"DW" <dwinslow2@qwest.net> wrote in message
news:VhOte.92$4H2.29835@news.uswest.net...
> MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone know of any aftermarket brakes that are
> better than the weak stock brakes for a 1987 ACCORD LX-i (besides from
> Midas or Meineke)? Perhaps even a high performance brake kit upgrade?

It depends on what you are prepared to do. Yes, the brakes are a bit small,
not ventilated as I recall, and heat up quickly. Std sized cross drilled
rotors are OK, but slotted rotors are for racing applications, make a lot of
dust and wear out quickly. Both "solutions" are trying to make an inadequate
system work more efficiently.

The solution is relatively simple: you need to use a bigger diameter
ventilated disk and larger surface area pads.

A high performance brake kit upgrade is NOT the answer, and will cost more
than an alternative solution using stock Honda parts.

There are bigger rotor kits that retain the original caliper. There may not
be a kit for an 87 Accord, but these won't help, because you need a thicker
ventilated disk and hence you have to change the calipers too.

Probably the simplest thing is to replace the rotors and calipers with
ventilated rotors and calipers from a recent (say 98 +) Accord. There are
some potential problems to handle

1) Recent Accords have a 4x114.3mm (4.50") stud pattern. I THINK your 87 has
the same, but it might be 4x100mm, in which case you need recent Civic
rotors and calipers.

2) While the 98+ rotors might fit on the 87 hub, you might need a small
spacer underneath.

3) the replacement caliper bracket MAY just bolt up to your hub and fit the
disk properly, but more likely you'll need an adapter bracket.

4) your current wheels should fit around the later model brakes. Make sure
that you have new pads when assembling this arrangement, to ensure wheel
clearance.

5) If the replacement calipers have the same or very similar piston
diameter, you won't have to change your master cylinder to a larger
diameter. Otherwise, the brake pedal will be very mushy even when bled
correctly.

So, if you want to do this, you'll need a (performance) garage that has
access to a machine shop (unless the parts just bolt on). You could start by
going to your local wrecker and comparing various bits to see what fits
what. Its not particularly difficult, but does take planning.


Have a look at www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm for details on big brake
swaps on a Mitsubishi Lancer / Mirage. The same general process applies to
Hondas.

Stewart DIBBS