Our Top Recommended Big Brake Upgrade Kits For Your Honda Civic
The Civic is one of the two or three cars we get asked about most, and it is the one where the first question is different. On most cars we start with the wheels. On a Civic we start with which Civic, because the range on our shelves runs from the EE9 through the EG, EJ and EK, on to the EP3 and FN2 Type R, the FK and FN hatches and the FD2, and the kits are listed per generation.
Get the generation right and the rest is a straightforward ladder. Below are the kits we would actually fit, from three brands: Tarox in northern Italy, HiSpec Motorsport in Dartford, and Brembo for the Type R generations. The full Civic range is on the site if you want to browse it raw.
- Every kit here is a complete front conversion: calipers, two piece discs, brackets and fitting hardware
- Tarox list the Civic by generation, so the chassis code decides which listing is yours
- HiSpec and Tarox do not publish a minimum wheel size on their Civic kits, so we check your wheels before anything is built
- Tarox kits arrive with braided hoses and Corsa pads fitted; HiSpec price theirs without so you pick the compound
- Brembo kits are made to order in Italy, six to eight weeks from the date of order; from £3,300.55 inc VAT for the Type R
What is on this page
- Three brands
- Which Civic have you got
- The wheel question, answered honestly
- HiSpec 310mm Billet 4
- HiSpec 325mm Billet 4 and Monster 4
- Tarox 306mm and 300mm Sport
- HiSpec 335mm Monster 6
- Tarox 340mm Super Sport
- Brembo GT: the aspirational pick
- The bigger kits
- What is in each box
- Every kit compared
- Common questions
- What we would actually fit
Three brands, three approaches
All three machine their own calipers and build for the specific car. The differences are in where the money goes and what the finished kit is made from.
Tarox
Built at the Tarox factory in northern Italy. Calipers CNC machined from European billet alloy and hand assembled, discs heat treated, CNC faced and hand balanced to 0.05mm. Kits arrive complete, with vehicle specific braided hoses and Corsa pads already fitted, and Tarox state compatibility with ABS and ESP. Listed per Civic generation.
HiSpec Motorsport
Machined in Dartford from aerospace grade billet aluminium, calipers and pistons both. Made to order, with the calipers finished in your choice of black, gold, silver, blue or red. Pads and braided hoses are priced separately so you choose the compound to suit how the car is used.
Brembo
Made to order in Bergamo. GT kits cover the EP3 and FN2 Type R through to the FK8 and FL5, with three caliper families on the 380mm disc: the GT-M monobloc, the GT-S billet, and the GT-R billet track kit. Pads, hoses and disc face are included. Six to eight weeks from the date of order.
Which Civic have you got
This is the part worth two minutes before you look at prices. Tarox build to the chassis code, and the code is what decides which listing fits your car. If you are not certain which you have, the V5 and the year will get us there on the phone in a minute.
| Generation | Roughly | Tarox kits we list |
|---|---|---|
| EE9 | Late 80s and early 90s | 306mm, 318mm, 325mm |
| EG53, EG63, EG95 | Early to mid 90s | 306mm, 318mm, 325mm |
| EJ1, EJ6, EJ8 | Mid 90s | 306mm, 318mm, 325mm |
| EK4 | Late 90s | 318mm |
| EP3 Type R | 2001 to 2005 | 300mm, 318mm, 330mm |
| FN2 Type R | 2007 to 2011 | 300mm, 318mm, 330mm |
| FK2, FK3, FN1 | 2006 onwards | 315mm, 340mm |
| FD2 Type R | The saloon Type R | 340mm |
HiSpec take a different approach and list most of their Civic kits generically, with a few called out for the EK and the Type R. That means the fitment conversation on a HiSpec kit happens with us before anything is built, which is the honest way to put it.
The wheel question, answered honestly
On some cars we can print a table of minimum wheel sizes because the manufacturer publishes one. On the Civic we cannot, and we would rather say so than make one up.
