I was looking at upgrading my front brakes since my car is turboed. Having my car brake better has been weighing on me. My question is to those that have done this .

1) was it worth it?
2) which upgrade would you recommend NSX or legend
3) did you get new, used or rebuild parts
4) how much better is the braking compared to stock


Thanks

 

I would look into this: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2248376
and there is an aftermarket kit using wilwood calipers, just can't find it right now.

found it: http://fastbrakes.com/shop/index.php?cPath=28_127

 

none of those wilwood will work with my SH suspension. I was looking at the NSX which would be cheaper about $1300 for both calibers plus hardware that is needed. Trying to think on how much brake power I need for 350 BHP.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rob97’SH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">none of those wilwood will work with my SH suspension. I was looking at the NSX which would be cheaper about $1300 for both calibers plus hardware that is needed. Trying to think on how much brake power I need for 350 BHP. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, what do you do with the car?

 

I don't know why those BBK's won't work on an SH.. I just thought the Suspension was different, not the brakes and/or related parts.

And are you saying $1,300 for NSX Calipers? There's no reason you should spend that much on NSX Calipers (Unless you're buying them new from Honda or some mess). Nor should you spend that much on a OEM Brake Setup.. If you're willing to spend that much get a true BBK.. You could buy Spoon with that much.

Or look into Brembo style Acrua Calipers from the RL's. '06 RL Four-Piston Calipers onto a 12.6" Rotors, but requires 17" Wheels.
Read my thread Giant_Bean posted.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2248376

 

Stock Prelude brakes in very good condition are more than enough.......
I use them to clamp from 130mph on the Track.......good pads, SS lines, and everything else in good working order.

 

^^IDK. I personally think it's an area worth trying to improve. Sure the stokers are adequate, but I've been in my friend's ITR and those stokers put the Prelude's stopping capabilities to shame....what gets me though is that they are the same components for the most part. I have a feeling it could also be a weight issue though...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Televator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a feeling it could also be a weight issue though...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ding ding ding!

Bigger brakes are not going to stop the car any faster, the first few times. The car is tire limited like anything else.

If you're tracking a turbo Honda I could definitely see bigger brakes being a necessity...but otherwise, sure I guess they look cool but it's not something that should weigh on your conscience.

 

I run a 6 piston Wilwood setup on my track car. I like it quite a bit and will fit under 15 x 7" TD PR1 wheels, although just barely. The rotors are 2 piece 11.75 x 0.81".

I'm actually thinking of selling the kit so that I can move up to 12.9" rotors since I'm now running 17x8.5" wheels instead of 15x7s and 15x8s.

I would say it was definitely worth it. I saved a bit of weight.

 

How's the fitment of that sort of wheel on a 5g?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A Blue Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ding ding ding!

Bigger brakes are not going to stop the car any faster, the first few times. The car is tire limited like anything else.

If you're tracking a turbo Honda I could definitely see bigger brakes being a necessity...but otherwise, sure I guess they look cool but it's not something that should weigh on your conscience.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What do you mean by "the first few times"? Like they need to time to get up to a temp range?

 

unless your tracking the car what's the point?

think about it if you were going 80 mph before and are still going 80 mph on the same road then your stock brakes are fine.

Maybe just upgrade your brake pads and rotors if you want to stop a little quicker. but going turbo doesn't affect your mph on the street unless your driving over 100mph which would be stupid to do on the street anyway.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I run a 6 piston Wilwood setup on my track car. I like it quite a bit and will fit under 15 x 7" TD PR1 wheels, although just barely. The rotors are 2 piece 11.75 x 0.81".

I'm actually thinking of selling the kit so that I can move up to 12.9" rotors since I'm now running 17x8.5" wheels instead of 15x7s and 15x8s.

I would say it was definitely worth it. I saved a bit of weight.</TD></TR></TABLE>
And about 1% of Prelude owners brake like we do!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Televator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What do you mean by "the first few times"? Like they need to time to get up to a temp range?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, as long as the brakes have sufficient power to lock up the wheel they're essentially stopping the car as fast as possible.

Work the brakes hard enough and they'll start to fade, though, as temps go up and up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A Blue Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How's the fitment of that sort of wheel on a 5g? </TD></TR></TABLE>

What do you mean? It fits fine on my 5Gen. No fender mods or anything, even with large 225/50/15 Hoosier race tires.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A Blue Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well, as long as the brakes have sufficient power to lock up the wheel they're essentially stopping the car as fast as possible.

