How to put X brakes on your EK Civic - also applies to Integras and older Civi
07-27-2009, 01:40 PM
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How to put X brakes on your EK Civic - also applies to Integras and older Civi
I've built several different setups, even invented some. And though this thread will not discuss brake theory, this will give a lot of OEM brake upgrades.There are many aftermarket brake upgrades, but also a lot of OEM ones, pulling brakes from other Honda/Acura cars and modifying them to fit. This gives you OEM reliability and OEM style replacement parts, which saves a lot of cost and headache. I am going to post my big-ass thread that was posted in the autocross and EK/EG forum. These setups were designed for the EK civic which came with either 9.5" or 10.3" brakes, and these setups can be directly translated to 88-00 Civics and 90-01 Integras. Setups refering to the "DX civics" with the 9.5" brakes work on all 88-00 Civics with the stock 9.5" brakes, and setups refering to the "EX or Si brakes" will translate to all 88-00 Civics with 10.3" stock brakes and all 90-01 Integras except the 5 lug Type-R versions.
-- (96-00 Honda Civic) Brake Upgrades --
(and Information on all 88-00 Civics / 90-01 Integras)
FRONT BRAKES OF YOUR 96-00 CIVIC
Prelude
Here I have collected brake setup information based on fact. I will list interchangeable parts, and talk about what myths are real, and which are not.
For these upgrades, I will refer to SIMILAR, not EXACT parts. Meaning the part may not be 100% identical, but has all of the same characteristics to make it interchangeable, and function the same. Such is the case with 95 Civic EX front knuckles and 95 Integra GS front knuckles. May not be the same part number, but the dimensions make it interchangable 100%. Some other parts MAY work, but I'm listing what I KNOW will work.
CIVIC BRAKES
The facts:
THE 1996-2000 Honda Civic Front Brake OEM Upgrade chart:
Weakest to strongest brake setup
These directions tell what Caliper/bracket/rotor to use that will attach to a stock 96-00 Civic DX, CX, LX. If you have an EX model, then where it says to bolt on the EX knuckle, obviously you don’t. The “>94-01 Integra” Upgrade and ">11.1CL" Upgrade would require you to put on DX/LX knuckles. If you have an EG, these upgrades are the same, and the EX knuckle for you EG people would mean the EX/SI knuckle from 94-95 ABS models, or whichever ones come stock with 10.3” front brakes. You can identify the front 10.3” brakes because the caliper mount has that hanger in the front. What it means, is that from stock, this tell what Caliper body, Caliper mounting bracket (what holds the caliper’s slide bolts and attaches it to the steering knuckle) and which rotors are used with the parts.
Legend:
B = The part bolts on, no modifications needed. You need only common car tools.
Pad choice is dictated by bracket, not caliper body.
Therefore, pads ALWAYS go with the CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET.
An asterisk (*) means that there is some machine or customization.
This is the OEM brake system. DX knuckles, DX calipers, DX rotors.
to 96-00 EX/Si
Take the complete knuckle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 90-93 Integra
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the 17CL14VN 90-93 Integra calipers, caliper mounting brackets, rotors, and pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 94-01 Integra
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the 17CL14VN 94-01 Integra calipers, caliper mounting brackets, rotors, and pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to >94-01 Integra
Use your stock knuckle (with bearing and hub). Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Grind down 97-01 Integra Type-R pads at the middle of the backing material. Use a bench grinder to take off material off the inside of the backing plate of the two outer front brake pads. Take off enough material so that it doenst touch the rotor’s hat, about two inches width wise and take the backing material back to the pad material. Go here for details: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1484555 Take the 17CL15VN ITR calipers, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Civic EX rotors, and GRINDED pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to S2G60
Grind the hangar on the underside roughly 2mm to prevent contact with the rotor's hat. Get a pair of 1992 VW Corrado V6 rotors. Get a set of 61.5mm to 6x.x mm hub centering rings for the rotor. Take the 00-06 S2000 calipers, pads, modified brackets, Corrado G60 rotors and aluminum centering hub rings and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 97-01 Integra R
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Take the 17CL15VN ITR calipers, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors, and ITR pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. You can also press the ITR hub into the civic EX bearing, and not grind the bracket, use 97-01 ITR rotors, but then you have 5-lug and will need new wheels. You may use Legend or Vigor calipers, but you should put the right caliper on the left, and vice versa, so to keep the bleeder pointed up.
to 91-96 NSX (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Take the 91-96 NSX caliper bodies, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors, and ITR pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 94-95 Legend GS (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Take the 94-95 Legend GS caliper bodies, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors, and ITR pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. Because the Legend used calipers on the backside rather than the front, your bleeder will be pointing down, so rotate the caliper 180 degrees around the upper caliper mounting bolt, and place a block in its throat while bleeding the brakes, so that you will have no air in the brake lines.
to >11.1CL
Go here for details: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2211498 This requires a good bit of machine work. Get the caliper mounting bracket, grinded 4.7mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Grind the middle of the edges of the throat of the caliper body about 1mm in and 40mm wide. Grind the bracket at the point where it contacts the hub area of the knuckle. Grind the hangar on the underside roughly 2mm to prevent contact with the rotor's hat. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get a plastic hammer and carefully bend the dust shield back so that the rotor's back surface does not touch. Get the caliper mounting bracket grinded 3.7 mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get a set of custom made hub centering rings for the rotor. Take the 99-00 RL calipers, pads, modified brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors and custom aluminum centering hub rings and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to S2000
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get 2004 RSX Type-S rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get a plastic hammer and carefully bend the dust shield back so that the rotor's back surface does not touch. Take the S2000 calipers, caliper mounting brackets, and pads, RSX Type-S redrilled rotors, and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 99-00 RL
Take the EX/Si knuckle with bearing and press the 97-01 Integra Type-R hubs into the bearings and bolt on the knuckles. Take the 28T caliper mounting brackets and place a 1.5mm washer between the knuckle and bracket, and use the 99-00 RL caliper mounting bracket bolts, as they are longer. Take the 99-00 RL calipers, 99-00 RL rotors, and 99-00 RL pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. This does use the 5-lug ITR hub, so you will need new wheels.
