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REVIEW + DIY: Accord Type R Caliper Upgrade

F6HAD

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2009 Accord IDTEC
Let's face it, stopping power is just as important as acceleration - and all the power upgrades in the world are useless if you can't stop the damn thing!

I tried everything to improve the braking power on my Accord including uprated discs/pads, changing fluid etc. But the car was always missing that something which would inspirce confidence in braking.

After trusted advice from friends in the Accord community, I bit the bullet and sourced some Accord Type R calipers from a late 2002 Accord Type R.

It's a little known fact, but although the Accord Type R is based on the 6th gen - the bolt mounting pattern is the same, and as long as you get the carrier with the caliper - it's a direct fit!

The advantage of the new caliper is obvious. The existing 7th gen caliper is a single piston design, wheras the ATR caliper is a twin piston setup made by Nissin.

My calipers looked to be in good condition and the piston movement was good, but just to be sure, I sourced a new seal kit and set about refurbishing them.

This is how they turned up, brake hose still attached.

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First thing to do is split the caliper from the carrier - just remove the retaining bolts, easy peasy.

Use a standard 12v compressor (tyre inflator) to blow the pistons out - BE CAREFUL, do not move your hands or fingers in the way of the piston as it can come out with force:

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Wire brush and plenty of brake cleaner and good old fashioned elbow grease. A lick (couple of licks actually) of high temperature resistant paint - I used Tetrosyl Engine Lacquer.

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I took the opportunity to add some red decals - each to their own really.

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Reassembly is the reverse of removal. Ensure each seal you replace is securely in place and that the inside of the piston chambers are clean and free from dirt/grit.

You need to coat the pistons with brake fluid and/or red rubber grease and also the inside of the caliper piston chambers.

I really struggled with the reinstall of the pistons and even managed to tear a seal (DO NOT TRY AND FORCE THE PISTON).

In the end I got the wife to help. Yep, seriously. She held open the seal and fitted the piston - we had all 4 pistons done in half and hour with her help.

Once the pistons are in, just refit the caliper to the car - bear in mind you will need new pads as the pad design is different on the ATR, but you can use your existing 300mm discs.

If you have a 2.0 CL7 then check your isn't fitted with the 280mm discs, in which case you will need to upgrade to bigger discs.

Have the brake fluid changed and ensure the system is bled properly.

The difference in braking is simply immense.

Enjoy!

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Excellent write up and photos Fahad.

I'm about to renew my rear pads and the disc as they're past it now and was thinking about Improving them. I do have a couple of questions and they are. Would I be able to do the same conversion on
my accord 03 2.4 EX. I think that theyr'e 260 or 280mm and going by your post I would need to up the disc to 300mm.
What are your thoughts

Stevo
 
You cant swap the rears for ATR rears and TBH there would be no real benefit in doing so. If you want to upgrade to ATR calipers on the front like so many of us have you can, your 2.4 has 300mm discs already.

If your rears brakes need attention I would fit new blank discs and green stuff pads, or you could go slotted, dimpled, drilled but any improvement is placebo IME but they look really good.
 
You cant swap the rears for ATR rears and TBH there would be no real benefit in doing so. If you want to upgrade to ATR calipers on the front like so many of us have you can, your 2.4 has 300mm discs already.

If your rears brakes need attention I would fit new blank discs and green stuff pads, or you could go slotted, dimpled, drilled but any improvement is placebo IME but they look really good.


Ok, thanks for that, sounds good. I can't seem to get much Info on the ATR calipers though. Is there a particular website I can visit for these
 
ATR calipers = Accord Type R Front Calipers, they are a twin pot design that will fit our cars. You can by them from Honda but mega bucks so people get them from breakers online. The going rate seems to be between £120 - £160 for these but the important thing is to make sure they come with the caliper carriers as well.
 
Yep your fronts are 300mm and your rears are 260mm.

It's wrong to ***ume rears don't exhert much braking force, but I agree with Andy - upgrading rear calipers is a pointless exercise on this car. Upgrade to the twin piston Nissin calipers from an Accord Type R and you'll be over the moon. My car with it's 19' rims and diesel engine and lowered suspension feels like a heavy tank when trying to stop, but the ATR makes an easy job of it..
 
It's wrong to ***ume rears don't exhert much braking force

Actually Faddy under the normal OEM situation rear brakes are there more for bias conditions and the rear brakes only contribute about 15-20% of all the braking force the vehicle generates.
 
Yes mate, I thought that's what I was saying.. but obviously not very well :lol: I think the bias on the Accord is a little higher, but yes most of the braking is done upfront.

However if your rear brakes are operating inefficiently you will definitely feel it. That was the point..
 
Theres this lever in the middle of the car, it adjusts the bias to the rear so I been told. ;)
 
Hi guys I have a 6th gen accord 2.0l vtec will these callipers fit my car thanks
 
Hi

Great write up.

Really interested in this upgrade especially with remapping.

Have sourced calipers and carriers but was wondering where to get a new seal kit and what pads that ye are using?

Thanks
Gerard
 
Hello mate, we all use this guy - email him for the right kit:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-Accord-Brake-Caliper-repair-seal-Kit-rear-3408-/270350151021?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3ef21fed6d

As for pads, I'm using Mintex at the moment but I've got some new EBC Yellowstuff which have been especially heat scorched for me to play with. Just waiting for the weather to improve so I can get stuck in and fit them!
 
Hello mate, we all use this guy - email him for the right kit:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-Accord-Brake-Caliper-repair-seal-Kit-rear-3408-/270350151021?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3ef21fed6d

As for pads, I'm using Mintex at the moment but I've got some new EBC Yellowstuff which have been especially heat scorched for me to play with. Just waiting for the weather to improve so I can get stuck in and fit them!
Cheers, thanks Fahad.

Do you have the product code for the EBC Yellowstuff pads handy by any chance?
 
Really interested in this ungraded, do you need the carriers too? Are Legend calipers the same?
 
Really interested in this ungraded, do you need the carriers too? Are Legend calipers the same?

Dave you will need the carriers as well, the legend setup is the same as the ATR.

If anyone is looking at ATR pads Im currently on blackdiamond and can report Ive been impressed. I found the redstuff pads in the warmer weather where also very good.
 
Thanks Monks. I know where I can get twin piston Legend calipers just need to find out if the carriers are with them
 
No worries, if they come with carriers get them bought you will love this mod. If they dont just search the Jap breakers online there will be a few available Im sure.
 
Will the pads that are in the standard 2.4 calipers fit the legend calipers, nearly sure they will?
 
Will the pads that are in the standard 2.4 calipers fit the legend calipers, nearly sure they will?

No they are a different shape, if you want to get some cheaper pads to start with you can get mintex or std ebc pads.
 
Sorry I don't have the product code for the Yellowstuff but you can email our preferred supplier at www.brakes4u.co.uk

We get a 10% discount so email one of us for the code if you need it.
 
I am interested in refurbishing my calipers at Bigg Red, and thought I might as well get into this upgrade, since the refurb cost would be the same regardless of caliper. All I need to do is source some scrapped ATR front calipers.
Also interested in getting new Black Diamond discs and pads.
But I have one question: My 1.8 VTEC has 282mm discs and I believe I would need to upgrade to the 300mm discs. Are the Type R 300mm discs a direct fit on my car or is there another mod required? Someone earlier mentioned something about machining hubs etc. which I don't want to get into. But I have no problem replacing the discs sincs I was gonna do this anyway.

Thanks for your help and advice.
 
why not buy an ATR? ;)
 
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