Rear brake conversion :feedback:

[AutostradaVR4]

Im wondering about changing the rear brakes on my 1993 VR-4 to the gen 2 setup (from single-piston, flaoting caliper to 2-piston rigid; also bigger rotors). Has this been done before? anyone got a link to a more info on it?

How hard would it be, what would i need, what would i need to do, and would it be worth it?



thanks guys

[Igovert500]

You will need 2nd gen calipers/pads and rotors, that's it as far as I've ever heard. You might have to bend/grind the dust shields, but other than that, hte swap should be fairly easy if you have ever done any brake work.

[Stealthee]

Screw the dust shields, they just get in the way. Remove em.

[Ralliart 3000gt]

yea it was done to my car.........

[AutostradaVR4]

cool. good to know its possible, has been done, and is whithin my mechanical ability...

but

...do you guys think its really worth the work, time, and green?

[Igovert500]

Eh, that I can't tell you. I mean it's obviously an improvement, and if you get used calipers from a partout...ALOT cheaper than a Big Brake Kit. However, obviously it also isn't as good as a Big brake kit. Time it would take I don't really consider, nor work, because I don't ever look at mods as a chore....although if I were doing it, I'd also throw on some SS braided brake lines, all new fluid, and paint the calipers, etc. If you are gonna do it, why not go all out. As I said, it would be an improvement, I just don't know how much, so it's hard to say if it's worth the money. I know plenty of NA guys have swapped on 1st gen vr4 brakes and noticed a difference...but fewer have done the swap you are talking about, and I don't recall if any of them mentioned it was noticeably better. Personally if I could locate all the parts cheap, I don't see why not. Plus you could probably sell your old first gen stuff to an NA guy looking to upgrade. If you look for a 2nd gen vr4 part out you could find calipers cheap. I saw this group buy going on rotors and SS lines (you could even get colored lines), awhile back. If you sold your old stuff to pay for the calipers and a bit towards the lines, you already would have to replace the rotors and pads at some point in teh future, so it's only like you would be spending part of the price on SS lines in the long run.

[AutostradaVR4]

yea, i was planning to do slotted rotors, Axxis Ultimate pads, SS braided lines, and Motul 600 fluid. Already got caliper paint kit...just waiting to get time to do it. I got the conversion idea when i was shopping around for stuff. Im on a pretty tight budget, so the Big Brake upgrade is definitely out of the question. I didnt think of looking for calipers in a partout though, thats a good idea! Doing that, I just might be able to finance this conversion successfully! Thanks for the help.


1 last question. Does anyone know if the rear 2nd gen calipers are bigger than the front 1st gen ones? Im concerned about wheel clearance, because my front calipers are already damn close to the wheel, so if the rears will be bigger, the conversion is obviously not an option for me.

[Linebckr49]

if you're looking for SS braided brake lines, IPSmotorsports.net has the best deal on them. the brake lines made by Techna Fit are the cheapest, they're DOT approved. only reason they're cheaper is b/c when you order them, the company makes them for you, then ships it to you, so it will take a few days to get to you, but it works out in the end for the tight budget people. i'm putting mine on, and i'll let you know what braking difference i feel.

[ChrisGood]

Do this, buy new lines, braided of course. Pick up a set of speed bleeders, these make the job a little easier when diy. I know it can be done without but why risk any amount of air. Go buy the calipers and rotors for a 2nd gen at an auto parts store. They will cost you but you get a core exchange, return the cores from your car.

Call this a money saving route. You get good rebuilt calipers real cheap. Hell you could even throw some money at a set of slotted rotors (helps with heat).

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by ChrisGood

Go buy the calipers and rotors for a 2nd gen at an auto parts store. They will cost you but you get a core exchange, return the cores from your car.

i guess he could do this. the Auto Zone ppl might not realize that his calipers (1st gen-single piston) aren't a perfect match (2nd gen-2 piston). risky, but you could try it.

[AutostradaVR4]

hmmm...i didnt realize Autozone did core charges on calipers...

sounds like a pretty good idea though.