to >91-96 NSX (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle with bearing and press the 97-01 Integra Type-R hubs into the bearings and bolt on the knuckles. Take the 28T caliper mounting brackets and place a 1.5mm washer between the knuckle and bracket, and use the 99-00 RL caliper mounting bracket bolts, as they are longer. Take the 91-96 NSX calipers, 99-00 RL rotors, and 99-00 RL pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. This does use the 5-lug ITR hub, so you will need new wheels.
to >94-95 Legend GS (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle with bearing and press the 97-01 Integra Type-R hubs into the bearings and bolt on the knuckles. Take the 28T caliper mounting brackets and place a 1.5mm washer between the knuckle and bracket, and use the 99-00 RL caliper mounting bracket bolts, as they are longer. Take the 94-95 Legend GS calipers, 99-00 RL rotors, and 99-00 RL pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. This does use the 5-lug ITR hub, so you will need new wheels.
THE BRAKE SYSTEM:
Pedal – Brake Booster – Master Cylinder – Hardlines – Prop. Valve – Hardlines – Brake Hoses – Caliper – Brake Pad – Rotor.
How to upgrade your stock system (simplest to most complex):
TIRES!!!!!!! Your car will ONLY stop as fast as your tires allow before they slip.
Spend the money on tires. ITR brakes on your ABS civic with s-word tires will not stop as soon as stock brakes with great tires on your ABS civic because the ITR brakes will lock up the wheels.
First off, your stock rotors…unless you are a professional racer, worrying about CONSISTENT lap times in the wet with a full stripped racecar, you do NOT want drilled or slotted rotors. Your best rotors are blank cast iron rotors, such as OEM ones, or blanks. F1 cars do not have holes in their rotors, nor do rally cars. If you must have bling, go with slotted, but do not use drilled.
DO NOT use drilled rotors on any street Honda, this is why: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1437507
Pads
For pads, your OEM pads will work well, but ceramic pads will work better, and metal usually work best. If you have some cheap pads and drilled rotors, put back on your blank rotors and semi-ceramic pads, and you’ll brake better. Some people THINK drilled and slotted rotors work better, but this can be braking feel, opposed to the actual minimum 60-0 distance the car will do with ABS. The truth is that drilled and slotted rotors decrease surface area where the pad contacts. The same pressure from the piston to the pad is applied to less area, thus increasing the pressure. This means that drilled/slotted rotors heat up quicker. Now on a road this may be beneficial if you live in a cold area, but when your braking consistently, they are going to fade sooner, and those holes don't do crap for cooling, the rotor's surface and vents are going to provide a lot more cooling surface area than a few extra holes will net you. This so called improve braking CAN be percieved from the increased nose dive or lurch forward from a stronger initial bite onto a cross drilled rotor.
Wheel Style
Wheels can affect brakes. If for example you are using the >94-01 Integra brake setup with steelies and wheel covers, and you have metal pads on a track, your brakes could be fading. Using bigger, open spoked wheels can help let the heat radiate from the rotor and the caliper. Remember that both are heatsinks (the NSX has grooves in it to up surface area for this reason.) On a high speed driving day with triple digit temperatures, just letting the heat radiate out can cool the brakes faster, though I cant say how much because there are so many factors. Even the new Maybach 57S has more open wheels to cool its brakes, and even the old Taurus SHO had wheels designed like a pinwheel to pull air out of the brake area (yes this does work.)
Brake Booster
Upgrading your brake booster to the Integra (or maybe other) sized one has the only drawback of pushing the MC forward, so the hardlines aren't going to be in the same place as they were. So bending hardlines may be in order. What a bigger booster does is the same thing as increasing the pedal length, it increases the force on the MC linearly. Like it may may push on it 40% harder or so at any given point. So this basically makes your foot do less work. This is for people who have a really soft foot and want to make their car brake 'harder'. This can be done, but given the weight of the civic chassis, if you use the right sized MC with its paired caliper, no upgrade to the booster is necessary. It gets to the point where its just personal preference.
Master Cylinder relative to the Caliper
When you go to bigger caliper than use a larger piston, you are pushing more fluid through the brake lines. Therefore, you should want a larger master cylinder to push this more fluid.
General rule is…with your stock Civic DX, with the stock front calipers, keep your 13/16” MC. Any bigger and your pedal will be too stiff.
With EX/Si calipers, use a 7/8” MC from a 96-00 EX or 99-00 Si because of the more fluid going to a larger piston.
With ITR/Legend/Vigor/Accord V6 or Integra DA or DC calipers, use a 15/16” MC from a 98-01 Integra LS to accommodate for the even more fluid. Any smaller of a MC will cause the pedal swing to be too long.
With NSX or Legend GS calipers that have two pistons, or an aftermarket caliper with multiple pistons, you’ll want a 1” MC because of even more fluid required to push all the pistons. Get the 1” MC from a 98-01 Integra GSR or ITR MC as it bolts onto the EK brake booster.
When changing out a master cylinder, be sure to 'bench bleed' it first. This involves having fluid in the resovoir and pumping it unconnected to allow fluid to fill the internals. If you don't do this, you can still bleed the car, but you may be at it all day, since air pockets may stick in there. Research bench bleeding before you attempt this on your own.
A bigger caliper usually has a bigger bracket, thus holds a bigger surface area pad. This is generally better, and that’s why on a Civic, you swap on an Integra caliper, because the piston is bigger (more fluid, that doesn’t help) but the pad is bigger, and the piston disperses its energy over more area because of a larger contact surface with the shim.
