TAco23

I think this week i am gonna tackle the front brakes. They are looking a little sketchy. First, do all 1997 CL 3.0 have "captive" rotors and a total F*%$ing pain in the nuts to change??

Second, in thinking about that and you had a choice to spend a little extra money would you upgrade or convert your brake system to something else. Converting to something else does not include Flintstoning it. I dont like scuffing my shoes.

Do i stay stock, upgrade to dual piston calipers, slotted rotors blah blah blah?

You guys tell me.
BTW the car is completely stock except for my big butt causing the car to sit about an inch lower.
Oh wait i have smoked lights is that still considered stock??

Ok now i am rambling, but its half time and the Bears are winning. Not much else to do.

P0401

iTrader: (1)

the brakes pads are easy to change, the rotors are a little different. All 97's do have captive rotors unless they have been changed

DaInFaMMuS1

I'd change it to rotor over hub if i had the chance to do so, and yes all 97's have hub over rotor

97'CL2.2

i did mine a lil while back and it really wasn't as bad as i thought it was gonna be. there is a really good vid on here that helped me out a lot. do a search for "must see for hub over rotor" and it should come up. how many miles are on your car and where are u from?...those two things will help most answer the should i do it or take it somewhere question.

TAco23

I am in Elgin, IL it is about 45 mins west of Chicago. My 3.0CL has 131k miles on it.

If i were going to do rotor over hub, what parts would i be purchasing to do the conversion?

97'CL2.2

im not sure what parts you would need for the rotor over hub conversion. Blackack should have some good info on that for you...maybe he will chime in or PM him, you caould also try searching if u havent already. i know for a slight upgrade u can go w dual piston calipers off the Legend or NSX. there is a write up on it in the DIY section. im looking into doing this upgrade also...its fairly cheap and gives good results from what ive read.

Blazin Si

For the rotor over hub conversion, you need the 98/99 hub assembly and 98/99 rotors. You'll want to check the part number on the bearings and see if they changed between the 97-98 model year. I tried to look it up, but acuraoemparts.com is extra slow today and I have no patience.

Changing rotors on the '97 isn't that bad if you have the right tools. How often do you change rotors and how long do you plan to keep the car? If you're easy on your brakes and plan on replacing the car within the next 4 or 5 years, I'd stay with the original hub over rotor design. If you change them often and/or keep the car for 10 years, the rotor over hub conversion would make it easier in the future.

732xghost

iTrader: (1)

if i had a 97 CL again this is what i would do.

im not positive but arent 3.0 calipers the same as ITR/BB6/AV6 calipers? if not i would upgrade to those (they come with 25T brackets) and Prelude VTEC front 11" rotors. Legend Dual Piston calipers are a bit overkill in my opinion.

but make life easier and convert to the 98/99 rotor over hub setup.

Blazin Si

Not sure about the Prelude, but the 3.0 calipers are the same as the ITR, Accord V6 and 95-98 Odyssey.

732xghost

iTrader: (1)

then they're the same as Prelude calipers too.

so really all the OP has to do is some front Prelude VTEC rotors and i'd say hes set.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

It's definitely worth upgrading to the 98-99 hubs if you are going to keep the car, mine are still sitting in a box waiting for new rotors cuz my 97 rotors are still brand new

97'CL2.2

aren't the prelude VTEC rotors the same diameter as the 3.0 CL rotors?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

The preludes are an inch bigger

97'CL2.2

the 3.0 came w 11.1" rotors up front also though didnt it?....so the lude has 12" rotors? everything ive found is saying the lude has 11.1" also.

Blazin Si

The 2.2 and 2.3 CL has 10" rotors. When I did the 11" upgrade, I bought '97 3.0CL rotors.

TAco23

suggestion to mods, in the DIY how about writing up a conversion thread. I guess it would only matter to 97ers, but it would be nice to see.
parts list, including years and optional upgrades and necessary removal instructions.