EliteCM.net

Here's a pretty simple How To for swapping your calipers.  If you've ever replaced your rotors, then you'll find this just as easy, with only the addition of bleeding your brakes after you swap the calipers.

I'll be updating the post with pics eventually.

Parts Needed
1994-95 Acura Legend GS Sedan dual piston calipers - OEM Part #
Left Caliper - 45230-SP0-E01
Right Caliper - 45210-SP0-E01
i4: New Rotors (for the Legend GS Sedan or LS Coupe) - OEM Part # 45251-SP0-E00
V6: New Rotors (for the Accord V6 [these will not fit the i4]) - OEM Part # 45251-TA6-A00
New Brake Pads (for the Legend GS Sedan) - OEM Part # 45022-SL0-G02

Tools Needed
I will update this with the list of tools needed since I forgot all the sizes of everything.
Air tools are preferred, but you can get away with hand tools if you don't have access to air tools and a compressor.
Impact Wrench
Universal joint (may not be needed depending on the size of your impact wrench)
19mm deep socket (or whatever fits your wheel lugs)
17mm socket
10mm wrench
impact driver with a phillips head tip
hammer (a.k.a. - swing press)
bucket (to drain brake fluid in)
pb blaster
brake/parts cleaner

Step 1
- put your car up on jack stands
- remove your wheels
- hit your caliper bracket bolts with some pb blaster

Step 2
- remove the 2 17mm bolts holding the caliper brackets to the knuckle
- remove the calipers and rest them on the front lower arm (do not disconnect the brake lines yet)
- remove the 2 phillips head screws holding the rotor to the hub using the impact driver and hammer and pull the rotor off

Step 3
- install the new rotor on the hub and replace the 2 screws
- clean the rotors with brake/parts cleaner
- put the new pads in the new calipers and install them on the rotors making sure to swap the sides (install the right caliper on the driver side and the left caliper on the passenger side)
- replace and tighten the 17mm bolts that hold the caliper brackets to the knuckle

Step 4
- disconnect the brake lines from the old calipers with the 10mm wrench
- transfer the brake lines to the new calipers, making sure to replace the copper crush washers with new ones

Step 5
- bleed your brakes (make sure to pump them up slowly to avoid agitating the brake fluid and creating air bubbles)

Step 6
- put your wheels back on
- put your car on the ground

Step 7
- make sure your brakes are working properly before going out for a test drive
- bed in your new rotors and pads

This thread is really great but it needs pics.  I didn't know that it was this simple to do this swap!  Tell us a little about your experience with the new setup, Tim.  I want to get your before/after opinions!

anyway how much more of a difference is it with these compared to the stock one pistions?

I will try to take pics this summer when I do a little bit of maintenance.  It's just as easy as changing your rotors and pads and then bleeding your brakes.  I'll give a brief history about my brakes though.  I had the issue with my front end shuddering at highway speeds because of the pads.  The dealership turned my rotors and replaced my pads.  Afterwards, I got Power Slot slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads.  I hated that set up because the rotors were junk and would shake when they heated up.  I wasn't a fan of the pads either because they created a ton of brake dust.  Now I have the Brembo Blank rotors and Brembo Sport pads and have been fairly happy with the set up.  With the new calipers, they do bite a lot better and overall braking performance has improved.

thats what i was contimplating doing when i upgrade my brake setup, the brembo blanks. Thanks for the info Tim

good stuff. im trying to find me a set of these calipers! mine shudder at highway speeds as well so i want to get new pads and rotors.

i4: New Rotors (for the Legend GS Sedan or LS Coupe)
V6: New Rotors (for the Accord V6 [these will not fit the i4])

Is this suppose to say from? or for? I thought the legend rotors are 11.1in like the i4 accord??

those are what you need to get based on what engine you have i believe.

i don't know the wording is all weird. ill just ask tim directly then.

What he's basically saying is that if you got an I4 you need the Legend GS Sedan or LS Coupe rotors. If you got a V6, you can use the Accord V6 rotors, but you can't use the V6 rotors on the I4 since you'll have clearance issues.

TY I totally get it now!! I found a place that is selling it for 80 + core. and kragen is selling it 100+ core

what about this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Accord (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Accord)

This Accord became the first Honda to employ double-wishbones at both the front and rear ends -- a layout that spread to the Civic and Prelude in 1988 and the Integra in 1990. While more expensive than competitors' Macpherson strut systems, this setup provided better stability and sharper handling for the vehicle. All have front and rear stabilizer bars as well. Brakes were either large 4-wheel discs with twin-piston calipers (as in the JDM Si model), smaller 4-wheel discs with single piston calipers, or a front disc/rear drum system. ABS was also available as an option on the 4-wheel disc brake models, though not in North America. Base model Accords rode on 13-inch steel wheels with hubcaps with more expensive models having the option of 14-inch alloy wheels.


anybody can confirm this or am i missing something?

Would the AV6 Hawk performance Pads work with the Legend's calipers?

I dont think you can put honda accord brake pads in legend calipers. You probably would have to buy brake pads specifically made for the 94-95 Acura Legend. So if hawk, ebc, brembo or whatever other manufacturer makes them for the 94-95 Legend, then you gotta buy that one.

