Im looking for a definitive answer from those that HAVE done the EX front brake upgrade. I have the parts for the swap but my question is, what master cyl and booster are you using? I know the 2 m/c's have different bore sizes. I need some real world advise whether or not the EX master and booster are necessary. I plan to retain the rear drums. TIA

 

I am pretty sure that if you are retaining rear drum, you don't need the m/c and booster. You will probably just feel a deeper brake pedal when braking. ( which sometimes isn't to reassuring coming into a fast corner). In my opinion the m/c and booster are worth the extra money, you get a way firmer pedal and more positive breaking. And the if you do eventually choose to switch to rear disc you will already have the 1" m/c and booster so all you need is a teg prop valve.

 

TTT I need some more info about this if possible. TIA

 

Don't know about a definitive answer........but, I did the EX swap same time as my LS swap. Needed the larger knuckles for the Teg axles. The Si DX work fine, but the EX swap seemed "better" I also swapped in the 15/16" 90-91 EX master cylinder. I still have the rear HF drums, HF proportioning valve, and HF booster. I don't track the car, it's a street machine. I used Valvoline dot 3/4 synthetic fluid, Porterfield R4S shoes and Raybestos ceramic enhanced "no-squeek" pads. I did also add Goodridge SS lines. I also had the drums turned and added new Brembo blank rotors. The car stops fine! I have not abused the brakes so far but they fit my requirements fine. Firm pedal, short stroke and they stop.
HTH
chris

 

I am using EX front knuckles, brakes, and rotors and still using the crappy old 16 year old standard master cylinder, OEM kicks ***

 

The EX came with the larger calipers up front and rear drums.

If you just put the knuckles on your car then you will have the same brake setup as the EX at each wheel. However, as you know, the MC will slightly undersized compared to the EX. The EX uses the larger MC for the larger EX calipers up front. Without the EX MC you will have to press your brake pedal down further to the floor to fill up the EX calipers with brake fluid. You might be able to drive it this way, but upgrading to the EX MC would be a good thing to do.

When I upgraded the fronts I upgraded the MC at the same time so I don't know exactly how much extra pedal travel you will get if you don't do the MC at the same time.

PS - you won't need to upgrade the booster as the 15/16" EX MC bolts right on to your stock booster with no mods to anything. If you "upgrade" to a 15/16" MC then you will have need to replace the MC as well as cut and reflare one of the brake lines to add on a different size line bolt. 15/16" is 15/16" - you don't need to hassle with no stinking Integra 15/16"!!!

 

I'm using the stock Si m/c with EX fronts (GSR calipers) and Disc rears. I have no problems at all. The car stops like crazy, doesn't require much foot pressure, but the brakes do come on a little strong (opposite of what you would think with a small m/c). I will eventually upgrade, but it certainly isn't necessary. I've had this setup for a few years with zero issues.

 

I have the EX setup on my 88 DX hatch. I also started with the DX master cyliner. It worked OK but the pedal travel did not fit my driving style. I replaced mine with an 88 or 89 Accord MC 7/8 inch, becuase it was 1/2 the cost of the EX. the only isssue is that one of the brake lines needed to be repositioned. It works great and I am pleased with the pedal feel now. Use high quality pads, it makes a difference.

 

Not to try and revive a dead topic but I figured there are probably a few ppl who this might help. I just got finished driving the newly installed EX brake upgrade. Here is a quick rundown of exactly what I did. EX knuckles, integra calipers, HP street pads and perfectly adjusted rear brakes. My opinion so far after bedding the pads says that the larger master cyl ISNT required for this upgrade. But thats not to say that later on I wont try it and see the results for myself. Anyway heres a pic after the Koni/EX Brake upgrade. Hope that this helps someone when searching.

 

If you get the 91 EX 4-doors master cylinder (it is 15/16"), it will bolt up to your stock civic booster. The 91 EX 4-door is the only civic (until the 99 Si) to have 10.2" front discs & rear discs without ABS. If that is what your trying to accomplish, this is how to do it.

 

a lil off topic but what are the dimensions for DA teg RS brakes, is it worth the swap?
and does the swap mess around with your camber at all?
ive got a 90 Si stock brakes all around, i feel it stops fine as is, but bigger power coming in the future, just thinking better brakes may be nice.