Now, an ITR brake system on a Civic with crummy pads, drilled rotors, stainless lines and old, water absorbed brake fluid may stop just as well as an Integra GS brake system on a Civic with good tires, semi-ceramic pads, new fluid, and blank rotors. This page is telling how to upgrade, and yes, with the same other factors, you will have a shorter 60-0 distance and less brake fade. But there are many other factors of your brake system. If you have air bubbles in the lines, it will suck. So don’t complain if you went to an aftermarket kit, or a 5-lug full ITR suspension and don’t feel like it stops as well as your civic did bone stock. It may be worse, may be better, but I can’t tell you exactly HOW much worse or better it is without knowing everything specifically.
[b]
REAR BRAKES OF YOUR 96-00 CIVIC
All but the OEM drums are considered upgrades because…I can't find any OEM larger drums that will bolt onto a civic. Even if I did, you'd still have to unbolt the drum spindle, so it’s just as much of a pain in the ass, if not more so, because most disc swaps…people swap the whole trailing arm. You may debate whether or not drums stop better than discs, but on a Civic, yes; discs ARE better at stopping you. Drums may last longer, but were interested in smaller 60-0 distances.
Common Interchangeability questions:
*When doing a rear disc conversion on an EK, you ONLY need the spindle, NOT the whole trailing arm. The spindle is held on by four T50 torx bolts and one 24mm bolt on all EF, EG, EK, DA, and DC chassis. Yes, the Torx bolts are hard to get out, and torque hard.
*88-00 Civic and 90-01 Integra Trailing arms are all interchangeable; all but the center bushing is the same.
*On an EK, use your stock LCAs, UCAs, and compensator arms or you will affect suspension geometry.
*Not all calipers may be 100% identical, but calipers and mounting brackets are Interchangeable between calipers on the following models: 88-91 CRX Si, 90-91 Civic Sedan EX, 99-00 Si, 94-95 Si with ABS, 96-97 Civic del Sol VTEC, 90-93 Integra,94-01 Integra (all models exc. Type-R)
*Civic drum rear brakes are lighter than Integra disc brakes by 7lbs spindle verse spindle.
*Civic Rear Discs are lighter than Integra Rear Discs (as a complete spindle, the rotors are identical), I don't know by how much.
*As of now, I know of no way to swap front calipers to use on the back. The caliper mount points are much farther apart for front caliper brackets, and most Hondas take solid rear discs, which are solid opposed to ventilated rotors, and they are much thinner. Also, you would have no e-brake mechanism because front calipers don’t have integrated e-brake parts.
THE 1996-2000 Honda Civic Rear Brake OEM Upgrade chart:
Weakest to strongest brake setup
Legend:
7CLP13S = 99-00 Si Caliper/CRX Si/90-01 Integra Caliper
Not all (7CLP13S) calipers/brackets may be 100% Identical, but calipers and mounting brackets are Interchangeable between calipers on the following models:
88-91 CRX Si, 90-91 Civic Sedan EX, 99-00 Si, 94-95 Si with ABS, 96-97 Del Sol VTEC, 90-93 Integra,94-01 Integra (all models exc. Type-R)
Si = Refers to the 7CLP13S (or equivelent) caliper and relative bracket
9CLP14S = EP3 Calipers/ RSX calipers
3EP = RSX/EP3 rear caliper bracket
*To use RSX/EP3 Calipers on a Civic/Integra with civic/ Integra e-brake cables, the e-brake attachment lever will need to be switched from any 7CLP13S caliper body.
*91-95 Legend rear calipers on a Civic/Teg with the 10.4" rotors uses the lighter Legend caliper, because it’s a caliper with just a piston, so it eliminates the e-brake cable and parts (for track cars). The 91-95 Legend used a separate drum for an e-brake.
*The NSX Calipers on a Civic/Teg is not reccomended to be paired with any front setup with less than an 11.8" rotor unless the car has had weight distribution modification for track use, etc. This setup is very stong and on most setups, rear bias the car too much.
Stock 96-00 Civic DX
This is the OEM brake system. DX drum spindles, DX slave cylinder, DX drums
to 88-91 CRX Si
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 92-95 Civic Si / 96-97 Del Sol VTEC
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. You can use the 92-95 Civic Si or 96-97 Del Sol VTEC e-brake cables if 99-00 Si cables are not available, but they may be a bit long, so use the adjustment screw.
to 99-00 Civic Si
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 90-01 Integra (exc. ITR)
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. You can use the 94-01 Integra e-brake cables if 99-00 Si cables are not available, but they will be a bit long, so use the adjustment screw.
to >90-01 Integra (exc. ITR)
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, and calipers) and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use 02-03 Civic Si (EP3) caliper bracket mounts, 90-01 Integra brake pads, and EP3 rotors. Since the EP3 uses a 4x100 10.2” rear rotor, you will use the small Integra brake pad, but with the bracket will be spaced out farther from the center. You can use the 94-01 Integra e-brake cables if 99-00 Si cables are not available, but they will be a bit long, so use the adjustment screw.
to 02-03 Civic Si
Take the rear spindle (with bearing and hub) from any 88-00 Civic with rear discs, or 94-01 Integra and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use 02-03 Civic Si (EP3) caliper bracket mounts, 02-03 Civic Si EP3 brake pads, and 02-03 Civic Si EP3 rotors. To use RSX or EP3 Calipers on a Civic/Integra with Civic/Integra e-brake cables, use the e-brake attachment lever swapped on from any 7CLP13S caliper body. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 02-06 RSX/ 04-05 Civic Si
Take the rear spindle from any 88-00 Civic with rear discs, or 94-01 Integra and swap them onto the Civic DX. Bolt the 5x114.3 hub from a 97-01 Integra Type-R on. Use 02-03 Civic Si (EP3) caliper bracket mounts, RSX brake pads, and 97-01 Integra Type-R rotors. To use RSX or EP3 Calipers on a Civic/Integra with Civic/Integra e-brake cables, use the e-brake attachment lever swapped on from any 7CLP13S caliper body. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables. You will need 5-lug wheels.