Steve is correct.  You cannot use pads for and Accord in these calipers.  You must use pads made for '94-'95 Legend GS Sedans.  Fortunately, Hawk makes pads for the Legend GS Sedan.

Misha, I'm not sure, but it's worth investigating.

searched but some websites blocked so cant confirm

Tim. do you need any brakets for gs calipers or you take off old onces off and put this on?

No brackets necessary.  The list I posted includes everything you need.

ok then im gona start looking for those. good thing i didnt put on my hawk pads that i bought. i guess ill just sell them and get what i will need. just probably will want to get calipers powdercoated before i put them on

You can do that, or you can just paint them like I did.  Make sure you use high temp paint though.

Misha let me know where you get yours from, if its a website or a vendor.

lmk also. I saw on ebay its like 85 bucks and you can return the caliper back for 30 dollar core.

yeah but can you return accord caliper? i dont think they are as dumb as in pepboys that would check what you returned

here is some
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-01-pr ... ccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-01-prelude-legend-2-pistions-racing-brake-caliper_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a4Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a200QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem150328626772QQitemZ150328626772QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Tim. would it be better to get rebuilt units or used not rebuilt?

get rebuilt. no questions asked.


used you risk the possibility that the piston is scarred/swollen/deformed plus the fact that over the years the rubber components wear down. so yeah... just get rebuilt. shouldn't be too much more expensive (for me it's ~40bucks each (loaded caliper) with a 50dollar core charge (which i don't have to pay lol))

Yeah, get rebuilt calipers.  Consider the fact that they are 15 years old.

here is what i found
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-95- ... enameZWD1V (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-95-ACURA-LEGEND-GS-Caliper-BECK-ARNLEY-0771086S_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33563QQihZ009QQitemZ190286587406QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V)
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-95- ... enameZWD1V (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-95-ACURA-LEGEND-GS-Caliper-RAYBESTOS-FRC10627_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ33563QQihZ009QQitemZ190288447512QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V)

i head of raybestos but not the other one. or there are better once or maybe cheaper?

Mine are Nissin.

i guess its still nissin, reman means they take original part, replace seals and stuff right?

Yup, it's pretty much built to almost brand new or like new condition.

if you can get wagner brand or a1cardone. they're still going to be nissin BUT these are the companies that offer a warranty. wagner especially; they offer a lifetime warranty on their pads/calipers (and they're pretty good too if you don't want to get a separate set of pads; get a loaded caliper)

i think id want hawk or green stuff

i seen a2cardone yesterday when searching, its like $150 each instead of for both
you got hook up?

i got a hookup with a1cardone.  i work for advance auto, and thats who we deal with for our calipers.. if u want some, lemme know.

ok. how much for pair of calipers?

pm sent

hey tim, i am just curious... what if u wanted to use stainless steel brake lines? would the accord brake hose bolt up the the legend caliper??

Yup.  I used my stock brake lines.  I'm probably going to upgrade the lines when I do my brakes again this summer.

yeah id say upgrade would be worth it with stainless steel lines
Tim. what brake pads you would recomend? hawk or maybe something else (green stuff maybe)
and what brand of SS brake lines

I have the Brembo Sport pads on my car right now.  Hawk HPS are good, but they create a TON of brake dust.  EBC Greenstuff is also a good choice.  I believe that's what Skippy is currently running on his car.  For brake lines, Goodridge makes lines for our cars.  They're pretty well known lines.

ok. i think i know a girl who works for one of their distributors. might get hook up for them

found this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Tru ... 240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__Goodridge-Brake-Lines-2003-2007-Honda-Accord_W0QQitemZ350102131149QQadiZ2865QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item350102131149&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318)

thats what we need right Tim? or we need one for GS?

roughly $400 for brake upgrade. hmmm
thats for brake lines, calipers, pads.

can i use my stock rotors?

yes i got hook up; through oreily's, XL Parts, carquest, BAP, and a few others around Houston because of my work (if i were to buy them for ya'll you guys would have to pay the core charge because they wouldn't get any core back lol)

hey pm me from price. I might get some later once I find some extra $$

Yes Misha.  Those are the brake lines you would use.  You can use your stock rotors if you want.  As I said in my OP, if you have a V6, there is no need to get different rotors.  It's only the i4 owners that have to get different rotors.  Remember though, with a V6, you must swap sides with the calipers so they will fit properly.

swap sides. so left legen caliper will go on right side on accord and wise vera?

just make sure the bleeder screw is facing upwards.

I just realized I read the OP wrong the first time. I think.


Just to clear it up: If it were an i4 application, I wouldn't need to get the bracket.

so if its v6 application you do need braket?

I'll try to make things easier.  When you buy reconditioned calipers, you should get everything that's in 6/7.  That is exactly what I used for my swap.  Hopefully this clears things up.

(http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/jsp/catimgs/13sp00_b2201.gif)

6/7 gen or what? sorry for stupid questions

found brake lines for $115 shipped on amazon(goodridge)

In the picture I posted, find #6 and #7.  In that box is everything that I used from the Legend calipers for my swap.  I'm not sure which bracket you're asking about, but if you're asking about the one directly below the #6/7 label, I used the one that came with the Legend and did not reuse my Accord one.

Oh ok so you did get the loaded caliper. I'm having a great time trying to figure out who has the rotors/calipers.

