Alright...so, it's time to replace some brake components this month before I do another 900 mile drive in a weekend. Looking to make minor incremental improvements to the feel and stopping power (I personally have been pretty satisfied with the brakes, but need something in the interim before I get new tires to further step up the braking).

Just wondering what people would recommend for upgraded brake pads and a higher boiling temperature brake fluid.

Currently, I'm considering the Hawk HPS performance brake pad as my first choice. Tirerack has them for $86 + shipping.

I'm not so sure about the brake fluids. The Motul RBF600 looks like a possible choice, but unfortunately, it's rather pricey.

Also, are steel braided brake lines worth it on a street driven only car (although I have quite the tendency to drive in a spirited manner)?

So, what are some other suggestions? And does anyone know of a good deals to be had on the pads and the brake fluid? Any additional advice is appreciated.

 

For brake pads, I'm using Hawk HP+ in my Prelude now. The braking has improved dramatically. It seems like these pads are better than the Project Mu HC Titan Kai brake pads that I had before. The only problems are that they are noisy and I really mean noisy. They dust a lot and I mean a lot. I was considering the Hawk HP+ for my TSX, but after seeing the noise and dust, I'm thinking about Hawk HPS.

For fluid, I only use Motul RBF600. Yes, they're quite pricy, but they do the job. I've driven my Prelude on a very very hot (think 110F) track day. The fluid didn't boil at all.

And lines, SS braided lines are an improvement. It improves the pedal feel, and kind of eliminating the "spongy" feel to it. They're not necessary for the street use, but if I were to change out the brake fluid, I would do the lines at the same time. Goodrich SS lines are what I used in both my Prelude and Integra.

 

vwong, how much brake fluid should I purchase if I'm going to do a complete flush of the brake system?

 

For my Prelude and Integra, I usually used 3 bottles. But I would buy 4 bottles just in case. I would assume it will be about the same for the TSX.

 

4 bottles...got it. Thanks.

 

These are what I have now installed:
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...ads&perfCode=S
These improve A LOT my braking but you need to clean your wheels often.
They squeal when hot but it is worth the improvement.

 

squealing brake pads seem to be the norm. Are there ANY upgrade pads that don't squeal?

 

I bought a set of Hawk HPS for the reasons vwong mentioned, less noise and dust than the HP+. I got them from MrHeelToe, he can probably hook you up w/ a good deal, at least better than tirerack. there's also a ceramic version out now I believe.

I purchased some ATE Super Blue brake fluid from ogracing(.com) in Dulles, $10.50 a bottle. It is well recommended on honda-tech and s2ki for mild racing. I only bought 2 bottles though, I was thinking that'd be enough for a full flush, but I'll have to reconsider.

I was going to flush my whole system Sunday and change pads, but I was too tired after the coilover install, and my stock pads still have a lot of life left.

 

Cool. I'll check with MrHeelToe first before I order my brake pads. Just checked ogracing for the brake fluid and it's still the same price you quoted. I may have to hit that up this weekend.

 

Endless CC-X Pads with Motul fluid.

Keep in mind that you have to flsuh out the stock fluid twice first to get the proper effect out of the Motul. The Endless pads shed a little bit of dust, but they're still great.

 

What kind of material are the stock brake pads made of?

 

kurt, can you expound some more on those endless pads?

I think I'm gonna go with the Motul brake fluid, but what do you mean exactly by flushing the stock fluid out twice?

 

I'm also looking for new rear break pads. I'm driving out to vegas this weekend and after getting back the rears should be more or less shot.

I've heard ebc are pretty good brake pads. Comments? Also any comments on what type of material I should be looking for?(ogranic, metallic, semi metallic) and what is on the car stock?

 

I thought they were some sort of ceramic compund, no?

 

After looking at tirerack it says OEM is ceramic.

 

I want something that has more "performance" than the stock stuff, but I don't want the noise/squealing that comes along with it.

Are the Hawk HPS the quietest among the other aftermarket pads?

 

I have a question. I have heard about green stuff pads are they any good at all.

 

^ I have only heard about them being used in race applications
the EBC green stuff pads, right?

 

Green Stuff

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...uff+brake+pads

 

HPS fit the bill perfectly. They are sporty enough to keep my Odyssey in like with my crazy ass driving style (I have done some really deep braking in this thing, with bad shocks I mind you, with awesomer performance that surprised even me), but totally livable as evidenced by my monther-in-law's Legacy Outback application. They last longer than OEMs on that car and they do not make any noise for either of us. Dusting is comparable to stock, if not less.

 

What a different driving regimen - I'm just now getting around to changing the brake fluid on my 6 year old Accord (only 37k mi on the odo) and the OEM pads are still fine. Good ole plain Castrol DOT4 fluid did the trick - the old stuff did have a nice brown tint to it. While I was at it I changed the clutch fluid too (same DOT4) - less of a tint on that.