to 96-00 Civic Type-R
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) from a 96-00 Civic Type-R and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 96-00 Civic Type-R e-brake cables. You will need 5-lug wheels.
to 91-95 Legend
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, rotors, and pads) from a 97-01 Integra Type-R and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 91-95 Legend calipers and caliper hangars. You will no longer have an e-brake. You will need 5-lug wheels.
to 00-06 S2000
Get a custom spindle bracket adapter made. Remove everything bolted to the rear drum spindle except the trailing arm. Install the bracket onto the spindle and reattach the hub. Get 00-06 S2000 rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get the ITR calipers, pads, caliper mounting bracket, redrilled 00-06 S2000 rotors, hub centering rings, and custom caliper mounting bracket adapter and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 91-96 NSX
Get a custom spindle bracket adapter made. Remove everything bolted to the rear drum spindle except the trailing arm. Install the bracket onto the spindle and reattach the hub. Get 91-96 NSX rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get a set of custom made hub centering rings for the rotor. Swap the left L-bracket that the e-brake cable goes through from a 7CLP13S caliper onto the rear right NSX caliper, and right to left. Get the NSX calipers, pads, caliper mounting bracket, redrilled 91-96 NSX rotors, hub centering rings, and custom caliper mounting bracket adapter and swap them onto the Civic DX.. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
Drum to Disc Conversion - Brake Fluid Line Interchangeability
When you remove rear drums and convert to discs, if you are using 99-00 Si spindles and brake lines, everything is fine. However, other brake lines may not work. You do want 99-00 Civic Si or 96-00 Civic Type-R brake lines because the drum takes a different fitting. Regardless of what caliper you use, all rear calipers (and front) take a banjo bolt for the brake fluid, so they use an O-shaped connector opposed to the female fitting that connects to the hardlines on the frame of the car. So when converting from drum to disc, or disc to drum, the brake fluid lines are not the same, and regardless of which rear caliper you use, use brake hoses intended for a 99-00 Civic Si (OEM or aftermarket.)
E-brake
The emergency brake cables meant for a drum setup has a totally different end at the caliper/drum part, so those for a drum are not the same as those for a caliper.
Ideally you want to use 99-00 Si e-brake cables, but those from a 94-01 Integra work, as I have them on my 96 Civic right now, just adjust the adjusting screw more toward the front. Also the clamp that holds both cables in place wont line up, but you can move it to where it will, though only one bolt will go into the frame, not both.
Brake Bias - Front and Rear Caliper Pairing
Generally, when you go to bigger caliper than use a larger piston, you are pushing more fluid through the brake lines. Therefore, you should want a larger master cylinder to push this more fluid.
However, since the rear brake’s drum slave cylinder, or caliper piston, take much less fluid than the front brakes. Also, since you should have more powerful front brakes on your front wheel drive, front-engined car (70% to 80% of braking on the front wheels) then it is not necessary to consider rear brakes when upgrading master cylinders. Converting from drums to the 99 Si discs, about the same fluid is used, so the stock MC will be fine. If you had the DX front brakes and put on ITR rear calipers and EP3 discs, then you may want a step for master cylinders, though I recommend against this because the rear disc will be larger than the front, and the rears will lockup well before the front, meaning your rear wheels brake traction before the front brakes can do their job effectively. This means the bigger brakes can't do their job.
General rule for brake biasing is…
-With your stock Civic DX, with the stock front calipers, keep the drums it has.
-With EX/Si front brakes, upgrade to the rear 7CLP13S caliper and 9.4” rear discs.
-With Integra DA or DC calipers, or ITR calipers over a 10.3” rotor, upgrade the rear to the 7CLP13S caliper with the EP3 mounting bracket and over EP3 rotors. This gives you 10.2” rotors, however you still use the smaller brake pad and caliper, just spacing it out further, to reduce nose dive, and give a bump in back brake power since the 57mm piston of Integra calipers is more clamping power than the 2” piston of the Civic EX calipers.
-With ITR/Legend/Vigor/Accord V6 or with NSX or Legend GS calipers that have two pistons, or an aftermarket caliper with multiple pistons, or any front setup using a 11.1” rotor or bigger, OR if you did the 23T over 10.3” rotor hybrid, and are using two piston calipers with them, use the 10.2” rear rotor with the 9CLP14S rear calipers. If you have a track only car, I recommend 91-95 Legend rear calipers, as they are simpler, lighter and have no e-brake mechanism to deal with.
Brake Bias - Proportioning Valve
Swapping to a 96-99 CX or 99-00 Si prop. valve when installing rear discs.
The 99-00 Civic Si comes with the same shaped proportioning valve as any 96-00 Civic, so swapping the proportioning valve is a bolt on job, which can be done with a few offset brake line wrenches. The stock drum proportioning valve, when the brake pedal is applied, sends fluid to the rear drums only. This is because the drum shoes are a few millimeters from the drum, so the fluid initially moves the pads to touch the drum, whereas with a pad and rotor, the pad is so close that it brushes along the rotor while driving. After the shoe touches the drum, the proportioning valve sends fluid to the front calipers as well, and then acts as a hub for the fluid. So a rear drum intended prop. valve in a car with four wheel discs is not the end of the world.
The 99-00 SI proportioning valve acts as a hub more of the time, since the back brakes are calipers, there is no need to send so much fluid initially to the back brakes because they are calipers, and use pads that also brush against the rotor constantly. Therefore, a rear disc intended prop. valve in a car with front discs and rear drums would be very bad.
When you swap from drum to disc rear brakes, obviously its best that you use a prop. valve that was meant for it. Though I recommend that you install the 99-00 Si prop valve on your 96-00 Civic when you put rear discs on it, because of how it works, I do not have it on my rear disc equipped 1996 Civic. I do not track race, and have good tires, and on the streets, have not locked up the rear tires before the fronts because I can brake very hard and not lockup the tires. I do not have ABS.
