Winter Disk Brake Project coming along.

Duke · Jan 9, 2011

Winter Disc Brake Project coming along.

I am using John Logan's article in Rootes Review, Vol. 33 No. 5. May 2007 for this conversion.

I tell ya, 79-85 RX7 brake assemblies are not easy to find. I joined a RX7 forum and got these from a guy parting out his car.

Do not use the online salvage yard parts locators, you will be very disappointing at what you get. I paid $260 for complete rear brake assemblies both R & L. I receive just the calipers and they were in such bad condition that they could not even be used for cores. It took over a month to get a refund too.

I also got two rear stainless steel bake lines from another member of that forum. Just try to buy rear SS brake lines alone. They are only sold as a complete set new.

They have cleaned up nicely and are now Tiger worthy.

The rotors ID were cut by a local machine shop on a lath.

Bill Blue · Jan 9, 2011

So it's a bolt in conversion?

Bill

Duke · Jan 9, 2011

Bill Blue said:
So it's a bolt in conversion?

Bill

Yes. Completely reversible. How cool is that.

The project is at $360 with only the brake lines and possibly a brake cable adapter still to buy.

64beam · Jan 10, 2011

Hi Duke,

The disc's and caliper's cleaned up very nicely. If you are looking for braided brake lines, you could try some of the hydraulic hose shops around where you are. My local hydraulic shop told me that they can get custom brake lines made up that are compliant with our vehicle requirements here in Australia. Not sure of their cost though.

Keep us posted on your install.

P.S How is that stroker motor going?

Regards, Robin.

Duke · Jan 10, 2011

64beam said:
If you are looking for braided brake lines, you could try some of the hydraulic hose shops around where you are.
P.S How is that stroker motor going?

Hey Ron,

I have stainless steel braided lines (see above pictures). I just need to make the hard lines from them to the "T" I am going to install to the line that goes to the rear axle from the body.

The stroker will get finished in March/April.

64beam · Jan 11, 2011

Hi Duke,
The other option is to run your hard lines as per a standard Tiger. Run hard line to each of the calliper's and then you only need one braided line from the body to the diff.
Regards, Robin.

Duke · Jan 11, 2011

64beam said:
Hi Duke,
The other option is to run your hard lines as per a standard Tiger. Run hard line to each of the calliper's and then you only need one braided line from the body to the diff.
Regards, Robin.

The problem with that is pad R&R. The calipers are designed to swing up (rotating on the large rod on the mounts) to remove them. Unlike the frontcalipers. I would have to open the brake system to do that with hard lines.

64beam · Jan 12, 2011

Hi Duke,

So all the pieces shown in your pictures is all you need to adapt these to your Tiger? Is it possible to post a copy of the article that you made reference to?

Thanks, Robin.

Duke · Jan 12, 2011

What is not shown are the adapter brackets to mount the calipers. I am having mine made local from the plans posted in the article.

Adapter brackets are available from John Logan Jr. He can be reached at: 2045 N Lafayette St. Dearborn, Mi. 48128; Phone. (313)-563-8625 slainte@peoplepc.com

I don't know how to post a .pdf file of the article or where to host it. Shoot me a PM with your email addy and I will send you a copy.

64beam · Jan 13, 2011

Duke said:
What is not shown are the adapter brackets to mount the calipers. I am having mine made local from the plans posted in the article.

Adapter brackets are available from John Logan Jr. He can be reached at: 2045 N Lafayette St. Dearborn, Mi. 48128; Phone. (313)-563-8625 slainte@peoplepc.com

I don't know how to post a .pdf file of the article or where to host it. Shoot me a PM with your email addy and I will send you a copy.

Hi Duke,

I have sent you an email.

Thanks, Robin.

Duke · Jan 14, 2011

A pic of the right side. Trial fit before the brake line is attached and pads. So far, so good.

Left is done too. I got the brake lines run but am not happy with the amount of adapters I had to use. Will be cleaning that up in the future.

A Tiger friend provided me a solution to the parking brake cable issue. I will post pics of it soon.

64beam · Jan 15, 2011

Great job Duke. Very tempting upgrade.

Duke · Jan 15, 2011

FINISHED!!!

So........let’s talk about the PITA brake cable. I decided to use the Tiger brake cable. It would need to be shortened with other modifications to work.

Pictured here it the RX7 cables. The one on the top I disassembled. I wanted to get the fitting off of the end to install on the Tiger cable sheath. It took some work to get the RX7 sheath out but it is doable with some patients.

Here is a pic of the RX7 end cap on the Tiger cable. I used different sized sockets with grease to flair the fitting back open using the vise. I then tapped it on the end of the Tiger sheath and used some 5 minute epoxy to make sure it would stay. I cut the cable with a Dremel cutting wheel, very clean cut.

I bought a "swagless" cable end fitting that ended up being too long to work. It was also for a 3mm cable and the Tiger cable is 3.5mm. So disregard the silver piece completely. The pivot piece that fits in the forks on the caliper I made from a brass T.

I thought it may be too soft so I screwed a steel bolt through the middle and then cut it off on both sides. Finally, I drilled a hole through the center.

Duke · Jan 15, 2011

I then turned to the cable length and way to crimp a stop fitting on the end.
First was to determine how much cable slack is needed on the handbrake side, it was 1 1/4"

Making sure that the cable stays in place, I then attached the cable to the caliper and determined the length needed there. Pic of cable fitting already swaged.

I used a "Swaging Tool" I bought at Home Depot for $27 to properly "swag" the aluminum fitting in place.

Pic of the left caliper installed with the parking brake in place. It takes four clicks to fully engage it....perfect!

Duke · Jan 15, 2011

Here is the mess of adapters I used to get the brake lines installed. What I need is a T that goes from a bubble flare out to two double flare fittings.

Right side finished.

Left side finished.

Duke · Jan 15, 2011

How beautiful is that....rear disk brakes.......it was soooooo easy.

Total price: ~$400.

alpine_64 · Jan 15, 2011

Duke,

The end results are really nice, its good that you pent the time to clean and prep everything properly, makes the install look factory fresh. I cant remember if you have the booster still hooked up, if not might be time to play around with the master setups to get some better feel with the new all disc setup.. or, switch to a dual system which would be ideal.

Duke · Jan 15, 2011

alpine_64 said:
Duke,

The end results are really nice, its good that you pent the time to clean and prep everything properly, makes the install look factory fresh. I cant remember if you have the booster still hooked up, if not might be time to play around with the master setups to get some better feel with the new all disc setup.. or, switch to a dual system which would be ideal.

Thanks!

I have a Lockheed booster. I am planning on using Dale A's from vented rotor kit for the OEM front calipers. Once that is in, I will see how the bias is and then look at different pads and then possibly a master cylinder change.

64beam · Jan 15, 2011

Hi Duke,

Have you been out for a road test yet and if yes, how did they performance in the current setup?

Thanks, Robin.

Duke · Jan 16, 2011

64beam said:
Have you been out for a road test yet and if yes, how did they performance in the current setup?.

No, too much snow, salt and slush.

If anyone wants higher def pictures from above just email me.