Sony Scion Project: Big Brake Upgrade

Shops, People & Opinion Dave MacKinnon l Photos by Mark Harris

The Project Scion tC has moved through many stages of development – power, entertainment and style to name just a few. It’s now time to address an area that is truly functional and can make or (literally) break the success of any performance build – braking. We are honored to be the first to install the new TRD big brake kit for the tC, and thanks to the crew at International Automotive and Custom in Woodbridge, Ontario, the install was painless.

The TRD PTR09-21111 kit features a set of monoblock 4-piston calipers, upgraded brake pads, new brake lines, a pair of cross-drilled, vented rotors and mounting hardware. The size of the rotors and caliper pistons has been carefully chosen to maintain proper front/rear braking bias and ABS functionality. This kit is designed to work with with the tC’s OEM 18-inch wheels in addition to the aftermarket variety that are at least 18 inches in size.

Step 1: Remove OEM brakes

As with most OE-developed products, a very detailed 13-page installation manual is included.

• Raise the car on a chassis hoist and remove the wheels and store in a safe place away from the vehicle.

• Disconnect and cap the factory rubber brake line from the hard line.

• Remove the OE brake caliper and hose, bracket and rotor. Discard or sell on eBay.

Step 2: Modify factory dust shield

• Clean the dust shield and mark the areas to be removed with a paint marker as per pages five and six of the instructions.

• Using tin snips (and wearing gloves) cut away the metal. Use an angle grinder to clean up the edge if required.

• Spray or paint the exposed metal edge with Tremclad or a similar product to prevent rust.

Step 3: Install the TRD rotor

• Clean the surface of the hub with a wire brush to ensure the rotor will sit flat.

• Clean the shipping anti-rust coating off the front and back of the rotor with brake cleaner.

• Slide the rotor onto the hub and tighten with a single lug-nut by hand to hold it in place.

• Check for proper clearance between the rotor and the dust shield. Trim the dust shield if necessary.

S30.world Launches "The Masterpieces" - Celebrating Nissan's S30 Platform

S30.world has announced a project that takes a focused approach to the preservation of the Datsun 240Z and its Fairlady Z counterpart. The initiative...

Chopping Block: Lexus LS

Here we go again. Another week, another sedan gets retired. Sometimes the car receives a send-off with a limited production final edition model (Lexus...

Chopping Block: Audi A7 and S7

Time for yet another entry in Chopping Block, our non-exhaustive journal of discontinued cars. It’s a list that, unfortunately, keeps growing as more...

2027 Golf R to get 394-hp 5-cylinder turbo?

With an output of 328 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque, the Volkswagen Golf R is an objectively powerful small car. And if recent reports are...

Nissan rolls out Z Heritage Edition for 2026, confirms manual for Z NISMO

Nissan kicked off September with two rounds of good news for Z enthusiasts when it confirmed that a limited production Heritage Edition will join the...

2026 Honda Prelude makes its North American debut

After slow-dripping news about the forthcoming 2026 Prelude for months, Honda has finally revealed the all-new sixth gen sports coupe in full for...