REMEMBER......
Your car will only stop as fast as your tires will allow. All the braking in the world wont work if your tires are bald and on ice!!
Feel free to PM me for brakes, I do make some of these custom setups.
-- (96-00 Honda Civic) Brake Upgrades --
(and Information on all 88-00 Civics / 90-01 Integras)
FRONT BRAKES OF YOUR 96-00 CIVIC
Prelude
Here I have collected brake setup information based on fact. I will list interchangeable parts, and talk about what myths are real, and which are not.
For these upgrades, I will refer to SIMILAR, not EXACT parts. Meaning the part may not be 100% identical, but has all of the same characteristics to make it interchangeable, and function the same. Such is the case with 95 Civic EX front knuckles and 95 Integra GS front knuckles. May not be the same part number, but the dimensions make it interchangable 100%. Some other parts MAY work, but I'm listing what I KNOW will work.
CIVIC BRAKES
The facts:
THE 1996-2000 Honda Civic Front Brake OEM Upgrade chart:
Weakest to strongest brake setup
These directions tell what Caliper/bracket/rotor to use that will attach to a stock 96-00 Civic DX, CX, LX. If you have an EX model, then where it says to bolt on the EX knuckle, obviously you don’t. The “>94-01 Integra” Upgrade and ">11.1CL" Upgrade would require you to put on DX/LX knuckles. If you have an EG, these upgrades are the same, and the EX knuckle for you EG people would mean the EX/SI knuckle from 94-95 ABS models, or whichever ones come stock with 10.3” front brakes. You can identify the front 10.3” brakes because the caliper mount has that hanger in the front. What it means, is that from stock, this tell what Caliper body, Caliper mounting bracket (what holds the caliper’s slide bolts and attaches it to the steering knuckle) and which rotors are used with the parts.
Legend:
B = The part bolts on, no modifications needed. You need only common car tools.
Pad choice is dictated by bracket, not caliper body.
Therefore, pads ALWAYS go with the CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET.
An asterisk (*) means that there is some machine or customization.
This is the OEM brake system. DX knuckles, DX calipers, DX rotors.
to 96-00 EX/Si
Take the complete knuckle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 90-93 Integra
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the 17CL14VN 90-93 Integra calipers, caliper mounting brackets, rotors, and pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 94-01 Integra
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the 17CL14VN 94-01 Integra calipers, caliper mounting brackets, rotors, and pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to >94-01 Integra
Use your stock knuckle (with bearing and hub). Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Grind down 97-01 Integra Type-R pads at the middle of the backing material. Use a bench grinder to take off material off the inside of the backing plate of the two outer front brake pads. Take off enough material so that it doenst touch the rotor’s hat, about two inches width wise and take the backing material back to the pad material. Go here for details: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1484555 Take the 17CL15VN ITR calipers, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Civic EX rotors, and GRINDED pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to S2G60
Grind the hangar on the underside roughly 2mm to prevent contact with the rotor's hat. Get a pair of 1992 VW Corrado V6 rotors. Get a set of 61.5mm to 6x.x mm hub centering rings for the rotor. Take the 00-06 S2000 calipers, pads, modified brackets, Corrado G60 rotors and aluminum centering hub rings and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 97-01 Integra R
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Take the 17CL15VN ITR calipers, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors, and ITR pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. You can also press the ITR hub into the civic EX bearing, and not grind the bracket, use 97-01 ITR rotors, but then you have 5-lug and will need new wheels. You may use Legend or Vigor calipers, but you should put the right caliper on the left, and vice versa, so to keep the bleeder pointed up.
to 91-96 NSX (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Take the 91-96 NSX caliper bodies, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors, and ITR pads and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 94-95 Legend GS (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get the caliper mounting bracket, 23T, grinded 3.2mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Take the 94-95 Legend GS caliper bodies, 23T GRINDED caliper mounting brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors, and ITR pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. Because the Legend used calipers on the backside rather than the front, your bleeder will be pointing down, so rotate the caliper 180 degrees around the upper caliper mounting bolt, and place a block in its throat while bleeding the brakes, so that you will have no air in the brake lines.
to >11.1CL
Go here for details: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2211498 This requires a good bit of machine work. Get the caliper mounting bracket, grinded 4.7mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Grind the middle of the edges of the throat of the caliper body about 1mm in and 40mm wide. Grind the bracket at the point where it contacts the hub area of the knuckle. Grind the hangar on the underside roughly 2mm to prevent contact with the rotor's hat. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get 1996 Prelude VTEC rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get a plastic hammer and carefully bend the dust shield back so that the rotor's back surface does not touch. Get the caliper mounting bracket grinded 3.7 mm off of the surface where it mounts to the knuckle. Get a set of custom made hub centering rings for the rotor. Take the 99-00 RL calipers, pads, modified brackets, Prelude VTEC rotors and custom aluminum centering hub rings and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to S2000
Take the EX/Si knuckle (with bearing and hub) and bolt on the knuckles. Get 2004 RSX Type-S rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get a plastic hammer and carefully bend the dust shield back so that the rotor's back surface does not touch. Take the S2000 calipers, caliper mounting brackets, and pads, RSX Type-S redrilled rotors, and swap them onto the Civic DX.
to 99-00 RL
Take the EX/Si knuckle with bearing and press the 97-01 Integra Type-R hubs into the bearings and bolt on the knuckles. Take the 28T caliper mounting brackets and place a 1.5mm washer between the knuckle and bracket, and use the 99-00 RL caliper mounting bracket bolts, as they are longer. Take the 99-00 RL calipers, 99-00 RL rotors, and 99-00 RL pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. This does use the 5-lug ITR hub, so you will need new wheels.
to >91-96 NSX (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle with bearing and press the 97-01 Integra Type-R hubs into the bearings and bolt on the knuckles. Take the 28T caliper mounting brackets and place a 1.5mm washer between the knuckle and bracket, and use the 99-00 RL caliper mounting bracket bolts, as they are longer. Take the 91-96 NSX calipers, 99-00 RL rotors, and 99-00 RL pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. This does use the 5-lug ITR hub, so you will need new wheels.
to >94-95 Legend GS (2pot)
Take the EX/Si knuckle with bearing and press the 97-01 Integra Type-R hubs into the bearings and bolt on the knuckles. Take the 28T caliper mounting brackets and place a 1.5mm washer between the knuckle and bracket, and use the 99-00 RL caliper mounting bracket bolts, as they are longer. Take the 94-95 Legend GS calipers, 99-00 RL rotors, and 99-00 RL pads and swap them onto the Civic DX. This does use the 5-lug ITR hub, so you will need new wheels.