Tarox have never published minimum wheel sizes; their listings say a kit often fits behind original wheels, which is true and is not a guarantee. The HiSpec Civic kits are the older listings in their range and they do not state a wheel size either. Brembo take a different approach: each product page includes a caliper dimension drawing that shows the A, B and C measurements, and that is what Cameron uses to check clearance against your specific wheel.
| Kit | Disc | Smallest wheel |
|---|---|---|
| HiSpec 310mm Billet 4 | 310mm | Not published, ask us |
| HiSpec 325mm Billet 4 | 325mm | Not published, ask us |
| HiSpec 325mm Monster 4 | 325mm | Not published, ask us |
| HiSpec 335mm Monster 6 | 335mm | Not published, ask us |
| Tarox 300mm and 306mm Sport | 300 / 306mm | Not published, ask us |
| Tarox 340mm Super Sport | 340mm | Not published, ask us |
| Brembo GT kits | 328 to 380mm | Clearance drawing on the product page; Cameron checks A, B and C |
HiSpec 310mm Billet 4: the sensible way in
The cheapest route to a proper conversion on a Civic, and for a lot of road cars it is enough. The Billet 4 is HiSpec’s most popular caliper, a four piston design they have built for years, CNC machined from billet so it stays rigid where a cast caliper flexes. Behind it sits a 310mm two piece disc, which is a serious step over anything the standard car ran.
At £1,130.00 inc VAT this is several hundred pounds under the entry Tarox, and it is the kit we suggest most often to somebody upgrading a road going Civic that sees the occasional track evening.
- £1,130.00 inc VAT
- 310mm two piece discs
- Four piston billet Billet 4 calipers, five colours
- Brackets and fitting hardware in the box, pads and hoses priced separately
- Wheel size not published, so we check yours first
HiSpec 325mm: Billet 4 or Monster 4
The next rung, and where the money starts to go further. Both kits run a 325mm disc; the difference is the caliper. The Billet 4 at £1,470.00 is the same family as the 310mm kit with more disc. The Monster 4 at £1,596.00 uses a pad a third longer than the Billet 4, which puts more material against the disc and takes more heat before anything starts to fade.
Garreth’s view: on a road car that does a couple of track days a year, the Billet 4 is plenty and the extra £126 is better spent on a decent pad. If the car is genuinely being driven hard, take the Monster.
- Billet 4 at £1,470.00, Monster 4 at £1,596.00, both inc VAT
- 325mm two piece discs on both
- Monster 4 carries the longer pad and more clamp
- Pads and hoses priced separately, so budget for both
Tarox 306mm and 300mm Sport: the complete kit
This is where Tarox start, and it is the easiest kit on the page to buy because everything is in the box, down to the braided hoses and the Corsa pads already sitting in the calipers. Six piston billet calipers, two piece floating discs balanced to 0.05mm, and you pick the disc face and caliper colour when you order.
Which one you want depends on the car. The 306mm kit at £1,882.67 covers the older Civics, the EE9 through the EG and EJ. The 300mm kit at £1,986.49 is the Type R fitment for the EP3 and FN2. Same idea, different brackets, and the listings are separate for exactly that reason.
- 306mm for older Civics at £1,882.67 inc VAT
- 300mm for the EP3 and FN2 Type R at £1,986.49 inc VAT
- Corsa pads and braided hoses included and fitted
- Six piston billet calipers, hand assembled in Italy
- Discs hand balanced to 0.05mm, four face styles to choose
HiSpec 335mm Monster 6: the track pick
When the Civic is doing proper track work, this is our HiSpec answer. The Monster 6 is the six piston version of the Monster 4: same pad size, but up to 63 per cent more piston area, which means more clamp and a firmer pedal that stays consistent as the temperature climbs. The 335mm disc gives more leverage and more surface to shed heat into.
We list it both generically and specifically for the Type R at the same price, so pick the listing that matches your car and we will confirm the bracket before it is built.
- £1,773.00 inc VAT, either listing
- 335mm two piece discs
- Six piston Monster 6 calipers, up to 63% more piston area than the Monster 4
- High temperature seals and stainless wear plates
- Pads and hoses priced separately
Tarox 340mm Super Sport: the flagship
The biggest brake either Tarox or HiSpec lists for the Civic, and the one for an FD2, an FN1 or an FK running serious pace. The Super Sport uses sequentially sized pistons so the pad wears evenly and the pedal stays consistent when everything is hot, on a 340mm two piece floating disc.
One word on the name, because it matters. The listing calls it the 10 pot, which is what the older B34 design ran. Read the description and the specification and both say eight pistons, which is what actually arrives. We have flagged the titles internally; in the meantime, the kit is an eight piston caliper and a very good one.
