Honda’s CR-Z has been hit with both admiration and loathing from the enthusiast community due to a lack of K-power, but one thing is for certain: With its short wheelbase and responsive handling, this is a car that begs to be driven on roads chock full of corners and switchbacks. As more of these vehicles hit the road and their owners search for more power options, one critical area that will need to be upgraded is the braking department. Spirited driving on curvy backroads and track days can severely tax the stock system. This becomes painfully evident when one realizes that more cars are passed under braking than anywhere else on the track. Wilwood Disc Brakes now has the ultimate solution to control your CR-Z under race-like conditions!
Developed using the first-generation, 2011 model year, the base kit (PN 140-11978) features Wilwood’s Superlite six-piston differential bore radial-mount calipers that clamp down on oversized 12.88-inch GT slot-pattern, vented rotors. The kit comes with aluminum hats, mounting brackets, and all hardware for an easy bolt-on installation. BP-10 high-performance street pads round out the kit, though other brake pad compounds for off-road applications are available. Optional items include SRP drilled and slotted rotors, and/or red powdercoated calipers.
As you read through the installation procedure below you will see that it is basically a bolt-on kit, just as Wilwood advertises, with only having to drill a single hole in the brake line bracket. Kits include everything necessary for an easy and complete installation. However, the stainless steel braided brake line kit (PN 220-12016) is a necessary item and must be ordered separately. You’ll be amazed as to how much better the Wilwood brake kit performs over the factory brakes.
A complete set of mechanic’s tools, including torque wrenches, will be necessary, along with a bottle of red Loctite 271, Teflon tape, and Wilwood’s Hi-Temp 570 racing brake fluid or Wilwood EXP 600 Plus Hi-Temp racing brake fluid for extreme temperature applications.
Note: The installation of this kit should be performed only by persons experienced in the installation and proper operation of disc brake systems. If you are not sure, get help or return the product. Install this kit to one side of the vehicle at a time. You may obtain additional information and technical support by calling Wilwood at 805-388-1188, email for technical assistance at: support@wilwood.com, or visit their website at www.wilwood.com.
1 Raise the front wheels off the ground and support the front suspension according to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. Remove the lug nuts and slide off the wheel.
2 Break loose the rotor hat locator screws using an impact screwdriver, then remove the screws.
3 Loosen and remove the bolt securing the hose bracket to the shock support, and lift the hose and bracket out of the way.
4 Disconnect the rubber brake hose where it connects to the hard line. Try to keep fluid leakage to a minimum.
5 Remove the hose bracket that secured the rubber/hard line junction from the inside of the wheelwell.
6 Attach the new Wilwood flex line kit (PN 220-12016) to the hard line and secure with a new bracket (PN 250-9349/50). Position the bracket so the hard line has no kinks. Drill a hole approximately as shown (arrow) and attach to wheelwell using OE bolt.
7 Using a breaker bar and socket, break loose the mounting bolts from the back side of the caliper.
8 Lift off and remove the caliper. Remember there is still some fluid in the rubber hose attached to the caliper.
9 Slide the rotor off of the hub. If it’s stuck, it may be necessary to tap it a few times with a rubber mallet to break it loose.
10 Remove the screws that secure the dust shield in place.
11 Using a pair of tin shears, cut the dust shield at its two smallest diameter locations and pull apart. Remove and discard the dust shield.
12 Install the caliper mounting bracket bolt and washer from the outboard side of the caliper-mounting ears.
13 Initially place one 0.015-inch-thick shim, and one 0.033-inch-thick shim between the mounting ear and the caliper-mounting bracket.