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BBK once again

1914 Views 5 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  capkirk123, 
RobRac
10
As I can see there’s been a growing interest in a budget BBK mod on the forum lately so I’ve decided to share my experience on this well bitten path. To start with, I honestly admit I’ve done it mostly for fun and look but I am really satisfied with both: the look and the performance. It was my first serious brake job but it’s really straightforward and everyone who has some basic technical skills and a bit of common sense can do it. Refurbishing the calipers, if you don’t mind preowned ones, is quite easy – the repair kits are widely available.
There are two or three options to choose from, I chose the one with 350Z rotors and fastbrakes adapters as their kit included centring rings and what’s more Brian Hasty is super helpful. As I wanted to keep the balance between braking forces on both axles, he offered the adapter brackets for Pilot/MDX rotors which can be used on our cars.
So, here is what I have used for the front:
  • RL Advic calipers
  • OEM RL braking pads
  • Fastbrakes adapter kit
  • Z1 Motorsports 350Z rotors
  • Stainless steel brake lines from stop-tech
And for the rear:
  • MDX calipers
  • Integra brackets and pads
  • MDX pads
  • Fastbrakes adapter kit
  • 03-08 MDX/Pilot rotors
  • Stainless steel brake lines from stop-tech
  • Custom brackets for hand brake cables
  • Chinese alluminium caliper covers
I have also replaced my spare wheel with the Acura one.
Here are some photos illustrating crucial moments of the job:

I couldn't wait to see them on the car...
Rim Art Automotive wheel system Bicycle part Automotive design
Automotive design Rim Font Bicycle part Nickel


The calipers needed cleaning and rebuilding...
Bumper Bicycle part Automotive design Font Automotive exterior
Automotive tire Automotive wheel system Machine Fashion accessory Auto part
Black Wood Auto part Metal Household hardware


I had Advics powdercoated and I painted the rear ones
Hood Automotive design Automotive lighting Bumper Automotive exterior
Black Font Machine Space Metal


I sanded and sprayed the calipers screws with heatproof clear paint
Wood Musical instrument Automotive exterior Motor vehicle Font


The covers for the rears got shaved down to get rid of their 'proud' logos and painted to match the advics. I also replaced the fake screws with real ones. ;)
Shoe Tool Bicycle part Font Knife
Bicycle part Automotive exterior Motor vehicle Bumper Font


More pics to come in the next post
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RobRac
10
Just glueing the fakes to the real calipers seemed ridiculous so I fabricated aluminium brackets to screw them onto the nissins.
Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle brake Bicycle part Automotive design


That's what you need to do all the job:
Plant Art Font Wall Wood
Glasses Office supplies Tool Hand tool Eyewear


Some surprises on the way... I needed to file the original caliper holder to make the adapter bracket fit...
Household hardware Gas Wood Door Cylinder
Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


Then I realised that integra pads won't grasp a new rear rotor (it would get rusted), so I decided to buy another set of pads (MDX) and install the integra pad on the inner side and the mdx pad on the outer side of the rotor... I also decided to paint the rotors as they came in a strange, brownish color...
Tire Wheel Crankset Automotive tire Bicycle part
Wheel Tire Automotive tire Vehicle brake Locking hubs


In general new brakes turned out pretty nice... And tight. By the way, OEM wheels need 10mm spacers to clear the new calipers...
Vehicle Automotive design Automotive tire Motor vehicle Rim
Tire Wheel Car Motor vehicle Automotive tire
Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber



As I said, I'm absolutely happy with the mod. I was worried it would spoil the car's performance, but braking is firm and pretty quick now - I guess it has sth to do with the front rotor thickness (30mm) and new brake lines. I was terrified with a spongy feeling of the pedal at first, but after one more bleeding it got better although it is still softer than with the oem system - I got used to it after a week or so.
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RobRac
5
If you decide to do the rears as well (I do recommend this approach), you should be warned it needs custom brackets to hold the hand brake cables as MDX calipers hold them at different angles. I ended up with sth. like this:
Automotive tire Motor vehicle Toy Wheel Automotive design


You should also remember that to enjoy your bbk, you'll need to bend your original rotor shields backwards. It doesn't look nice, but it's much better than removing them. They have their job to do. Its a tricky part of the job as you obviosly don't want them to rub against the rotor or... rattle if not bent properly.
Tire Wheel Locking hubs Automotive tire Vehicle brake
Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Locking hubs Alloy wheel


You may also want to be able to use a spare wheel, so you'll have to purchase the one from RL. Mine happened to have a protruding valve and I had to unscrew the cap to let them turn freely around the caliper...
Tire Wheel Motor vehicle Car Automotive tire
Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber Automotive design Tire



There may have been minor difficulties but they were worth the final result.
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capkirk123
Why integra rear calipers? Are they bigger, or does the 9th gen just need them to clear MDX rotors? I've got a set of RL Advics calipers that I'm gonna put on my 7th gen at some point.
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RobRac
capkirk123 said:
Why integra rear calipers? Are they bigger, or does the 9th gen just need them to clear MDX rotors? I've got a set of RL Advics calipers that I'm gonna put on my 7th gen at some point.
Click to expand...
My honda brakes overview is far from the expert level - I just trusted Brian Hasty's experience. I DID NOT use Integra calipers. The MDX calipers were combined with Integra brackets. I also used Integra pads on the inner side of the rotor due to the spacing of the factory bracket. MDX pads are installed on the outer side.
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capkirk123
RobRac said:
My honda brakes overview is far from the expert level - I just trusted Brian Hasty's experience. I DID NOT use Integra calipers. The MDX calipers were combined with Integra brackets. I also used Integra pads on the inner side of the rotor due to the spacing of the factory bracket. MDX pads are installed on the outer side.
Click to expand...
I see. The front brakes look to be the same as the 7th gen, but the rear brakes are different. The 7th gen rear BBK is just a relocation bracket to fit Pilot rotors with stock calipers. Still, looks good, and I'm glad to hear the Advics calipers don't cause any issues with the Accord brake system.
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