of getting a better setup. I'm not sure if just picking up the rear disc setup off the later models would work or if just a bigger front set is ok.

I am currently using HP+ pads, Brembo rotors, SS lines and good fluid, the MC is new but the break booster is OG. The rears are just a OEM drum and Autozone shoe with SS lines.

I plan on running the "Fall Fling" at VIR in October and then again in December with Chin Motorsports. So, any advice would be great.

I am happy with the way the car worked back at the end on July, I just sucked!!!

Anyway thanx again for all the great insights, and keep fueling the addiction!!!


Modified by vbspec at 7:23 AM 9/5/2005

 

What tires are you using?

 

Street tires (Azenis 215's for now Hankook RSR's next year). I see no need for r compounds until I am at least in group 3 and even then I'm not sure I will switch..

 

Leave the rear drums. I have the drums on my ITA race car and the discs on my 1990 hatch street car....the drums work better in my opinion. The drums are also lighter.

I have a ITR big brake setup for sale for $275, PM me if you are interested.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vbspec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Street tires (Azenis 215's for now Hankook RSR's next year). I see no need for r compounds until I am at least in group 3 and even then I'm not sure I will switch..

</TD></TR></TABLE>

In that case, your brakes should be fine. If you get to the point that you are using the brakes to the full potential, they will start to fade. But you REALLY need to use the brakes to get them to fade on street tires with those HP+ pads. I used those for quite sometime and think they are fantastic pads. When you move up to stickier tires, those pads wont cut it.
They should be fine for you for now!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vbspec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am happy with the way the car worked back at the end on July, I just sucked!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>
If the brake system is currently working fine for you, then why do you see the need to upgrade?

As far as shortcomings in the CRX brake system, the small fronts are more of a problem than the rear drums. 9.5" rotors just weren't enough for the CRX Si IMHO; they build a lot of heat, and eventually cause hub failure (particularly on the left side), which the '88-91 cars with 9.5" fronts are notorious for. Since you aren't using dedicated race pads yet, you aren't building as much heat as a race car is - but you should still be cautious, especially if you have original hubs and wheel bearings. A friend of mine had a hub fail recently on his autocross/DE car ('90 Civic Si) after a lapping day at Nelson Ledges; luckily, it happend at low speed and didn't cause any major damage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If the brake system is currently working fine for you, then why do you see the need to upgrade?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was just looking into what would be the next best thing for the car. And really I know its work on me!!! I just sold my AutoX wheels and tires and have money to spend on my toys so I was just thinking brakes would be cheaper than a diff and FD right now.

I did remember reading about the hubs... I may pick up a set from OPM and put those on the car. They sell a set that is stronger and heat treated if I am correct.

The car is fully prepped for STS2 (2nd at the Atlanta tour and not happy about it), my alignment settings were toned down for my first track day, but no other changes. I guess I just need to get my butt to the track and learn to drive..

.RJ you can delete this thread

 

I too have an 88 CRX which is a dedicated track car. I bought it with the rear already convertedt to disc brakes. I just don't like drum brakes and think they are a pain in the *** (I have another car that has them) to work on. Disc are so much easier. As to the fronts, I am finally finishing up a conversion to a type r rotor (I think it is an 11in. rotor) and caliper. Even with SBMS brake duct set up blowing right on the rotors I was thermal stress cracking the rotor in less than four hours but I also have a modded b18c engine/drivetrain so I am getting a lot of speed on the straights that I have to burn off. I was simpley maxxing out the front brake system (carbotech 1109s, ATE blue and r compounds). At the same time the rears have carobtech bobcats on them and the wear is very negligible back there but with a strip out car there is not much back there anyway. The 88 CRX is a very fun car on track.

Barry H.