Loose :( :

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3342969851_0c9b6bf0fd.jpg) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3342969851_7ac7468769_o.jpg)


Click to see original size; flickr fucked me over.

ok got it. didnt see pic couse it didnt show up at work couse of firewall

got mine today
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/sy272004/Projects/IMGP9606.jpg)

what do i need those long studs for and whats those metal brakets for? i asume it has to do with brake pads but dont see how it goes in

hey good to see u got them man...

the long studs go through the mounting bracket, and the rubber squishy piece goes on that as well... and the small bolt is the caliper bolt.... and the small bolt threads into that other stud through the caliper..

and the brackets... just take a look at the way yours are mounted on the car now... and just replace them with the new ones..

yeah looked in manual


thanks to Sean for hooking me up

they are drying right now. painted them red

pads should be here tomorrow

Hmmmm.  Mine came with brackets so I just bolted those on in place of the OEM Accord calipers.

hope stock braket works. otherwise ill have to find one for GS

Tim. what brand rotors would you recomend?
i think when i asked for my dads accord. honda said baer or something brand that is good?
maybe ill go with brembos blanks but maybe something i can get in retail autoparts store since i need it fast

Brembo or EBC.  That's just my opinion though.

wonder if i will have to change brakets for calipers or i can use stock once


gona let calipers dry over weekends, turned out pretty good, put about 5 coats on them. i might paint NISSIN black, i k now you not gona see it but still

crapy quality couse taken with shitty camera(not my dslr)
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/sy272004/Projects/legend%20GS%20calipers/DSCN6320.jpg)
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/sy272004/Projects/legend%20GS%20calipers/DSCN6323.jpg)
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/sy272004/Projects/legend%20GS%20calipers/DSCN6324.jpg)

point of swaping sides so bleeder screw would be located at top for bleeding air out right?

That's it exactly.

Tim. i posted on v6p about gs calipers (pics and stuff) and guys brought up good point.

just checked and i4 and v6 auto brake rotors are same part numbers.  in your parts needed did you mean to put that if you have  v6 auto you would need to get 6spd rotors?

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F3Dfl3JBL.jpg)
does this mean that 6spd rotors are brembos? part on picture matches honda 6pd rotors. im trying to figure out if i need to get rotors or i can just refinish what i have

You lost me with that last one Misha.  When I test fit the calipers, I had both i4 and V6 rotors.  I can only speak for the i4, not the V6, but here is what I found.  The diameter of the V6 rotors was too large, but they were centered in the caliper.  The diameter of the i4 rotors was perfect, but they did not sit centered in the caliper.  I went on to Brembo's website, found the diameter of the i4 calipers and the offset of the V6 rotors, and plugged them into Brembo's look up tool and found that the Legend LS coupe rotors were the perfect fit.  For the V6, I have heard that you can reuse the V6 rotors but all you have to do is swap sides.  Hope that helps.

swap sides on rotors too or just calipers?

as far as picture. do you think it means that stock 6spd rotors are brembos?

The calipers should be the same, so no need to swap sides with those.  I don't think that the OEM rotors are Brembos, but you never know.  Acura uses Brembo's as OEM equipment on some cars, so it's possible.

hey misha did u ever put the calipers on??? im curious as to if they are worth it or not

didnt put them on. just got my pads and rotors today so will try to get them on by end of the week.

is it ok to paint top of rotor(where vents are, on side where its not contacting brake pads)? couse mine are rusted there and dont like it. want somehow protect them from rusing. i was gona use flat black high heat paint for that. or is there something special i can use? i know there are some rotors are covered with cryo or something that preven rust. is there something like that avaliable in a spray can or something?

so when are you putting them on misha??

on a side note: do any other calipers off of other Acura models or Honda models work on our cars? any calipers that are two piston or more.

tomorrow. possiblity today but tomorrow for sure

acura RL and TL-S have brembo 4 piston calipers, but with RL you need adaptors couse mounting bolts are at 90 angle to oem hole locations. so easier i think is TL-S

ahh cool. just checking...maybe a future upgrade.

Tim. do you have torque specs on brakes, not gona be home to pickup manual couse going straight to my friends shop

Ya you can paint the top part where the vents are. The only part on the rotor that you shouldn't paint on is the area that the brakes grab onto. Any high heat paint would work just fine. The higher the heat resistance, the better I would think.

Not sure what you want the specs for, but here's everything:

Brake hose banjo fitting bolt  -  25 ft/lbs
Caliper mounting bracket bolts
Front  -  80 ft/lbs
Rear  -  41 ft/lbs
Caliper mounting guide pins/bolts
Front  
i4  -  26 ft/lbs
V6  -  37 ft/lbs
Rear  -  17 ft/lbs
Master cylinder mounting nuts  -  11 ft/lbs
Power brake booster mounting nuts  -  115 inch/lbs
Wheel cylinder mounting bolts  -  84 inch/lbs
Wheel speed sensor mounting bolt  -  86 inch/lbs

ok brakes are done and broken in, boy do they grab. night and day difference

TIM, had to take shims off, no way calipers were gona fit on with shims on brake pads (green stuff and brembo blanks. just heads up

ill upload pics later tonight. packing old calipers to ship them back out to Sean

by the way. breaks squeak couse pads dont have shims on them. hopefully once they brake in i can put shims back on couse it doesnt fit with them on. probably too thick

Can you hook me up at this price? I need to upgrade my brakes after my accident I dont feel I have enought stopping power.

