300ZX F&R Brake Swap

[importnut]

300ZX F&R brake swap (http://importnut.net/300zxbrakeswap.htm)

I finally finished the write-up for my 300ZX f&r brake swap.

Please email me with questions, comments or concerns.

Enjoy!
-Alex

[kanekz]

Wow, looks like your a busy man.  I just saw your pics for the whitline t/c rod bushings and now this. Godd stuff. Keep it up.

[BadMoJo]

wow.....


All I can say is FAQ! &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>


Nice write up man. WeST should put this on the installs page.

[camppain]

glad to see you have finally completed the swap an write up alex. kudos <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[importnut]

Thanks for the compliments! &nbsp;Also, thanks for reminding me to send Mark an email.

This was a lot of work, but it was worth it for the sake of helping everyone else out.

-Alex

[adey]

Very nicely done!
Let us know when you get the handbrakes working, and if you have any problems. I agree that your current setup looks a little... sketchy. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/satisfied.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':satisfied:'>

I'm curious about the MC swap though -- you talk about using or not using the ABS plug on the MC. Do you leave it plugged if you don't have ABS, or do you unplug it if you don't have ABS (doesn't seem to make sense)? &nbsp;I take it you meant the former -- which leads me to believe your S14 has ABS...


Good stuff!

[importnut]

The splice on the e-brake itself is not the sketchy part. You'd be surprised at how well that works! The part that is the issue is the lack of support. The cable's housing needs to be supported. That meaning that both ends need to be fixed. Without that support, they can move around and basically make the cables ineffective. That's why the zip-ties are there holding it. Once I get a hold of another pair of cables, i'm going to do the splice very close to the drum. The support for the cables will be there and allow them to work flawlessly.

Ya know, I read that part about the ABS vs. non-ABS over and over again, and it kinda confused me...sorry <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I'll rewrite that section so that it makes sense.

I do not have ABS. If you do not have ABS, you have to remove the plug. On an ABS equipped car, only two lines go to the ABS pump. Front and Rear....just as it is on the 300ZX.

-Alex

[Kid Zelda]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (importnut @ Oct. 21 2002,7:58)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The splice on the e-brake itself is not the sketchy part. You'd be surprised at how well that works! The part that is the issue is the lack of support. The cable's housing needs to be supported. That meaning that both ends need to be fixed. Without that support, they can move around and basically make the cables ineffective. That's why the zip-ties are there holding it. Once I get a hold of another pair of cables, i'm going to do the splice very close to the drum. The support for the cables will be there and allow them to work flawlessly.

Ya know, I read that part about the ABS vs. non-ABS over and over again, and it kinda confused me...sorry <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I'll rewrite that section so that it makes sense.

I do not have ABS. If you do not have ABS, you have to remove the plug. On an ABS equipped car, only two lines go to the ABS pump. Front and Rear....just as it is on the 300ZX.

-Alex</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I used the OLD supports from the rear S13 240sx brakes. They come in &nbsp;black rubber inclosed on the S13 ebrake lines with the metal bracket, just cut the rubber a little, just enough to get them off, and put them on the Z32 E-brakes lines and bolt them on the original location. You can also make the e-brake work without cutting the lines, you re-route them, but I didn't like that idea. &nbsp;(And yes, I found this out way before that stupid SCC write-up) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

I'm using 2 different kinds of cable clamps. I need to adjusts the E-brake through the drum because it's not catching all the way, haven't gotten around it to yet. The rear brake lines for the calipers, I had those made, fit like a glove.

Nice write-up, I was too lazy, and it would get in my way if I had to document, especially, having to take off your gloves or wash your hands every time you needed to take a picture, hahahaha

[mbmbmb23]

Nice write up!!

Yeah...I was confused about the ABS vs. Non ABS issue...concerning the Z32 mc. &nbsp;

Just say that non abs uses all 3 ports, abs uses all but the middle one.

Also...I didnt see if you had a section on rebuilding the calipers...but if you goto twinturbo.net they have it in their "how to" section....so maybe you can snag that for your page or something.

-m

[importnut]

Who said I cleaned my hands before using the camera?? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> &nbsp;Yeah, that poor camera gets a beatin'!

As for the ABS vs non-ABS, I reworded it and should dissolve any confusion.

I believe the S14 e-brake setup is different. &nbsp;This wouldn't be surprising given the difference between the S13 and S14 subframes. &nbsp;Project silvia keeps talking abou their conversion lines, and there are completely different lines for S13 and S14. &nbsp;They have an extension for S13's and a complete cable replacement for S14's.

Finally, the thought about rebuilding the calipers. &nbsp;That's a good idea. &nbsp;I'll look into it and add it to the first update (which should include solid e-brake info as well!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

-Alex

[Halz]

Has there been any information regarding the front/rear brake bias after making modifications to the 300ZX master cylinder?

Also, I have to wonder why you didn't loop the e-brake cables around each other, and then clamp the cable end back upon itself.. its a wonder the cables don't pull-apart after pulling the e-brake tight..

And the fact that your car is already 5-lug.. shouldn't that have some effect on people's ability to mount the rear parking brake assembly?

Even so, its an excellent write up.. Kudos!

[Kid Zelda]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Halz @ Oct. 22 2002,2:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Has there been any information regarding the front/rear brake bias after making modifications to the 300ZX master cylinder?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
With the Z32 front and rear calipers, before the Z32 master cylinder, the rear for some reason locks-up. After the Z32 master cylinder was installed, the brakes felt fine, normal, hard to lock-up now ... NICE &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[importnut]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Halz @ Oct. 23 2002,1:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Has there been any information regarding the front/rear brake bias after making modifications to the 300ZX master cylinder?

Also, I have to wonder why you didn't loop the e-brake cables around each other, and then clamp the cable end back upon itself.. its a wonder the cables don't pull-apart after pulling the e-brake tight..

And the fact that your car is already 5-lug.. shouldn't that have some effect on people's ability to mount the rear parking brake assembly?

Even so, its an excellent write up.. Kudos!</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
In regards to your thoughts on the e-brakes. &nbsp;Doing what you suggested would have the same problem that I had. &nbsp;Improper support on the outer casing of the cables. &nbsp;Plus, there isn't a lot of room to be playing with the cables. &nbsp;Take it from me, it is not easy to cut, bend or brake these lines!

Why would there be a problem with my calbes pulling apart? &nbsp;Do you realize that the same type of collar is used on suspension bridges? &nbsp;That cable setup is just as strong as if it were welded. &nbsp;The splice would be my last concern.

As I mentioned a few times in this thread, and in the write-up, brake bias with the 300ZX MC and all 300ZX brakes is superb.

-Alex

[Halz]

Has the bias been measured? I believe the FSM has a section on it..

I'm having a hard time seeing a master cylinder that was valved for actuating an ABS booster work as well as it could in a non-ABS system after modifications.

Regarding the cable splice, no. I didn't realize that sort of jointing was used on suspension bridges.

[importnut]

What are you talking about? &nbsp;The MC's biasing goes front to rear, not left to right. &nbsp;How much do you know about fluid dynamics and Pascal's principle? &nbsp;

If you look at the Z32 MC, the two front ports are being pressureize by the same cylinder. &nbsp;So the system pressure will be the same on both holes...or if there was just one. &nbsp;So you have that much pressure going into one, and then splitting into two at the ABS pump. &nbsp;There is no difference. &nbsp;

If you still disagree, I'll jump in with equations.

Oh, you asked another question about 4-lug and the rear drum brake. &nbsp;The e-brake hardware is independent of the hub. &nbsp;So it doesn't matter if you have 4 lugs or 5.

-Alex