Type R Brake Performance - New Owner Initial Impressions from 27WON Jake
It’s no secret that Honda hit a home run with the Civic Type R and Integra Type S.
I was convinced these cars were some of the most fun you could have on the road after just a couple quick rips in a 2023 Type R. At the time, I was driving a 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo and it took one drive to realize I needed an upgrade to the Type R. It’s been six months now and the Type R has proven to be a better car in every dang way imaginable. It corners flatter, pulls harder, and is an overall more enjoyable driving experience… even without a sunroof.
27WON Jake’s FL5
You’ve heard me talk about the OE brakes on this car before and when I experienced them firsthand months ago, I was genuinely impressed. I’ve run 4-pot BBKs in the past and the Type R delivered everything I expected and more with the stock setup. While there’s always room for improvement, Honda gave us a solid brake setup that’s more than enough for the average driver and still holds up for those of us who push the car hard in the twisties.
That being said, I work for 27WON Performance. We aren’t exactly known for leaving cars stock, are we?
FL5/DE5/FK8 Big Brake Kit
The “27WON effect” hit me in less than a month after purchasing my Type R. Working here makes it feel like a crime to leave your car stock. Our 6-piston front BBK was one of the first projects I played a major role in and we used my car as the test vehicle.
I did whatever I could to get the BBK on my car permanently!
Getting the front BBK installed was only the tip of the iceberg. Once I felt that level of stopping power, I wanted more. Since then, I’ve worked on four other brake-related Type R projects and it’s really opened my eyes to the potential this platform has with multiple upgrade paths to choose from.
FL5 Rear Slotted Rotors
We’ve got our hands full with different Type R & Type S brake system upgrades in the pipeline right now. The 6-piston BBK is the only kit you can grab at the moment, but here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming:
350mm Slotted Rear Rotors – A direct swap for OE rotors that reuses the factory calipers. Not only do these look great, they help balance the brake system, giving you a more even feel when pushing the car to the limit. These can be paired with our 27WON OE replacement pads for a more aggressive bite. Unlike the image you see above, these brackets will come painted red when the kit is released later this year.
6-Piston Front Caliper Upgrade – A 6-piston replacement front caliper that reuses the OE rotors. While you won’t get the benefits of (slightly) larger slotted rotors, it’s still a big upgrade. Better stopping power than stock, without the cost and commitment of a full BBK.
Rear BBK – That’s right! We’ve got a full rear BBK in the pipeline with electronic parking brake functionality. We currently offer this for the S2K and it works great. We’ll release more details on this kit later this year.
OE Replacement Sport Pads – For those looking for a slight step up from stock, we’ll soon have 27WON Sport brake pads for all four corners of the Type R & Type S. You can already grab rear pads on our site and these fronts will be coming later this year. And considering how fast these cars burn through rear pads… maybe grab two sets!
FL5 Engine Bay & 27WON Type R/Type S Hybrid Intake
It probably seems like I’m always talking about brakes, but I swear I care about other upgrades too. Like I mentioned before, the “27WON effect” is real. I’ve already picked up upgraded injectors and a high pressure fuel pump and I’m waiting on a Kuro+ to really bring everything together and shoot for that 575WHP mark. That’s right, even those of us who work here are still waiting on their Kuro+ setups. ;-p
The Type R and Type S are incredible cars right out of the box, no question about it. You don’t need to upgrade anything… but once you start, it’s hard to stop. I plan to replace just about everything I can, because I want to see just how good this platform can get.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your brake system, stay tuned for all the progress reports right here in these blog pages and across all of our Social channels.
REDEFINE the Aftermarket
-Jake Self