Work the brakes hard enough and they'll start to fade, though, as temps go up and up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

BINGO!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What do you mean? It fits fine on my 5Gen. No fender mods or anything, even with large 225/50/15 Hoosier race tires. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh, I'm just very curious about how one best stuffs a very wide wheel under a 5g...and a 17x8.5 fits the bill.

(My deepest desires involve running something like 235/40/17 Pilot Sport 2s on my Honda )

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NirVTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Stock Prelude brakes in very good condition are more than enough.......
I use them to clamp from 130mph on the Track.......good pads, SS lines, and everything else in good working order.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2. Unless your lude is a racecar or you've got so much track experience, the stock brakes work very well. Like Nir pointed out your starting point should be good pads and new lines+good fluid.

I'd look at ducting options before dropping serious coin on BBK's. And if you're having brake fade problems, make sure you fluid is up to it and use a dedicated set of pads for the track that move the heat range higher. That'll solve that problem quickly and cheaply.

 

The problem is alot of people with these 15yo Hondas think they need new calipers b/c the rest of their system is that of well....a 15yo Honda. Brakes are more than just calipers and pads......
I am a violent late-braker.....and using some sort of full blown track pads is all I need. Previously running COBALT SpecB and VR.

 

I turbo'ed my lude about 6 months ago. I just stated to get more aggresive with it. Now normal driving is fine for stock brakes. But when your hitting 80-90 on the street ( not wise I know) I thought of improving my braking system just on the safe side. Now I don't want a system that doesn't perform like the stock ie. need to be hot to work. But increasing to a multi piston caliber and increasing the size of the rotor would be advantage for the increase in HP. I don't really want a track setup. I figured the NSX would be a nice fit (performance and civility). Also I have 17in rims so size isnt my concern.

 

17x8s with 235/40/17s fit without any fender mods, no problem (with +48mm offset or so) with very minor rubbing.

I'm using 17x8.5, +40mm. I can run 225/40/17s without any front fender mods, but the rears require fender rolling. However, I run more camber than a street car (-2.8 front, -2 rear) with very stiff springs/shocks. My goal is to run 245/40/17s, which will require fender mods, as the tires are much wider.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A Blue Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh, I'm just very curious about how one best stuffs a very wide wheel under a 5g...and a 17x8.5 fits the bill.

(My deepest desires involve running something like 235/40/17 Pilot Sport 2s on my Honda )</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rob97’SH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I turbo'ed my lude about 6 months ago. I just stated to get more aggresive with it. Now normal driving is fine for stock brakes. But when your hitting 80-90 on the street ( not wise I know) I thought of improving my braking system just on the safe side. Now I don't want a system that doesn't perform like the stock ie. need to be hot to work. But increasing to a multi piston caliber and increasing the size of the rotor would be advantage for the increase in HP. I don't really want a track setup. I figured the NSX would be a nice fit (performance and civility). Also I have 17in rims so size isnt my concern.</TD></TR></TABLE>

NSX is marginally better than the stock VTEC caliper at best.....can't say I have done any testing to prove/disprove this though.....but I have and do run both NSX and VTEC calipers.
I think there is a PAD out there for you that can get the job done......I would start with the pads and work your way into the rest of the system. The Cobalt GT-Sports I was running were great pads w/o alot of heat..

 

I need to double check, but I'm fairly sure that the NSX calipers have a smaller piston area than OEM.

As for Cobalt pads, have you tried the XR series? I'm running XR2s up front and XR5s in rear. The rears are too aggressive, and I'll probably have to switch to GTS pads. However the XR2s are fantastic. Just don't get the dust wet, and keep the dust off the wheels and paint...

 

Aren't the NSX calipers heavier than prelude oe?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I need to double check, but I'm fairly sure that the NSX calipers have a smaller piston area than OEM.

As for Cobalt pads, have you tried the XR series? I'm running XR2s up front and XR5s in rear. The rears are too aggressive, and I'll probably have to switch to GTS pads. However the XR2s are fantastic. Just don't get the dust wet, and keep the dust off the wheels and paint...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope....still working on pads from 2006. I will move onto XRs when my others are cooked.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vinuneuro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Aren't the NSX calipers heavier than prelude oe?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Marginal if any........they are twin piston but smaller. Could be in my head, but I like the idea of a piston pushing on each corner VS 1 in the middle.