THE BRAKE SYSTEM:
Pedal – Brake Booster – Master Cylinder – Hardlines – Prop. Valve – Hardlines – Brake Hoses – Caliper – Brake Pad – Rotor.
How to upgrade your stock system (simplest to most complex):
TIRES!!!!!!! Your car will ONLY stop as fast as your tires allow before they slip.
Spend the money on tires. ITR brakes on your ABS civic with s-word tires will not stop as soon as stock brakes with great tires on your ABS civic because the ITR brakes will lock up the wheels.
First off, your stock rotors…unless you are a professional racer, worrying about CONSISTENT lap times in the wet with a full stripped racecar, you do NOT want drilled or slotted rotors. Your best rotors are blank cast iron rotors, such as OEM ones, or blanks. F1 cars do not have holes in their rotors, nor do rally cars. If you must have bling, go with slotted, but do not use drilled.
DO NOT use drilled rotors on any street Honda, this is why: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1437507
Pads
For pads, your OEM pads will work well, but ceramic pads will work better, and metal usually work best. If you have some cheap pads and drilled rotors, put back on your blank rotors and semi-ceramic pads, and you’ll brake better. Some people THINK drilled and slotted rotors work better, but this can be braking feel, opposed to the actual minimum 60-0 distance the car will do with ABS. The truth is that drilled and slotted rotors decrease surface area where the pad contacts. The same pressure from the piston to the pad is applied to less area, thus increasing the pressure. This means that drilled/slotted rotors heat up quicker. Now on a road this may be beneficial if you live in a cold area, but when your braking consistently, they are going to fade sooner, and those holes don't do crap for cooling, the rotor's surface and vents are going to provide a lot more cooling surface area than a few extra holes will net you. This so called improve braking CAN be percieved from the increased nose dive or lurch forward from a stronger initial bite onto a cross drilled rotor.
Wheel Style
Wheels can affect brakes. If for example you are using the >94-01 Integra brake setup with steelies and wheel covers, and you have metal pads on a track, your brakes could be fading. Using bigger, open spoked wheels can help let the heat radiate from the rotor and the caliper. Remember that both are heatsinks (the NSX has grooves in it to up surface area for this reason.) On a high speed driving day with triple digit temperatures, just letting the heat radiate out can cool the brakes faster, though I cant say how much because there are so many factors. Even the new Maybach 57S has more open wheels to cool its brakes, and even the old Taurus SHO had wheels designed like a pinwheel to pull air out of the brake area (yes this does work.)
Brake Booster
Upgrading your brake booster to the Integra (or maybe other) sized one has the only drawback of pushing the MC forward, so the hardlines aren't going to be in the same place as they were. So bending hardlines may be in order. What a bigger booster does is the same thing as increasing the pedal length, it increases the force on the MC linearly. Like it may may push on it 40% harder or so at any given point. So this basically makes your foot do less work. This is for people who have a really soft foot and want to make their car brake 'harder'. This can be done, but given the weight of the civic chassis, if you use the right sized MC with its paired caliper, no upgrade to the booster is necessary. It gets to the point where its just personal preference.
Master Cylinder relative to the Caliper
When you go to bigger caliper than use a larger piston, you are pushing more fluid through the brake lines. Therefore, you should want a larger master cylinder to push this more fluid.
General rule is…with your stock Civic DX, with the stock front calipers, keep your 13/16” MC. Any bigger and your pedal will be too stiff.
With EX/Si calipers, use a 7/8” MC from a 96-00 EX or 99-00 Si because of the more fluid going to a larger piston.
With ITR/Legend/Vigor/Accord V6 or Integra DA or DC calipers, use a 15/16” MC from a 98-01 Integra LS to accommodate for the even more fluid. Any smaller of a MC will cause the pedal swing to be too long.
With NSX or Legend GS calipers that have two pistons, or an aftermarket caliper with multiple pistons, you’ll want a 1” MC because of even more fluid required to push all the pistons. Get the 1” MC from a 98-01 Integra GSR or ITR MC as it bolts onto the EK brake booster.
When changing out a master cylinder, be sure to 'bench bleed' it first. This involves having fluid in the resovoir and pumping it unconnected to allow fluid to fill the internals. If you don't do this, you can still bleed the car, but you may be at it all day, since air pockets may stick in there. Research bench bleeding before you attempt this on your own.
A bigger caliper usually has a bigger bracket, thus holds a bigger surface area pad. This is generally better, and that’s why on a Civic, you swap on an Integra caliper, because the piston is bigger (more fluid, that doesn’t help) but the pad is bigger, and the piston disperses its energy over more area because of a larger contact surface with the shim.
Now, an ITR brake system on a Civic with crummy pads, drilled rotors, stainless lines and old, water absorbed brake fluid may stop just as well as an Integra GS brake system on a Civic with good tires, semi-ceramic pads, new fluid, and blank rotors. This page is telling how to upgrade, and yes, with the same other factors, you will have a shorter 60-0 distance and less brake fade. But there are many other factors of your brake system. If you have air bubbles in the lines, it will suck. So don’t complain if you went to an aftermarket kit, or a 5-lug full ITR suspension and don’t feel like it stops as well as your civic did bone stock. It may be worse, may be better, but I can’t tell you exactly HOW much worse or better it is without knowing everything specifically.