I thought Greenstuff pads had shims already built with it on.

Misha, you're going to want to use some of this stuff.  Anti-Squeal (http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=WRTH-890106&catalog_description=Wurth%20Anti%20Squeal%20Spray%2C%20300%20ml)

they do but with shims on GS calipers dont fit over new brake pads and rotors. had to take shims off for now.

Tim ill get that stuff tomorrow. deff need that, dont like having that sound

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=751 (http://elitecm.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=751)

or if you live near a mercedes benz dealership: stop by the parts dept. and ask the lady for some BG STOP SQUEAL(sp; its late). stuff works wonders (i mainly use it for the anoying squeaky brakes comebacks)

cheap too, like 3bucks. and sadly merc charges 60 dollars for the service (sanding the pads, appylying the graphite and reinstalling)


oh and no i cannot hook anyone up because i cant even hook myself up yet. none of my vendors can locate the left caliper.

Don't mean to derail this thread, but from reading through I take it TSX and TL callipers do not fit our cars?

The TSX calipers aren't much of an upgrade if any at all.  They are single piston calipers.  The TL brembos are definitely an upgrade, and from what I know, you can get them to fit with minor modifications.

What is the primary advantage of multiple piston callipers? More even pad pressure? More power? Or do they simply let you use a larger brake pad?

Greater stopping power. It has the ability to increase the amount of pressure on the pads, and the pressure is applied more evenly. The Legend GS calipers are def. an awesome upgrade over stock.

What do you guys think about this person's opinion?

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread. ... readid=836 (http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=836)

All I can tell you is not matter what that person thinks my car stops on a fucking dime since doing this upgrade. Tim, and other members have also said nothing but, good things.

i do see their point. but i think braking improved

solution can be not swaping sides, you dont need to bleed brakes that often and when you do, its possible to bleed when they are off the rotor and you can do it that way so bleed valve is on top

Interesting point.  

Brakes are the next thing to be done on my I4 so I've been considering the Legend calliper swap.  These things are cheap...you can get new ones from delray acura for $100 each.

Can someone also clarify whether the Legend callipers will work with the I4 rotor size....or are the legend rotors difference size/thickness?

I'm pretty sure you need to use V6 accord rotors, and on the 4cyl you may also need the caliper bracket(I have an extra pair I can sell).

6spd accord can use their rotors. as Tim said for i4 you need legend rotors, i4 rotors will not work, check first post

V6 auto rotors work as well.

not big enough., even mine could be little bigger, id say about 6-10mm bigger, auto v6 are smaller

you will need 6spd or legend caliper brackets

I use V6 auto rotors, and everything is good man. Maybe next time i'll get 6 speed rotors but, I was also able to use my pad shims I remember you telling me you had to leave yours out maybe they pick up some of the slack. We have to differing opinions but, I know my set up works well, and i'm using V6 auto rotors, and GS caliper brackets.

so whats your set up? v6 auto rotors and gs calipers with gs caliper brackets? couse my friend tried to use auto brackets with 6spd rotors and it didnt work couse rotors were bigger of course.

My Exact set up is.

Gs calipers
EBC Slotted Auto V6 Rotors
Hawk HPS GS Pads
Legend Caliper brackets but, they look identical to the auto V6's in size shape and everything, even the stainless hadware from the Accord ones transfered.

brackets may look identical but they not. becouse if you use GS bracket, you can use 6spd rotors. if you use v6 auto brackets then 6spd rotors will not work so they cant be same

Interesting article, though the person admits that it is all their OPINION, and nothing has been tested nor do they have any actual proof that it's a BAD upgrade.  It's all merely speculation and this guy's opinion based on assumptions that he's made without any actual evidence to back up his theories.  It's just another person that thinks they know more than everyone else and feels the need to spew their opinion all over.  If the HART track car was running this set up, wouldn't you think that it was something that was safe enough for "daily drivers" like us to use?  I've had these calipers on my car for over a year and a half with no problems at all.  That's my actual PROOF that whoever that guy is, has his head up his ass and doesn't know what he's talking about.

Do any of you guys know if the stock v6 calipers are larger than the i4 calipers? I'm trying to see with Mike if there are any differences, and if it would be worth upgrading to rather than the GS calipers. I know it won't be nearly as effective, but I am curious.

Im pretty sure they are the same accross the board...look it up on rock auto, and then compare part numbers to a V6...

I'm also pretty sure the caliper brackets are the only difference, along with the rotors of course.  Pads should be the same too

Alright thanks. As Mark and Mike know, I really want to do this swap now. I'm just trying to get all my facts straight before I start spending money.

So if I use the bracket that's supplied with the GS caliper, I can fit the v6 6mt coupe rotors on? In other words, the GS bracket and the v6 6mt coupe bracket are the same?

Mark the calipers have different part numbers. I'm not sure if they are different but, at least the part numbers are I don't know the answer here because I've never seen them next to each other. Jeff maybe you could get the rents to let you do the GS swap by first expressing interest in an RL or NSX caliper swap. Then you could make it look like your settling for the cheaper alternative.

^I'm with stupid.

