afratki

Hello All,
I’m new to this forum and I’ve really enjoyed reading all the different threads.

I have a 1994 Del Sol VTECH that’s currently all stock with the 10.3 inch front and 9.5 inch rear disc brakes.

It needs some brake work and I decided to take this opportunity to upgrade the brakes. I’ve soured this forum looking for the best (i.e. cheapest) way to do this and from what I’ve read, I can upgrade to 11.1 inch front and 10.3 inch rear fairly easily with factory parts.

I’ve put together a parts list that I was hoping could be reviewed (maybe BrakeExpert or roastbeefriche will chime in) and given a thumbs up before I start hunting the parts down in junkyards and Craigslist.

One question: I’m interested in braided steel brake hoses also. After the upgrade, can I order them for a 1994 Del Sol or will I have to use a different model and year?

Any recommendations or comments are also welcome.

Del Sol Brake Upgrade Parts list

Front

• ITR or Prelude Calipers (17CL15VN)
• 23t caliper bracket milled 3.2mm
• 11 Inch Rotors:

1. Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to 4X100
2. Fastbrakes: FB DA/DC SPECR 11 INCH ROTORS

1. 97-01 ITR
2. all NSX
3. 97-99 CL V6
4. 91-95 legend
5. 96-98 rl
6. 95-98 tl
7. 92-94 vigor
8. 95-02 accord v6
9. 91-97 accord wagon
10. 97-01 crv
11. 95-01 odyssey
12. 92-96 prelude vtec
13. 97-01 prelude

Rear

• 2002 - 2006 Acura RSX base or Type S rear caliper bracket
• 2002 - 2003 Civic Si hatch rear rotors
• 2002 - 2006 Acura RSX rear pads
• 1994 - 2001 Acura Integra or 1999 - 2000 Civic Si rear caliper

Miscellaneous

• 15/16" master cylinder from a 90-91 civic EX

afratki

Bump

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

You should try reading this.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes-54/brakeexperts-brake-chart-thread-civic-brake-upgrades-ef-eg-ek-integras-3044628/

afratki

Thanks for the link.

I must have read 100 threads finding the information and never ran across the one you listed.

Kozy.

I would go with a 1" MC, 15/16 is going to feel a bit spongy with the bigger calipers.

Libertariat

Agreed, this is the only change I would make.

afratki

Thanks for the recommendation

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

15/16" is the correct size for a NON ABS brake system. The ITR front calipers have the same size piston diameter as regular Integra calipers. No sense wasting money and having to change out your booster as well. 1" MC makes it easier to lock up the brakes. Not that good for non ABS car. When Honda uses those piston sizes without ABS (JDM ITR, USDM Integra RS, DA Integras, 90-91 Civic EX Sedan, 92-95 Prelude S), they use a 15/16" Master cylinder.

If you want a rock hard pedal, just get some Stoptech stainless hoses. That will be a better combo in my opinion.

BTW: I have the Del Sol VTEC brakes on my 94 Civic CX (7/8" Master & stock tiny booster). With the stainless hoses the pedal is ROCK hard. Just don't forget to adjust the brake pedal push-rod after the swap & bleed to get pedal free-play into spec.

PS: I also highly recommend Stoptech brake pads. They are outstanding for performance street.

Libertariat

I've got the Stoptech 3.0.9's and I like them. They're weird tbh, pretty normal under normal braking, but once you let the brakes have it they stop like gang busters. Definitely feels like what a street/track hybrid pad should.

I've got a 98+ integra ABS MC, 1", goodridge SS lines. Wish I had gone with the stoptech to be honest. My pedal isn't super stiff, but I've also got s2000 calipers and 11.8" rotors.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

that's odd. S2000 front calipers have a smaller piston than Integra front calipers (54mm vs 57mm). Same size as the Del Sol VTEC caliper. 7/8" Del Sol VTEC MC would have been the correct size for those hydraulics. I wonder where your sponginess is coming from?

Kozy.

Must be another difference in the US models then, all models here with 10.3/9.5 setups have 15/16" MCs and all with 11.1/10.2 setups have 1" MCs. I wasn't aware there was any difference between ABS and non ABS, doesn't really make any sense to be honest as the ratio of master to slave cylinders is the same.

I guess with no ABS the longer pedal allows for better threshold braking modulation?

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

With ABS, you want even an old lady to reach full lock-up with relative ease. Are your UK versions equipped with ABS?

According to my research, anything with ABS gets an automatic bump in MC size until you reach 1". Preludes, Integras, Civics, etc. Even if they are equipped with rear drums. Same goes for the few JDM versions I know of.

Kozy.

Pretty much all cars here have ABS.

The size of the MC shouldn't make any difference to anything other than the length of the pedal. A smaller cylinder gives you more pressure, but the smaller cylinders get fitted with smaller boosters which pretty much eliminates the difference in pedal force required, just leaving a longer pedal.

Libertariat

I wouldn't say it's spongey. I've probably just gotten used to it.

afratki

Thanks for all the input every one.

Is there a recommended 15/16 MC for my 1994 Del Sol?

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

Libertariat: Maybe that's where the spongy feeling is coming from. 1" MC with the oversized Integra booster on 54mm pistons. You might notice a very distinct pedal improvement if you try a 7/8" MC (from an EX or Si) along with a small civic booster (maybe CX). This REALLY does make for an excellent sports-car feeling brake pedal. Unless, of course, your car car is equipped with ABS. Then in that case a 15/16" ABS MC would be better (maybe still with a small civic booster).

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

The MC from the 90-91 EX Sedan is the one to get. It's a bolt on to your stock booster and hard-lines. If you get a re-manufactuered one, they don't come with the reservoir. So make sure the side of the MC has 15/16 embossed on it. Most parts places don't know the EX has an oversized master cylinder, so they usually try to hand you a 13/16. And to make it even more difficult, the ones with 13/16 on the side kinda look like a 15/16 at first glance.

If you buy it straight from Honda, they come with the reservoir. 15/16 has a larger diameter reservoir.

15/16 (one you want)


13/16 (you DON"T want)

afratki

Thanks 94eg, that's the one I thought. Just making sure there wasn't a better option.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, it's the only option. The 15/16 MC from the 94+ Integra RS won't bolt up to your stock booster.