TL Type-S Brembo front brakes with TL-S knuckles (spindle swap)
into TSX (from TL 6-speed manual / TL Type-S (Brembo-equipped))

UA6 TL 6-speed manual / TL Type-S (Brembo-equipped) 2004-2008
→
CL9 TSX 2004-2008

Yes: the TL Type-S Brembo front brakes with TL-S knuckles (spindle swap) from the TL 6-speed manual / TL Type-S (Brembo-equipped) (2004-2008) fits the TSX (2004-2008) — difficult difficulty, modifications required.

Verdict
Fits.
Verified entry · modifications required
Verified ✓
Difficulty
Difficult
Mods
Required
Category
Brakes

Installation notes

Yes — the Brembo front brakes from a Brembo-equipped Acura TL (UA6: 2004–2006 6-speed manual or 2007–2008 Type-S) can be fitted to a 2004–2008 Acura TSX (CL9) by swapping the complete TL front spindles (knuckle, hub, caliper, rotor) along with TL outer tie rod ends and brake hoses. The evidence is owner forum posts, not a vendor kit. One AcuraZine owner documented the swap on a 2004 TSX using TL Type-S upper control arms and the stock TSX lower arms; the TL lower arm's mounting holes don't line up with the TSX body. He reported the same pedal feel and thought braking was 'at least 25%' better, though in the same thread he also said stopping distances were about the same and mainly depend on tires. His main reason was to stop the repeated front rotor warping he had with the stock TSX brakes. A second AcuraZine thread lists the TL parts needed (spindles, outer tie rod ends, hoses), but its posters had not finished an install.
ModsMods req.

Required modifications

Replace the TSX front knuckles with complete TL-S spindles: knuckle, hub, Brembo caliper, rotor and splash shield. Fit TL-S outer tie rod ends and TL-S brake hoses. One TSX owner also fitted TL Type-S upper control arms, which are smaller than the TSX arms, while keeping the TSX lower control arms. He did this because the two mounting holes on the TL lower arm don't line up with the TSX. Other posters describe drilling the TSX knuckle for the Brembo's larger caliper bolts instead of swapping knuckles, but the thread consensus is to swap the whole spindle. Bleed the brakes and get an alignment.

Caution

Important caveats

  • Only TL knuckles built for the Brembo caliper work. These come from Brembo-equipped TLs (2004–2006 6-speed manual and 2007–2008 Type-S), not from base automatic TLs. The AcuraZine D-103 parts list gives the knuckle numbers as 51210-SEP-A01 and 51215-SEP-A01.
  • The threads disagree on the control arms. One owner needed TL-S upper arms. Another poster's list has only spindles, outer tie rod ends and hoses. The TL lower control arm does not bolt to the TSX.
  • An AcuraZine poster says the Brembo caliper has less than 1% more piston area than the stock TSX caliper, so front-to-rear bias should barely change. This is a forum claim, not a measured result.
  • Check wheel clearance before buying. The fetched threads don't confirm which TSX wheels clear the Brembo calipers.
  • This is a brake-system change documented by one completed owner install, with no vendor kit. Have the work checked, bleed the brakes properly and get an alignment before road use.

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Reference

EV specs → LEA-MF6 specs → LEA specs → LEB-H5 specs → B18A1 specs → B18B1 specs → EA specs → EC specs → ED specs → EE specs → EL specs → EM specs → EN specs → EP specs → ER specs → ES specs → ET specs → LEA2 specs → Civic Type R EP3 Brembo Front Brakes → PLE Cylinder Head → PLE →

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Sources

3 refs
  1. 01 https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-tsx-2004-2008-124/tl-type-s-brembo-tsx-942978
  2. 02 https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-tsx-2004-2008-124/tl-brembo-calipers-tsx-659487/
  3. 03 https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/d-103-tl-s-brembo-swap-parts-list-716463/
Submitted by FitMyBuild research Added Updated

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