Tools Needed:

Brake Pads:

CA18 to SR20DET front brake swap:

I unfortunately didn't bring along a camera when we did this so heres a brief verbal description of what went on.

SR20DET front brakes cost me $330 for the pair and came with stub axle, disc, and piston. Note that you can use the original stub axle when doing this conversion as both types use a floating disc that sits on the hub. The conversion was really clockwork, the only two time consuming things involved were bleeding the brakes (see service manual for simple instructions) and mashing the dust covers to fit.

Now the dust covers had two problems, first you need to simply push the dust covers inwards to ensure they dont rub against the (thicker?) disc and secondly you'll need to whip out your angle grinder to do some slicing and dicing. The calipers on the SR20 brakes are bigger than the CA18 ones, so the gap in the dust covers need to be slightly widened - but this is easily done with the help of a grinder.

Once the brakes are on, the pistons can be pushed in by hand (they dont screw in like the rear brakes) or if you are really week, use a g-clamp to help push them in. Once the pads are in, you need to bleed the brakes according to the service manual.

Rear brake pad install:

1. Put wheel stoppers under one wheel to stop car rolling. Jack car up and remove alloy wheel.

2. Open the bonnet and remove the top of the brake fluid reservoir. Place a dirty rag around the reservoir to catch any overflow just in case.

3. Remove the two 14mm bolts on the top of the caliper. The middle of the caliper (piston assembly) should then slide out with some gentle wiggiling. Note: Make sure you have the handbrake off if your are doing the rear wheels.

4. Take off the thin metal plates from the outside of the old pads. Use the small flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the old pads out. Now slot the new pads in and put the thin metal plates back on the outside.

5. Grab hold of the piston assembly and using your needle nose pliers, screw the piston inwards in a clockwise movement. Note: Be sure to turn the piston carefully so as not to damage the rubber dust seal around it.

6. Once the piston has been screwed far enough in, place the piston back over the pads and screw the two 14mm bolts back into the top of the caliper.

7. Put lid back on brake fluid reservoir and close the bonnet. Start the car and while idling step on the brake pedal a few times - this will re-adjust the piston.