[b]
REAR BRAKES OF YOUR 96-00 CIVIC
All but the OEM drums are considered upgrades because…I can't find any OEM larger drums that will bolt onto a civic. Even if I did, you'd still have to unbolt the drum spindle, so it’s just as much of a pain in the ass, if not more so, because most disc swaps…people swap the whole trailing arm. You may debate whether or not drums stop better than discs, but on a Civic, yes; discs ARE better at stopping you. Drums may last longer, but were interested in smaller 60-0 distances.
Common Interchangeability questions:
*When doing a rear disc conversion on an EK, you ONLY need the spindle, NOT the whole trailing arm. The spindle is held on by four T50 torx bolts and one 24mm bolt on all EF, EG, EK, DA, and DC chassis. Yes, the Torx bolts are hard to get out, and torque hard.
*88-00 Civic and 90-01 Integra Trailing arms are all interchangeable; all but the center bushing is the same.
*On an EK, use your stock LCAs, UCAs, and compensator arms or you will affect suspension geometry.
*Not all calipers may be 100% identical, but calipers and mounting brackets are Interchangeable between calipers on the following models: 88-91 CRX Si, 90-91 Civic Sedan EX, 99-00 Si, 94-95 Si with ABS, 96-97 Civic del Sol VTEC, 90-93 Integra,94-01 Integra (all models exc. Type-R)
*Civic drum rear brakes are lighter than Integra disc brakes by 7lbs spindle verse spindle.
*Civic Rear Discs are lighter than Integra Rear Discs (as a complete spindle, the rotors are identical), I don't know by how much.
*As of now, I know of no way to swap front calipers to use on the back. The caliper mount points are much farther apart for front caliper brackets, and most Hondas take solid rear discs, which are solid opposed to ventilated rotors, and they are much thinner. Also, you would have no e-brake mechanism because front calipers don’t have integrated e-brake parts.
THE 1996-2000 Honda Civic Rear Brake OEM Upgrade chart:
Weakest to strongest brake setup
Legend:
7CLP13S = 99-00 Si Caliper/CRX Si/90-01 Integra Caliper
Not all (7CLP13S) calipers/brackets may be 100% Identical, but calipers and mounting brackets are Interchangeable between calipers on the following models:
88-91 CRX Si, 90-91 Civic Sedan EX, 99-00 Si, 94-95 Si with ABS, 96-97 Del Sol VTEC, 90-93 Integra,94-01 Integra (all models exc. Type-R)
Si = Refers to the 7CLP13S (or equivelent) caliper and relative bracket
9CLP14S = EP3 Calipers/ RSX calipers
3EP = RSX/EP3 rear caliper bracket
*To use RSX/EP3 Calipers on a Civic/Integra with civic/ Integra e-brake cables, the e-brake attachment lever will need to be switched from any 7CLP13S caliper body.
*91-95 Legend rear calipers on a Civic/Teg with the 10.4" rotors uses the lighter Legend caliper, because it’s a caliper with just a piston, so it eliminates the e-brake cable and parts (for track cars). The 91-95 Legend used a separate drum for an e-brake.
*The NSX Calipers on a Civic/Teg is not reccomended to be paired with any front setup with less than an 11.8" rotor unless the car has had weight distribution modification for track use, etc. This setup is very stong and on most setups, rear bias the car too much.
Stock 96-00 Civic DX
This is the OEM brake system. DX drum spindles, DX slave cylinder, DX drums
to 88-91 CRX Si
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 92-95 Civic Si / 96-97 Del Sol VTEC
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. You can use the 92-95 Civic Si or 96-97 Del Sol VTEC e-brake cables if 99-00 Si cables are not available, but they may be a bit long, so use the adjustment screw.
to 99-00 Civic Si
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 90-01 Integra (exc. ITR)
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) and swap them onto the Civic DX. You can use the 94-01 Integra e-brake cables if 99-00 Si cables are not available, but they will be a bit long, so use the adjustment screw.
to >90-01 Integra (exc. ITR)
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, and calipers) and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use 02-03 Civic Si (EP3) caliper bracket mounts, 90-01 Integra brake pads, and EP3 rotors. Since the EP3 uses a 4x100 10.2” rear rotor, you will use the small Integra brake pad, but with the bracket will be spaced out farther from the center. You can use the 94-01 Integra e-brake cables if 99-00 Si cables are not available, but they will be a bit long, so use the adjustment screw.
to 02-03 Civic Si
Take the rear spindle (with bearing and hub) from any 88-00 Civic with rear discs, or 94-01 Integra and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use 02-03 Civic Si (EP3) caliper bracket mounts, 02-03 Civic Si EP3 brake pads, and 02-03 Civic Si EP3 rotors. To use RSX or EP3 Calipers on a Civic/Integra with Civic/Integra e-brake cables, use the e-brake attachment lever swapped on from any 7CLP13S caliper body. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 02-06 RSX/ 04-05 Civic Si
Take the rear spindle from any 88-00 Civic with rear discs, or 94-01 Integra and swap them onto the Civic DX. Bolt the 5x114.3 hub from a 97-01 Integra Type-R on. Use 02-03 Civic Si (EP3) caliper bracket mounts, RSX brake pads, and 97-01 Integra Type-R rotors. To use RSX or EP3 Calipers on a Civic/Integra with Civic/Integra e-brake cables, use the e-brake attachment lever swapped on from any 7CLP13S caliper body. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables. You will need 5-lug wheels.
to 96-00 Civic Type-R
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, calipers, caliper hangars, rotors, and pads) from a 96-00 Civic Type-R and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 96-00 Civic Type-R e-brake cables. You will need 5-lug wheels.
to 91-95 Legend
Take the rear spindle (with bearing, hub, rotors, and pads) from a 97-01 Integra Type-R and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 91-95 Legend calipers and caliper hangars. You will no longer have an e-brake. You will need 5-lug wheels.