Burn that graduation money Jeff! I should do this, especially with drums in the back.

i got 6spd rotors and my brakets worked fine so i just got calipers and rotors. everthing else fits fine

Well the thing is, you have a V6 and I have an i4, and I'd rather not take the risk of running into other fitment problems. With that said, I ended up sticking with the Legend LS coupe rotors like Tim suggested.

that works fine, plus you won't have to worry about your wheels clearing either...you will need GS/LS bracket though cause the rotors are thicker.  when you order caliper, make sure it includes the bracket and hardware

All good to go. I ordered the calipers off of RockAuto.com, and it says that they are Raybestos remanufactured, and contain the brackets.

I'm pretty sure you said the shims didn't fit in with you brake pads correct?

Rockauto is the shit, and you gotta love their cheap core charge!

Man I can't wait to do this shit! I'm not sure if I want to paint the calipers or not... if I did then I would have to take off my rears and paint them as well, because it would look weird if I painted just the fronts. I'd probably go with black since any other color would look bad on old man brown.

I only have my front painted, and after they get dust on them, you can't tell anyway.  I reccommend painting them, unless of course you like rusty calipers...its not hard to do, and a helluva lot easier when they are fresh out of the box.  Just clean all the "oil" off of them with a couple cans of brake cleaner, get some sandpaper and rough up the surface to be painted, tape off the pistons, and paint away.  I used spray caliper paint, and did 4-5 really light coates (instead of three "light" coates) over the course of an entire day, while drying them in the sun inbetween coates...no chipping or peeling, came out really well, even considering the crappy winter we had with all the snow>salt

**edit**

Jeff, also make sure you clean your new rotors with brake cleaner, and put on a new pair of nitrile gloves to handle them after cleaning.  you want the braking surface to be completely free of ANY kind of oils and/or residue.  I usually clean them as part of the last step before putting everything back on to make sure they are super clean...this is imperative to properly bedding (correct term?) your new pads (do some test fits before cleaning to make sure everything is lined up and fits right!)

You could probably get away with clear coating them if you wanted to keep the normal metal color. No matter what you do paint the Hats of your rotors the same on they will rust up on you!


Subject: How To: Acura Legend GS Sedan Dual Piston Caliper Swap (http://elitecm.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=63006#p63006)

Thanks for the tips. I thought that I read online that the Centric rotors come prepainted black, but that may only be their premium rotors, not the CTEK ones.

Man I am so excited! The rotors already shipped out, and they're coming from Jacksonville, so I should get them early next week!

I got centric blanks (maybe ctek, dont know) and the hats are painted black, I think they do that for all of their rotors...its a good selling point

Just thought I'd post the breakdown of the cost of this setup for me. I bought the calipers at rockauto.com, and everything else from amazon.com.

(part numbers on the right, prices include shipping)
Calipers: $139.07 - FRC10627,FRC10628
Front Rotors: $55.80 - 121.40033
Pads: $55.48 - ACT503
_______
Total: $250.35

Jeff, $250 for the whole package, both sides??? That sounds low.

By the way, does anyone have a pic of the Legend caliper? THat's the only thing I don't see in 8 pages here.

I'll take some tomorrow.  Why do you want pictures?

(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/8051/dsc0145o.jpg)

Curious about the visual difference between the legend calipers and mine.

Thanks, Jeff.

The visual differance is pretty non exsistant to be honest with you.

You're right, Mike. I see the slight difference, but they're the same general size, so it doesn't make a difference visually.

They're just a little longer, and that's about it. I also noticed that they come a little closer to the wheel than the stock ones do. I have the EX 16" wheels.

(http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9804/dsc0146j.jpg)

How are your brakes now that your getting used to them Jeff. I know at first you were concerned about a couple of things.

I'm still a little iffy on them. I've bled the brakes like what, 3 times now? I'm tempted to put in some new brake fluid. I've read that ATE Blue fluid is pretty good stuff. Right now, it feels like I have to push the pedal farther before the brakes will actually do anything. It's a lot more pronounced when I'm going 70-80.

Have you checked the condition of your rear brakes? The stopping power should be alot better than before.

The rear brakes are still brand new. I don't exactly remember when I got them installed, but it was maybe 4-5 months ago. It just feels like I have to slam the pedal before I got the stopping power that I want.

That's odd my pedal is very touchy.

I wonder if it's these Akebono pads... Well it's too late now, I'm stuck with them, lol. I can't think of anything else to do other than redo the brake fluid.

You could get better pads. 

^ yeah. If you can't trust your brakes, you should definitely change them again. You absolutely need to be able to rely on your brakes.

I just changed my front ones again. They lasted two and a half years. Stock calipers, Brembo blanks and EBC greenstuff pads.

Hawk HPS/EBC green stuff = stopping power.

Now I just need something to do with the Akebono pads so I can get different ones. Craigslist maybe?

You can try but, personally I wouldn't buy used pads, and finding someone that would want brake pads for a 94 -95 acura legend GS might be difficult also.

I should have my reconditioned Legend GS sedan calipers in my possession within a few days (thanks Paul).  Can anyone recommend a good pad/rotor combination for this setup?  Right now on my Accord I've had Hawk HPS pads/Brembo blanks for God knows how long, and they've done pretty well except for brake dust and squeal.  I know... we already have a pad/rotor thread, but I didn't see much for the Legend calipers in there.  If this is a duplicate thread, mods, point me in the right direction and delete this!

