Big Brake Kit

[MurderousCrow]

Hi,

Needing the benefit of the collective PH Honda wisdom: big brake kit or not?

I have an EP3 Civic - fairly recent acquisition, bought to replace a poorly Impreza. The main role for the Type-R is daily driver, with occasional track days 3-5 per year. In addition it's a fun road car doing frequent trips out to scenic places on nice roads. I want it to be as 'complete' as possible, with the best possible setup for all these things: a high-level compromise if you like.

It already has an improved brake setup, with grooved OEM size discs, standard callipers, Ferodo DS2500 pads and braided lines. Despite this I think the brakes are the single weakest point of the car. I'm fairly hard on brakes in general, and I've nearly worn out the full set (both discs and pads). The discs were half worn and the pads nearly new when I bought the car in August last year, that was about 5000 miles ago.

The rears are now borderline, and the fronts will last maybe a couple more months. In addition, the nearside rear calliper is now buggered and needs replacing regardless. As far as the brake setup goes I have a choice:

1. Full set of discs and pads all round. The options here would lean toward StopTech OEM replacement discs, RBF600 fluid, and Hawk DTC30 / Carbon Lorraine / Performance Friction pads.

2. Fix the rears only and wait for Godspeed to bring out their well-priced Brembo BBK for the EP3. That's happening in about 3-5 weeks, so is within the remaining life of my front brakes.

What would you do, and why?

Thanks in advance,

Luke

[EK9_CTR]

I upgraded the brakes on my EK9 a while back with the following:

- Mtec blank discs, all round
- Carbone Lorraine RC5+ pads, all round
- ATE Typ200 (Superblue) fluid

As you can see it's a basic upgrade on paper but very effective. I've done a few trackdays and lots of fast road miles with no problems.

I'd certainly recommended metal sintered pads such as RC5 as they're outstanding. I think most will agree the RC5 is a much better pad than DS2500, especially if you're on track. The only downsides I've had are slight squealing and more brake dust.

HTH.

[MurderousCrow]

EK9_CTR said:

I upgraded the brakes on my EK9 a while back with the following:

- Mtec blank discs, all round
- Carbone Lorraine RC5+ pads, all round
- ATE Typ200 (Superblue) fluid

As you can see it's a basic upgrade on paper but very effective. I've done a few trackdays and lots of fast road miles with no problems.

I'd certainly recommended metal sintered pads such as RC5 as they're outstanding. I think most will agree the RC5 is a much better pad than DS2500, especially if you're on track. The only downsides I've had are slight squealing and more brake dust.

HTH.

Thanks for this. I've decided to go for the big brake kit. I feel that the extra weight of the EP3 (250-300kg more than the EK9) means I'll benefit from it on track.

I definitely agree with you- the difference using sintered metal pads is outstanding. I've used a few different sintered compounds in the past, the last I used on my old Subaru with a Porsche BBK, was Performance Friction PF08. While braking was amazing, they squealed worse than most lorries and were a nightmare on paintwork. I looked around online for a more friendly version of a similar thing, and the reviews I came across indicated that the CL RC5+ is a good pad, relatively quiet but still with awesome stopping power and lack of fade.

So as it happened I ordered new rear discs, Carbon Lorraine RC5+ pads and Super Blue ATE fluid (well they've changed the name now, but the same stuff), that's all being fitted on the car today so it's great to hear you've had a positive experience with a similar setup. I'll of course match the pads when I fit the BBK.

I must confess I get an occasional bit of buyer's regret for choosing the EP3 over the EK9 in the first instance, but overall I needed to balance a lot of requirements... While the latter would definitely have been a better track / play car, maybe it wouldn't have been as good as a daily drive. I console myself with that thought

Luke

Edited by MurderousCrow on Thursday 2nd February 10:00

[EK9_CTR]

MurderousCrow said:

Thanks for this. I've decided to go for the big brake kit. I feel that the extra weight of the EP3 (250-300kg more than the EK9) means I'll benefit from it on track.

I definitely agree with you- the difference using sintered metal pads is outstanding. I've used a few different sintered compounds in the past, the last I used on my old Subaru with a Porsche BBK, was Performance Friction PF08. While braking was amazing, they squealed worse than most lorries and were a nightmare on paintwork. I looked around online for a more friendly version of a similar thing, and the reviews I came across indicated that the CL RC5+ is a good pad, relatively quiet but still with awesome stopping power and lack of fade.

So as it happened I ordered new rear discs, Carbon Lorraine RC5+ pads and Super Blue ATE fluid (well they've changed the name now, but the same stuff), that's all being fitted on the car today so it's great to hear you've had a positive experience with a similar setup. I'll of course match the pads when I fit the BBK.

I must confess I get an occasional bit of buyer's regret for choosing the EP3 over the EK9 in the first instance, but overall I needed to balance a lot of requirements... While the latter would definitely have been a better track / play car, maybe it wouldn't have been as good as a daily drive. I console myself with that thought

Luke

Edited by MurderousCrow on Thursday 2nd February 10:00

Great choice, I'm sure you'll be pleased with your EP3's new brake setup whether it's fast road or on track.

I've found that cleaning the brake dust from RC5's isn't an issue even on white wheels. There are a few decent wheel cleaners out there, my preferred choice is Iron X. As mentioned I hardly get any squealing either so overall it's the perfect pad for me.

As for the weight difference between an EK9 and EP3, it's roughly 120kg IIRC. The EP3 is probably the better car if it's your daily. I was in your position a couple of years ago when I had to choose between an EK9 or EP3; I opted for the former as it was only my weekend toy and occasional track car.

Assuming it's a UK EP3 and you haven't already, I'd look into an LSD since you're doing trackdays. Quaife ATB or a DC5 gearbox come to mind.

[MurderousCrow]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting the BBK done, feeling a little impatient as I've decided to go for the Godspeed kit which isn't available just yet.

I've already fitted a Wavetrac LSD, higher 5.1 final drive, baffled sump and Yoko AD08r tyres. I wanted the car to be as trackable as possible while maintaining comfort for daily driving. For instance I'm not looking to change the suspension as yet - it already had the ABP / Eibach 30mm progressive springs, and a couple of other bits like the JDM ARB. All told it should be sweet and throttle-adjustable out on track, it certainly feels pointy and alive now I've fitted the LSD.

Edited by MurderousCrow on Thursday 2nd February 14:48