Brakes are everything. Your driving style, responsibility/irresponsibility, and weather conditions aside...concentrating on improvements on overall vehicle dynamics will benefit your car reguardless of WHO is driving. Don't bother trying to retro-fit an ABS setup. NIGHTMARE. You have options. I would say in order of cheapest to obnoxious, some of these options are:

-Better pads, better fluid, stainless lines.

-Integra GSR (if staying 4 lug) front brakes, which you can find on ebay, a boneyard (er recycler), or get the stock parts from a GSR owner that is putting on a big brake kit. GSR setup (remanufactured parts) with new rotors, altogether with new pads, no bullshit, was a few hundred bucks (to do it right.) I think it goes without saying, you don't half-ass brakes.

-Wilwoods. If you aren't resourcesfull enough, or just don't have the time, call Summit, and if memory serves they're like 500 odd dollars. I drove my buddy's 99 EX coupe around Nelson Ledges Road Course for about 40 laps with stock brakes, some motor work, and an Apex'i turbo kit. Yeah, I was keeping up with the pre-blown cobras, M3 club guys, and a few others, but when I had to brake a couple days earlier than them, it kinda defeated the purpose of all that extra power.
He then upgraded to the basic Civic EX Wilwood kit (the DX/LX kit is slightly smaller, and the calipers aren't as nice, but it's still a very good kit) and I returned the following spring. HOLY SHIT. NIGHT and DAY. Believe it. It's not a cheap kit, but amazing, and worth every penny if you've got it. Fade was minimal, came with pads and all hardware/lines, and took a beating all day long. Highly reccomend that kit. More than most people will ever use. That's a good thing.

-Brembos. I put the Brembo Gran Turisimo kit on another buddy's Type-S, and I wanted them as soon as we opened the box. Instant hard-on. Blood-red 4 piston Italian calipers, gorgeous drilled 13" rotors....just beautfiul, in appearance, AND engineering. I thought they were the best, just because they're OEM on lambos, Ferraris, Skylines...etc. Best in braking is such a relative term. They're all gonna tell you they have the best brakes. All of them. Read test reviews. Study cars that have already installed the kit you're looking at. See how they brake. Are you impressed? You'd better be if you're gonna make a healthy mortgage-payment sized deposit on a set.
He got them at COST....and I think he paid like 2100 or so. Insane. I think they're cheaper for the civic though...1900 i believe. (Keep in mind...rotor replacement is expensive as well, so are pads.) Great kit though.

-StopTech/Rotora. These are some of the newer kids on the block, and this isn't a bad thing. Both of these companies have capitalized on taking Brembo quality braking, looked for ways to improve upon it, and making it more affordable to the import croud (SUV and Euro-guys too.) I've heard great things about Rotora, and I believe they're cheaper than Brembo's. I personally have a StopTech kit. Incredible. My kit retails for 1799, though I would never pay retail, what I DID pay, was well worth it. Brakes are just amazing. No fade. NONE. The pads grip better the hotter you get them. Dust isn't that bad either, for what they are. I don't have ABS, and I could care less. I actually prefer not to have it. Better control if you've got track experience (just an oppinion.) Around town driving is no different, I don't care what anyone tells you. Cosmetically? BIG, Beautiful BRIGHT RED 4 piston calipers that are nearly as big as my 13" rotors! (They dwarf the Brembo calipers in comparison.) It's like a boobjob. Some people will notice, others won't. The ones who won't, are gay.

Project U/Endless. Great braking. Obnoxious prices. Over 2 grand...in some cases, well over. I guess if you're trying to score JDM points, it's worth it, but then again I routinely see $9000 Davin's on $1200 Monte Carlo's driving around town.



Unless it's obscenely rare, or a classic, you're gonna lose money, no matter what you do to your car. Just prioritize what you want the most, and go from there. Just don't let anyone tell you that big brake kits are a waste of money. If you do any spirited driving, and we all do...I think they're worth every penny especially if you see any track time. Remember to consider wheel spoke clearance before any purchase. The spokes on my FN01RC's are about a ****-hair away from hitting my calipers. Make sure you take everything into account before pulling the plastic out of your wallet.