I also need a recommendation for brake caliper and rotor paint kits.  I have some projects on the to-do list, and in the past I've used the G2 brush-on kits, which work well, but for the price the paint doesn't seem to hold up for long.  Any cheaper off the shelf kits or spray cans?

This topic would apply in that thread too Dave.  For the record, I was happy with my Brembo blank rotors and Brembo Sport Pads.  I'm not sure about the quality of the Brembo stuff now though.

I've got Hawk HPS pads in my legend rotors, and they're pretty nice. They don't have as much initial pedal grip, but if you mash it, they'll stop. :P

Should have had Paul powder coat them....

Tim - Yeh, I can check out that thread too.  I've been pretty happy with my Brembo/Hawk setup, but from what I've heard, Brembo quality has slipped in recent years.  I'm tempted to get something slotted or J-grooved though.  ;D

Jeff - What brand/style rotor are you running?

Mike - I had Paul powdercoat the calipers nice nice, but I didn't think about the rotors (which I haven't purchased yet).

Sorry, I meant to say legend calipers in my previous post. I've got the Legend GS calipers, Centric CTEK legend GS blank rotors, and the Hawk HPS pads up front.

What'd you use to paint your rotor hubs black?

Silly rabbit get rotors with black hubs!

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3865A0A0A3051228.aspx (http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3865A0A0A3051228.aspx)

I forgot what brand it is, but I used a caliper spray paint. I think Ken told me to stay away from Duplicolor, so it's some other brand.

Mike - Good point lol.

Jeff - Thanks Jeff.  Funny this is, all you find in any auto parts store is Dupli Color kits and cans haha.  I wonder if other high-heat engine or enamel-type paints work well on brake parts?

Well, the hub on my rotors are holding up so far, but the outer edges have completely rusted. I would say that caliper paint (I think it withstands 2000F or some crazy number) would be better for the job.

Even with the rust on the outside, it looks a lot better because the hub isn't completely covered in rust, lol.

I had a chip in one of my Powder Coated Calipers awhile back and Paul suggested High Temp Engine Paint.

VHT is a good brand with regards to high temp paint.

I think it is VHT that I used. I had to buy it online from Amazon because I couldn't get it anywhere locally.

Time to start price shopping and making purchases.  Money in, money out.

Its usually money out 2x money in though isn't it.

So for my i4, if I order aftermarket rotors for the Legend LS coupe or the Legend GS sedan, are they the same spec or different?

And you still need to reverse the sides of the calipers on the i4 (i.e. left GS caliper installed on the right, and right GS caliper installed on the left) because of a damn bleeder screw??

Sometimes, yeh.  Mike, throw on a steelie for me and let me know if it clears the calipers lol.

The part numbers are the same for the LS coupe and GS sedan for the rotors.  Regardless of what you get it for, it will be the same thing.

gs brake pads and 04 6spd pads look very similar, gs pads have some kinda notches on top of brake pads(edges)
legend brake pads on right(ebc green) and 6spd on left.
since brakets that hold the caliper are the same i dont see why you can use accord brake pads for it. just have to check clearance of those tabs

Don't have those. Tim probably used steelies over his GS calipers.

I actually don't remember if I did or not.  Honestly, I highly doubt the steelies won't clear.  The calipers are about the same size.  Remember, the pistons for the caliper are on the inside of your wheel.  Any additional bulk on the caliper because of the additional piston would not have anything that would get in it's way.

^ OK.

Can someone answer the question above about needing to reverse the calipers?  Also, there seems to be a lot of speculation about which rotors (v6, 6speed, legend, etc.) work with which brackets and pads.  I hate overthinking, so can someone clarify which combination is the right one for an i4 sedan?  Gracias.

Yes, you need to flip the calipers so that the bleeder valve is on top.

As far as what rotors to get. If you have an i4, your easiest option is to get Legend rotors, and stick with the Legend caliper bracket.

For v6 accords, you can also get the v6 6mt coupe caliper bracket and v6 6mt rotors. Whether or not this solution would work on an i4, I don't know. I was close to trying it, but I didn't want to take the risk, so I went with the original option.

I merged your new topic Dave.  You're asking a lot of questions pertaining to one topic in multiple threads.  It's better to have all of that information in one thread for people to reference, instead of strewn across multiple threads.

Legend and V6 Brackets are the same so I assume that you can use the rotors from any. I used rotors for a V6 auto, the rotors from the 6 speed are a little bigger. Tim successfully installed the same exact calipers you have with legend rotors so why not imitate his set up?

Here's the thing.  You can't use the V6 rotors on an i4 because the hub is different and the caliper placement isn't the same.  When I tested with i4 Accord rotors, they were the right diameter, but the wrong offset, so the pads were only touching one side of the rotor.  When I tested the V6 Accord rotors, they were the right offset, but wrong diameter, so the rotor hit the caliper.  I found out what the working offset and diameter was on each rotor, and plugged that into Brembo's look up tool and came up with the Legend LS Coupe rotors.  That's why I used them.  I test fit them and they worked perfectly.  End of story.  No need to question it, just do what works.  Figure out what rotors and pads you want, get them for the Legend GS and call it a day.  It's really not as complicated as you've made it out to be.

