I've purchased the AEM Big Brake upgrade kit both front and rear applications and will be having a Honda Specialist installing the kit. However, the technician said if the braking system is similiar to the Honda Accord then he will have to press the rotors. My question is what does he mean by pressing and is the Honda Prelude braking system similar to the Honda Accord? I knew I should have asked the technician to explain it more in detail.

I looked over the directions of the big brake kit instructions provided by AEM and the instructions were instructions for the 97-01 Honda Prelude & 98-02 Honda Accord so I believe both cars share the same braking systems .

It will cost me about $120 for install and if the technician needs to press the rotors the cost of installation will be $180. I could save a lot if the rotors don't need to be pressed. I can pretty much do a lot of mechanical stuff myself but messing with the braking system and bleeding the brake lines is something I want a Honda specialist to do. Any info or help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

the install is pretty easy...

pressing rotors? what's that?

bleeding brakes is pretty simple as well.

 

You really need to go back and ask what the technician means by pressing the rotors. Since the AEM big brake (assuming that you got the ones with the spacers) all it does is move out your stock calipers further and use the new AEM disks. Supposedly giving you less fade since more rotor to heat up and cool. I've only heard that we share our brakes with the ITR, I didn't know that we shared it with the Accord.

 

Hmm I am intereseted, can anyone answer the following questions on the rotors to determine wheter they are better than brand xxx offered by some one else)

What is the actual size of the rotors? 15in? 14.5in?

Is the rotor vented or simple solid?

What is the rotor made of?

What gimiks does it have...ie is it sloted or drilled?

 

Here's your answers... ALL can be found on http://www.aempower.com. Do your own reasearch please. Second, why do you want the AEM unit over your NSX brakes? I can honestly say that the AEM is NOT better than the NSX setup.

~Doug



[Modified by TimeRacer, 3:20 AM 10/8/2002]

 

Unless you got the AEM calipers you arent bleeding anything.... As far as pressing the rotors I have had someone mention this to me before as well. I know for a fact that the rear rotors are not pressed on, i.e. they are held on by screws, The front however, I have been told is pressed on, i.e. you need a special tool, a press, to install and remove them....

 

Thanks for the site; I have been there and they dont offer actual demensions...

I need a rear rotor for the lude. NSX rear ones have a diff offset...and the stock rotor is tiny...so I was looking into new rear rotors.

That said, is it possible to simply swap rotors in the front and back? I have not been able to locate bolt and offset sizes for the 5 gen lude (seems 4 gen are more popular )


[Modified by Auraraptor, 11:32 AM 10/8/2002]

 

Preludes do NOT have pressed or rotors, like the Accords.. The accord design sucks, and you have to pull the hubs, to change the rotors, where as on a prelude/civic/teg you do not have to do that, all you have to do is unbolt the caliper, and take the retaining screws out...

My opinion on the AEM kit is its a piece of overpriced junk, first of all, like I have said a million times, crossdrilled/slotted rotors are useless, and with a good set of brake pads on stock rotors, you will stop better than the AEM kit..

NSX brakes are the SAME as a prelude VTEC ones, just they have dual piston calipers, which isn't really neccisary on a prelude, but they do use the same pads..

 

Dude, stock size rear rotors are fine, because frankly, the rear doesn't do ****, and when you hit the brakes hard, most likely it will be the rear brakes that lockup... If your doing it for looks over function/price, your just a riceboy...

 

Well all other cars I have have larger rear disks...so I assume it is there for something seriouly, they are all rearwheel drive...but shouldnt mean anything or make any differnece. Corvettes have the large rotors in the rear as well as the front...so do vipers....and both are front engine....does it really help? Well, if it was w/ a good caliper on a hot day..yes..other wise it would be small to say the least....I am trying to get a good set up for my car, because quite franky, IMHO, honda brakes arnt the best ..

As far as drilled or slotted debate;

"Slotting rotors, on the other hand, might be a consideration if your sanctioning body allows for it. Cutting thin slots across the face of the rotor can actually help to clean the face of the brake pads over time, helping to reduce the ‘glazing’ often found during high-speed use which can lower the coefficient of friction. While there may still be a small concern over creating stress risers in the face of the rotor, if the slots are shallow and cut properly, the trade-off appears to be worth the risk. (Have you looked at a NASCAR rotor lately?)" by by James Walker, Jr. of scR motorsports

I agree drilled are pointless

oh thank you for informing me on the brakes, if they arent that good, Ill stick to mixing and amtching acura/honda parts...and BTW the nsx front brakes DO work, at least I have noticed that they perform a little better. Dont beleive me, ask the ppl with the legend calipers. The reason I got both rotors and calipers when I bought mine was becasue they were a set...and still they cost less than the price of one new nsx caliper...
...as for the rears, I now have front rotors lying in my garage..if they fit on the back well great! its more or less a free upgrade..even if it doesnt do much.

oh also, I know people who spend 1.5-2K on factory decal/badges for their Ferraris..are they "riceboys"-no, and we can argue this point all day


[Modified by Auraraptor, 12:29 PM 10/8/2002]

 

Honda316dx,

You hit it right on the spot. I knew the technician was somewhat incorrect about the Prelude and Accord being the same.

Just to clear things up I only bought the AEM kit for the "bling-bling" factor and of course the AEM kit was a lot cheaper than most big brake upgrades. Also AEM was the only company that offered both front and rear applications.

I also upgraded to better than stock pads (AEM/Nissin pads), brake lines (Goodridge SS), and brake fluid (DOT3/4 Valvoline).

BTW, thanks for everyones replies.

 

Nissin makes OE honda pads, so basically you are probalby buying stock pads with the AEM ones...

Front rotors will not fit the rear, the rear caliper simply isn't wide enough...

 

Honda318dx, Show these guys the pics of what you do to solid rotors....

 

Granted, this is hard racing in a racetrack, but this will happen a lot easier with crossdrilled rotors...