Redoing Brakes: NEED ADVICE... Options

[KAOS]

So once the car gets back on the road; I'm going to start working on it from the ground up; starting with suspension/brakes.

I'd like to know;
Brakes:
(a) can ebay be trusted for crossdrilled rotors? What type of coating should I be looking for (anti-rust, etc.)?? Can I coat them myself and if so, what do I need?
(b) What pad upgrade would be best with crossdrilled rotors? I'm looking for durability, quality, etc.
© What is the best place to order from for rotors/pads combos?
(d) Has anyone painted their calipers? If so, how hard was it to do? Did you take them off before painting, or just mask off the rotors, etc.??

Suspension:
(a) I'd like to go with Tokico Blues and TRD springs; but what are some other suggestions for the best height : ride ratio?


Any help is really appreciated.

Thanks 6GC.net!!

[playr158]

a) don't buy brakes off ebay

b) EBC green stuff are awesome pads, i highly recommend them.
Occasionally i would get a squeak from them when i first started driving but
after a min of driving they quieted. Braking was definitely improved as well.

c) TIRERACK.com has Brembo blanks for $35 a piece or ATE slotted rotors @ $30 as well...both are good choices.

d) best time to paint...is when you are doing a brake job...
Remove the caliper fully (disconnect them, don't worry this carries over to my next point) clean and paint them.

e) You should CHANGE/FLUSH your brake fluid...This is a HUGE HUGE HUGE ignored/under estimated upgrade/maintenance. flush the entire system with Valvoline Syth. Dot4 or ATE SUPER BLUE. this will reduce the "squish" and give a better more firm peddle feel..as well as more consistent braking.

f) another good investment would be SS braided brake lines.

suspension wise, TEIN s-tech springs and bilstien shocks are a great combination. If you like coilovers Tein also has a great coilover setup for just around 1,000 USD.
TRD springs are just "rebadged" more expensive Eibach Sportline (or Proline) springs (if i remember correctly) might as well get them straight from Eibach it would probably be cheaper.
If you like coilovers, Ground control coilovers over a set of koni yellows would probably be the #1 best setup if you new correct spring rates and shock tuning. (more advanced setup obviously)

This post has been edited by playr158: Aug 29, 2007 - 8:48 AM