Thanks for all the clarification homies.  I'm good now, but not sure which thread you merged Tim.  I thought I originally posted my questions in here to begin with, but I have been really tired lately so...  :confused:

I hit the wrong button, but the topics are merged now.

Dave just do it!!!! You are over thinking this one, and it is so simple you will laugh at your self after (I sure did)

Mike is right.  Dave, you over think the shit out of everything.  Just go ahead and do it.  Test fit the caliper on your car first, then bolt your steelie just to be 100% sure it clears, and call it a day.  By the way, the calipers came out nice.  I saw them on Sunday.

I know I over think things all the time, but that's just how I am.  I thought I was pretty clear on everything, but then I read deeper into this thread, and once all the speculation about different bracket, rotor, and pad combinations started to surface, I went into oh shit mode.  But, I'm good now.  I'll update you guys once everything comes in, but I'm in no rush either.  I need my calipers first.   8-)

So, what you're saying is that you didn't believe me the first time I answered your questions?




ror
 :D

Oh not at all.  I believe you.  It's myself I don't trust.

That's your problem, not mine.   ;)

Did anyone come to a conclusion if you can use Coupe pads with the GS caliper?  I can't remember, I know that I currently have GS pads on there.  so my set up is:

Coupe Bracket
GS Caliper
Coupe rotor
GS pads...

when I was messing with everything, I think I stuck my old pads (OEM) in there to test fitment and they worked.  I figure they should all be the same size then.  please correct me if I'm wrong

I'm not 100% sure, but I think if you have a 6MT coupe, then they would fit. I know for a fact that my i4 sedan pads were a shitload smaller, so they would not fit. Since the 6MT has larger brakes, I could see why they would fit.

Does anyone have any experience with NAPA's remanufactured brake calipers? Since I fucked up my GS calipers (stripped the brake line thread), I'll have to dish out money to have them replaced. I think it will be cheaper to go locally, because having to ship out my old calipers for the core would negate any kind of online deal.

What's the name brand they use? We use DNS and Fenco for our brake calipers at work DNS is pretty good I only write up about 3 calipers defective every two weeks, which is good considering I send about 600+ cores back with them so I guess that's pretty good odds, stay away from Fenco though...so many defects

It looks like NAPA uses Eclipse? Shit, looks like they want $130 a caliper. Jeez. Time to check Autozone and Advance Auto.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Result.aspx?Ne=25000&Ntt=caliper&Nao=0&Nty=1&N=599001+101995+50001+2001004+521030+598999+500022+500999+26501&Ntk=Keyword (http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Result.aspx?Ne=25000&Ntt=caliper&Nao=0&Nty=1&N=599001+101995+50001+2001004+521030+598999+500022+500999+26501&Ntk=Keyword)

Edit: Looks like Advance Auto has Fenco remans and Beck/Arnley remans. Do you know anything about Beck/Arnley? Also, Autozone has Duralast remans. I'm not sure that I'd trust Duralast.

I sell a shit ton of Fenco remans and never see them come back. Maybe there stuff in Canada comes from a different plant or something. I've had great luck with Fenco Remans. . . Someone is towing the company line and bashing the competitor.

LoL! Nah just personal experience, I'm not trying to sell him any or anything ahaha and Fenco used to be great for us, Beck/Arnely is pretty good shit...sometimes you'll even get OEM with them it's all who they out source to I know alot of their Kia/Hyundai stuff we get in is OEM comes in the KIA box with their label on it

Funny I see alot of OEM castings from Fenco... Maybe its a Canada US thing.

You guys in the states always get the best shit :(

Did this upgrade a few days ago with a ton of help from Steve.  A few of the bolt sizes and stuff might be incorrect in this how-to, so along the way we made note of the differences, and I will try to post the revisions to the how-to soon.

Might be different between the 4 and 6 cyl cars as well. How does the new set up feel?

Yes, I was thinking this after the fact.  I know I combined info from both how-to's before I printed it all out, so it's a definite possibility that the i4 and V6 are different.  However, there were still some odd variations that I'll try to update about at some point.  As far as how they feel thus far, they are all bedded in, but I haven't done enough driving yet to really feel much of a difference from my old setup.  Give it a few hundred more miles and I'll post again.

Anyone got part numbers for Brembo rotors or pads for this upgrade (i4)?

I keep trying to find stuff but I cannot cross reference these numbers and its totally messing with me

Rotor number found:
25464 (http://brembo.mycarparts.net/products/Brembo-09689310?product_application_id=282457218 (http://brembo.mycarparts.net/products/Brembo-09689310?product_application_id=282457218))
http://www.autopartsway.ca/partlist.cfm?Acura/1995/Legend/GS/3.2L_V6/Brembo/Brake/Drums_and_Rotors/Disc_Brake_Rotor/ (http://www.autopartsway.ca/partlist.cfm?Acura/1995/Legend/GS/3.2L_V6/Brembo/Brake/Drums_and_Rotors/Disc_Brake_Rotor/)



Pad number found:
07.8300.00 (http://www.buybrakes.com/store/07-8300-00 (http://www.buybrakes.com/store/07-8300-00)) Can't find this same pad number on Brembo site
07.B314.44 (http://www.brembo.com/en/car/Racing/Street-products/Documents/2011%20-%20SPORT%20PADS%20APPLICATION%20LIST.pdf (http://www.brembo.com/en/car/Racing/Street-products/Documents/2011%20-%20SPORT%20PADS%20APPLICATION%20LIST.pdf)) According to this the pad fits a whole bunch of other applications

I am trying to nail down the part numbers so I can then shop around
Thanks

Asim, did you end up getting any assistance with this?  Maybe Tim can help.