- £2,610.00 inc VAT, complete
- 340mm two piece floating discs
- Eight sequentially sized pistons, despite the 10 pot in the title
- Corsa pads and braided hoses included and fitted
- Listed for the FD2, FN1, FK2 and FK3
Brembo GT: the aspirational pick
Brembo cover the Civic from the EP3 and FN2 Type R right through to the current FL5. Entry is the GT-A two piece kit at 328mm, listed for the EP3 and FN2 at £3,300.55 inc VAT: the same caliper family Brembo supply to Ferrari. On the FK8 and FL5 Type R the disc steps to 380mm and three caliper families are available.
The GT-M at £4,662.68 is the monobloc: one piece of cast aluminium, six pistons, no joint line to flex when the brakes are working hard on circuit. Garreth puts that one ahead of the GT-S for most track use on price alone; the GT-S at £4,767.47 is billet in place of cast for a difference of just over £100. There is also a GT-BM 345mm for FC-chassis variants at £4,034.00. The GT-R at £8,906.26 is the race version and the most expensive front kit we list for any Civic.
All Brembo kits are made to order in Italy. Six to eight weeks from the date of order. Caliper colour is a free choice; the disc can be cross-drilled or Type 3 slotted at no extra cost.
- GT-A 328mm for the EP3 and FN2 Type R at £3,300.55 inc VAT
- GT-BM 345mm for FC-chassis variants at £4,034.00 inc VAT
- GT-M 380mm for the FK8 and FL5 Type R at £4,662.68 inc VAT
- GT-S 380mm at £4,767.47 and GT-R 380mm at £8,906.26, both inc VAT
- Made to order in Italy, six to eight weeks from the date of order
- Cameron checks the A, B and C caliper dimensions on the product page drawing before anything is built
- Cross-drilled or Type 3 slotted, same price; caliper colour a free choice
The bigger kits
Three more Tarox and HiSpec kits sit alongside the picks above. HiSpec’s 360mm Monster 6 is the largest disc they list for the Civic. Tarox’s 330mm Sport is the step up for the EP3 and FN2 Type R, and their 315mm covers the FK2, FK3 and FN1. All three are big wheel territory, and at this end of the range we would rather talk the build through with you before you order.
What is actually in each box
The headline prices sit further apart than the finished builds do. HiSpec price without pads or hoses so you choose the compound; Tarox and Brembo include both. Spec the HiSpec with pads and hoses and the gap narrows, so compare the finished build.
| In the box | HiSpec | Tarox | Brembo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calipers | Billet 4 or Monster 4 / 6, billet aluminium | Six or eight piston, billet alloy, hand assembled | GT-A two piece, GT-M monobloc, GT-S or GT-R billet |
| Discs | Two piece, with mounting bells | Two piece floating, balanced to 0.05mm | Two piece floating |
| Brackets and hardware | Included | Included | Included |
| Braided hoses | Priced separately | Included | Included |
| Pads | Priced separately, your choice of compound | Corsa pads, fitted | Included |
| Caliper finish | Black, gold, silver, blue or red | Black, red, blue, green or gold anodised | Free colour choice |
| Lead time | A few weeks, made to order in Dartford | Built in Italy; current lead times on request | Six to eight weeks, made to order in Italy |
| Listed by | Mostly generic, some Type R specific | Chassis code, generation by generation | Generation (EP3, FN2, FK8, FL5 and more) |
Every kit on this page compared
| Kit | Disc | Caliper | Pads and hoses | Price inc VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiSpec 310 Billet 4 | 310mm | 4 piston | Extra | £1,130.00 |
| HiSpec 325 Billet 4 | 325mm | 4 piston | Extra | £1,470.00 |
| HiSpec 325 Monster 4 | 325mm | 4 piston, longer pad | Extra | £1,596.00 |
| HiSpec 335 Monster 6 | 335mm | 6 piston | Extra | £1,773.00 |
| HiSpec 360 Monster 6 | 360mm | 6 piston | Extra | £1,863.00 |
| Tarox 306 Sport | 306mm | 6 piston | Included | £1,882.67 |
| Tarox 300 Sport, Type R | 300mm | 6 piston | Included | £1,986.49 |
| Tarox 315 Sport | 315mm | 6 piston | Included | £2,045.00 |
| Tarox 330 Sport, Type R | 330mm | 6 piston | Included | £2,280.00 |
| Tarox 340 Super Sport | 340mm | 8 piston | Included | £2,610.00 |
| Brembo GT-A 328 (EP3 / FN2 Type R) | 328mm | 4 piston | Included | £3,300.55 (6-8 wks) |
| Brembo GT-BM 345 (FC3 / FC1) | 345mm | 4 piston | Included | £4,034.00 (6-8 wks) |
| Brembo GT-M 380 (FK8 Type R) | 380mm | 6 piston | Included | £4,662.68 (6-8 wks) |
| Brembo GT-M 380 (FL5 Type R) | 380mm | 6 piston | Included | £4,662.68 (6-8 wks) |
| Brembo GT-S 380 (FK8 / FL5) | 380mm | 6 piston | Included | £4,767.47 (6-8 wks) |
| Brembo GT-R 380 (FK8 / FL5) | 380mm | 6 piston | Included | £8,906.26 (6-8 wks) |
Prices include VAT and were correct on 22 September 2026. No minimum wheel size is published by HiSpec or Tarox for this car, which is why that column is not in this table. Brembo clearance is checked from the dimension drawing on each product page. Choosing the disc face at the same time? The disc guide covers it, and the pad compound guide covers what to put in a HiSpec kit.