to 00-06 S2000
Get a custom spindle bracket adapter made. Remove everything bolted to the rear drum spindle except the trailing arm. Install the bracket onto the spindle and reattach the hub. Get 00-06 S2000 rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get the ITR calipers, pads, caliper mounting bracket, redrilled 00-06 S2000 rotors, hub centering rings, and custom caliper mounting bracket adapter and swap them onto the Civic DX. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
to 91-96 NSX
Get a custom spindle bracket adapter made. Remove everything bolted to the rear drum spindle except the trailing arm. Install the bracket onto the spindle and reattach the hub. Get 91-96 NSX rotors re-drilled to fit the 4x100 hub. Get a set of custom made hub centering rings for the rotor. Swap the left L-bracket that the e-brake cable goes through from a 7CLP13S caliper onto the rear right NSX caliper, and right to left. Get the NSX calipers, pads, caliper mounting bracket, redrilled 91-96 NSX rotors, hub centering rings, and custom caliper mounting bracket adapter and swap them onto the Civic DX.. Use the 99-00 Civic Si e-brake cables.
Drum to Disc Conversion - Brake Fluid Line Interchangeability
When you remove rear drums and convert to discs, if you are using 99-00 Si spindles and brake lines, everything is fine. However, other brake lines may not work. You do want 99-00 Civic Si or 96-00 Civic Type-R brake lines because the drum takes a different fitting. Regardless of what caliper you use, all rear calipers (and front) take a banjo bolt for the brake fluid, so they use an O-shaped connector opposed to the female fitting that connects to the hardlines on the frame of the car. So when converting from drum to disc, or disc to drum, the brake fluid lines are not the same, and regardless of which rear caliper you use, use brake hoses intended for a 99-00 Civic Si (OEM or aftermarket.)
E-brake
The emergency brake cables meant for a drum setup has a totally different end at the caliper/drum part, so those for a drum are not the same as those for a caliper.
Ideally you want to use 99-00 Si e-brake cables, but those from a 94-01 Integra work, as I have them on my 96 Civic right now, just adjust the adjusting screw more toward the front. Also the clamp that holds both cables in place wont line up, but you can move it to where it will, though only one bolt will go into the frame, not both.
Brake Bias - Front and Rear Caliper Pairing
Generally, when you go to bigger caliper than use a larger piston, you are pushing more fluid through the brake lines. Therefore, you should want a larger master cylinder to push this more fluid.
However, since the rear brake’s drum slave cylinder, or caliper piston, take much less fluid than the front brakes. Also, since you should have more powerful front brakes on your front wheel drive, front-engined car (70% to 80% of braking on the front wheels) then it is not necessary to consider rear brakes when upgrading master cylinders. Converting from drums to the 99 Si discs, about the same fluid is used, so the stock MC will be fine. If you had the DX front brakes and put on ITR rear calipers and EP3 discs, then you may want a step for master cylinders, though I recommend against this because the rear disc will be larger than the front, and the rears will lockup well before the front, meaning your rear wheels brake traction before the front brakes can do their job effectively. This means the bigger brakes can't do their job.
General rule for brake biasing is…
-With your stock Civic DX, with the stock front calipers, keep the drums it has.
-With EX/Si front brakes, upgrade to the rear 7CLP13S caliper and 9.4” rear discs.
-With Integra DA or DC calipers, or ITR calipers over a 10.3” rotor, upgrade the rear to the 7CLP13S caliper with the EP3 mounting bracket and over EP3 rotors. This gives you 10.2” rotors, however you still use the smaller brake pad and caliper, just spacing it out further, to reduce nose dive, and give a bump in back brake power since the 57mm piston of Integra calipers is more clamping power than the 2” piston of the Civic EX calipers.
-With ITR/Legend/Vigor/Accord V6 or with NSX or Legend GS calipers that have two pistons, or an aftermarket caliper with multiple pistons, or any front setup using a 11.1” rotor or bigger, OR if you did the 23T over 10.3” rotor hybrid, and are using two piston calipers with them, use the 10.2” rear rotor with the 9CLP14S rear calipers. If you have a track only car, I recommend 91-95 Legend rear calipers, as they are simpler, lighter and have no e-brake mechanism to deal with.
Brake Bias - Proportioning Valve
Swapping to a 96-99 CX or 99-00 Si prop. valve when installing rear discs.
The 99-00 Civic Si comes with the same shaped proportioning valve as any 96-00 Civic, so swapping the proportioning valve is a bolt on job, which can be done with a few offset brake line wrenches. The stock drum proportioning valve, when the brake pedal is applied, sends fluid to the rear drums only. This is because the drum shoes are a few millimeters from the drum, so the fluid initially moves the pads to touch the drum, whereas with a pad and rotor, the pad is so close that it brushes along the rotor while driving. After the shoe touches the drum, the proportioning valve sends fluid to the front calipers as well, and then acts as a hub for the fluid. So a rear drum intended prop. valve in a car with four wheel discs is not the end of the world.
The 99-00 SI proportioning valve acts as a hub more of the time, since the back brakes are calipers, there is no need to send so much fluid initially to the back brakes because they are calipers, and use pads that also brush against the rotor constantly. Therefore, a rear disc intended prop. valve in a car with front discs and rear drums would be very bad.
When you swap from drum to disc rear brakes, obviously its best that you use a prop. valve that was meant for it. Though I recommend that you install the 99-00 Si prop valve on your 96-00 Civic when you put rear discs on it, because of how it works, I do not have it on my rear disc equipped 1996 Civic. I do not track race, and have good tires, and on the streets, have not locked up the rear tires before the fronts because I can brake very hard and not lockup the tires. I do not have ABS.
REMEMBER......
Your car will only stop as fast as your tires will allow. All the braking in the world wont work if your tires are bald and on ice!!
Feel free to PM me for brakes, I do make some of these custom setups.