Thanks to a lot of help from Steve, we made note of some extra things to consider when doing this upgrade that I feel should be added into this how-to.
-Pay attention to which sized sockets you need for certain bolts, because there might be size differences between the i4s and V6s.
-If your rotors are stuck as hell on the hubs like mine were, use two 8mm bolts and alternately screw them into the threaded holes in the hats of the rotors a little at a time until the rotors pop off the hubs.
-Certain brake setups like mine (EBC Ultimax rotors and EBC Greenstuff pads) may not allow the calipers to fit over the rotors once the new, thick pads are in the calipers.  To remedy this, remove the shims from the backs of the brake pads, and you should be all set.
-Properly bedding the pads in is key to a job well done.

Fuck that.  Use a BFH.

^ 'Scuse me?  If you're referring to some sort of hammer, we tried that for like 20 minutes.  All it did was destroy my old rotors, and they didn't budge a bit.  Then, we tried using the 2 bolt method, and wallah... the rotors came right off.  Science... who'da thunk it?

You need a bigger hammer then.  I've been able to get stuck rotors off with a few taps.

I agree you might need a bigger hammer. Hammer method is awesome I've used it to remove rotors that have been on cars for 10+ years...

I can back up what Dave said, we had a pretty BFH and it did nothing. We took turns whailing away on it and got no where. Thankfully we had those 2 bolts laying around or else Dav would have been driving home with half a GS swap lol.

Tim,

When I go to Kentucky, if I buy all these parts and I detour through Ohio, can we do this to my car?  Since the last time you were in it you complained that my brakes were garbage.

You can do it yourself! It's easy!

Sure dude, but you have to bring me pastrami sammiches and sour pickles from a deli in Brooklyn.

Deal!

I have to try and remember the name of the deli.  That place was delicious.

This.  My car never gives up easily.  It always presents problems.  You should know this Tim.

Trust me, my car have given me more problems than yours.  Yours is a cake walk compared to mine.

Well, when you start doing engine builds and stuff, then yeah.

Even before that, my car has fought me a lot.

I read this entire thread, but would just like to verify the parts required for the Legend GS swap.  I have a 2005 CM5 (i4 Sedan LX).  I plan to buy all OEM parts from the local Acura stealership since I, fortunately, know people that work there and could potentially receive a discount.

Parts Needed:
1994-1995 OEM Legend GS Calipers - Loaded (i.e. includes brake pads)
1994-1995 OEM Legend Brake rotors

Please correct me if that list is completely incorrect and/or whether I require additional parts (e.g. brackets, etc.).  BTW, does anyone know the exact OEM part numbers?  Thanks!

Calipers come with brackets.  The OEM part numbers are:

L Caliper - 45230-SP0-E01
R Caliper - 45210-SP0-E01
Rotors - 45251-SP0-E00

I updated the OP with all appropriate OEM part numbers.

Thanks Tim! :thumbsup:

Quick question for those of you who have done this swap.. My calipers are making a creaking noise. Happens with the car on or off moving or not. If I apply the brakes lightly there is no noise but, the more I get on the pedal it creaks. Its coming from the calipers for sure. I've read that it can be cause by the build up of brake dust allowing the pistons to move a little bit on the pads but, I'm not sure. There has been no change in the performance of the brakes it still stops very very well.

I can get Reman calipers for $58 each plus a $21 core...

Whoa, thanks for the info Mike!  Since I do plan to swap out the rotors & pads for new anyway, might as well "upgrade", right??  I just hope shipping to HI isn't horrendous  ???

Sweet Jesus Mike! Is that the price for legend calipers?

Yup probably cheaper to buy here and ship to Canada...

Hmmm.. We may have to work a little something out in the future.

Not a problem makes my sales numbers look better... I'll sell anything to anybody, and willing to ship. Generally I can provide great deals.

^^what he said!  :)

So for this legend caliper will direct bolt on right no need to get an adapter to make it fit is that correct.

Correct.

Thanks Tim.

Is the Legend LS work as same as gs?

Yes, the calipers are the same part number between the LS coupe and GS sedan.

Thanks gonna pick up the new caliper from a guy for 125

So the center hole of the rotors will be bigger than our center bore right. And everything will be the same and wheels just bolt up just normal right.

Yes, they will bolt up correctly.  Same bolt pattern as our Accords.

Isn't the 03-07 6-speed rotor the same size?  Would be a better choice if it is since they are hub centric. 

I believe it was advised to use the Legend rotors if you have an i4, or use the 6 speed rotors if you have a v6. I was on the verge of doing the same, however I didn't want to take the chance of things not lining up due to any differences between the v6 and i4.

I tried both rotors.  If you have a K24, the J30 rotors are not the correct offset.  When I test fit the J30 rotors, they weren't centered in the caliper.