- RacingBrake ET500 brake pads (4 corners) ~$164
- RacingBrake stainless-steel brake lines (4 corners)~$110
- Duralast front rotors ~$100
- Rotora slotted rear rotors ~$100
If you've read my post below regarding Rotora, you'd know that they produce low-quality parts with a poor warranty. The reason I am running Rotora rear rotors is due to the fact that I had so much trouble getting a refund for the defective front set, I was forced to keep the rear set and reduce my out-of-pocket expenses. Due to the amazing 2-year/unlimited mileage full-replacement warranty on the Duralast rotors, they were a no-brainer.
Review:
I have been using this setup now for over 1K miles so everything is broken-in, and I've had the opportunity to test the setup in many different conditions and scenarios. Also, I installed the stainless-steel lines about 500 miles after I installed the pads/rotors, so I was able to fully distinguish their contribution.
First, I will review the pad/rotor setup. Initial braking response was very poor. After proper bed-in, response was much better. However, it wasn't until the rotors were fully broken-in before the setup really came to life. Cold braking is very similar to OEM. After about 2-3 stoplights, braking response is drastically improved. High-speed braking is where this setup really shines. Exiting the freeway (85mph->30), there is NO fade and a linear increase in braking power is exhibited as the pads and rotors heat up. Even in extreme 80mph->0 traffic situations, I have yet to experience ANY brake fade. Similarly, no brake fade is exhibited while driving twisty up- and downhill mountain roads. As for noise, I have yet to hear any squealing whatsoever. Similarly, dust is not much of an issue, which is strange considering how aggressive these pads are. They are not as aggressive as Axxis ULTs but they don't chew rotors up nearly as much or dust nearly as much.
Upgrading the OEM rubber brake lines to stainless-steel is a must for any driving enthusiast. I didn't think they'd make as much of a difference as they did; I was very impressed. The install is messy and bleeding the lines can be a bit of a hassle, but if you're committed, you can get the install done and wheels on in a few hours. The stainless lines really firmed the pedal significantly and made braking effort much more predictable, especially during heavy braking scenarios.
I would recommend RacingBrake stainless-steel lines from Heeltoe Auto for a few reasons. First, they are very cost effective for a full set. Second, Heeltoe works directly with RacingBrake and offers unprecedented customer service. Needless to say, if you have any issues with your products, which you won't, Marcus at Heeltoe will personally take responsibility and fix it.
Overall Impression:
This setup cost me a grand total of ~$474 and it was worth every penny. Consistent and predictable braking effort, ZERO fade, low dust, no noise. Besides going with a BBK, this is probably one of the best brake upgrades for the TSX.