Common questions
Which kit fits my Civic?
On the Tarox side, find your chassis code in the table above and the listing will say it. On the HiSpec side most listings are generic to the Civic, so tell us the year, the model and whether it is a Type R and we will confirm the bracket before anything is built. The V5 answers all of it.
Will it clear my wheels?
We cannot answer that from the listings on this car, because neither HiSpec nor Tarox publish a minimum wheel size for the Civic kits. Tarox say their kits often fit behind original wheels, which is a fair statement and not a promise. Brembo supply a caliper dimension drawing on each product page; Cameron checks the A, B and C dimensions against your specific wheel before anything is built. Whatever kit you are looking at, give us the make, model and size of your wheels and we will check it first.
Why is the Tarox so much more than the HiSpec?
Two reasons. The Tarox kits include the braided hoses and a set of Corsa pads already fitted, where the HiSpec price is for the kit alone. And they are built and hand assembled in Italy to a different specification. Spec a HiSpec kit with pads and hoses and the gap narrows, though it does not close. For a lot of road cars the HiSpec is the better buy and we will say so.
The 340mm kit says 10 pot. How many pistons does it have?
Eight. The 10 pot in the title refers to the older B34 design; the current caliper uses eight sequentially sized pistons, which is what both the product description and the specification say. We have flagged the titles for correction. The kit itself is not in question, only the name on the listing.
Do I need to change the rear brakes as well?
Usually not. The front axle does the overwhelming majority of the braking, and on most Civics a front conversion with a decent pad transforms the car on its own. Rear upgrades earn their place on heavier cars and on cars used hard on circuit, where you are chasing balance. Ask us before you spend, because the answer is often no.
How long does a kit take to arrive?
HiSpec kits are made to order in Dartford, so allow a few weeks. Tarox kits are built for the specific car in Italy and lead times move through the year. Brembo kits are made to order in Italy as well: six to eight weeks from the date of order. Ask when you order and we will give you the current picture instead of a guess.
Do Brembo make kits for the Civic, and which generations do they cover?
Yes. Brembo start at the EP3 and FN2 Type R with a GT-A 328mm kit at £3,300.55 inc VAT and cover right through to the FK8 and FL5 Type R with GT-M, GT-S and GT-R options on a 380mm disc. GT-BM 345mm kits cover some FC-chassis variants. All are made to order in Italy, six to eight weeks from the date of order. Cameron checks the wheel clearance from the caliper dimension drawing on each product page before anything is built.
What we would actually fit
On a road going Civic, the 310mm Billet 4 at £1,130.00, and put the difference into a decent pad. That is the answer for most of the cars we get asked about, and it is a big step over standard. If the car is driven hard, move up to the 325mm Monster 4. For a Civic doing regular track days, the 335mm Monster 6 is the one that stops fading when the session gets long.
If you want one box with nothing left to add, the Tarox Sport kit for your generation is the tidiest package here, hoses and pads included. And on an FD2 or a quick FK, the 340mm Super Sport suits what those cars are.
For a FK8 or FL5 Type R doing real circuit work, the Brembo GT-M 380mm at £4,662.68 is worth the jump. Monobloc caliper, 380mm disc, made to order in Italy. Six to eight weeks.
Whichever way you lean, ring us on 0115 9893488 with the chassis code and your wheel details before you order. On this car those two things decide everything, and it takes about five minutes to get them both right.