2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Anyone Running Manual Brakes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-02-10, 08:52 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
sciff5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ma
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyone Running Manual Brakes

Just wanted to hear about some of your setups and how the pedal feel is. Looking to shorten the pedal throw, take all the slop or initial pedal movement before the brakes start to bite and increase the feel through the pedal at impending lockup.

I have an 89 GTU with the original booster/mc but I swapped over to the s4 T2 calipers/rotors. My brakes are bled and the car technically brakes perfectly fine with more than enough power to lock up the tires but the pedal feels like a toyota camry or an american suv.


I've been looking at the 929 setup and still may go that way. Honestly I dont need amazing race car brakes and I'm not saying I want porsche brakes but I have driven a couple porsches and I'm looking for that stiff short throw feel to the brakes. I am even thinking of goign with a 929 1" mc and NO booster which would create a VERY stiff pedal, but its prob way too stiff.


Things I plan to do include carbotec xp8 pads and bracing the MC
Dont know if its possible to acheive what I'm looking for.

Just exploring options in case I missed something. I hate working with brake fluid so I'de like to do this just once.

Thanks
Old 03-02-10, 09:25 PM
  #2  
FD Daily

iTrader: (26)
 
K-Tune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
one of the cars im working on doesn't have a vacuum source going to the booster yet, and it sucks just driving it around in a parking lot...i can't imagine trying to brake with speed.
Old 03-02-10, 09:44 PM
  #3  
version 2.0

iTrader: (17)
 
texFCturboII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 3,590
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
There's a great thread on here that i cant seem to find about a guy who experimented swapping out several different MC's from different cars, just to see how a different diameter MC would effect the brake feel / response. Im in a hurry, but its on here... IIRC he had the greatest success with a Subaru MC.
Old 03-02-10, 09:51 PM
  #4  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
sciff5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ma
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by texFCturboII
There's a great thread on here that i cant seem to find about a guy who experimented swapping out several different MC's from different cars, just to see how a different diameter MC would effect the brake feel / response. Im in a hurry, but its on here... IIRC he had the greatest success with a Subaru MC.
Its called "The holy grail Part II" I read through it a few times. Want to hear about other setups if there is any. I think I did a good amount of searching just made this thread in case I missed something
Old 03-02-10, 10:14 PM
  #5  
Registered User

iTrader: (11)
 
Schmitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lincoln Park, NJ
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
You can adjust the rod length from pedal to the mc under the dash on the pedal assembly to stiffen up the feel. The FSM or chiltons/haynes manual will show you how to adjust it. I remember I had to do it when I first got my car because the pedal feel sucked. Try this before you start swapping parts!
Old 03-02-10, 11:44 PM
  #6  
you are missed

iTrader: (2)
 
nillahcaz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by sciff5
(1) Looking to shorten the pedal throw, take all the slop or initial pedal movement before the brakes start to bite and increase the feel through the pedal at impending lockup.

(2) I have an 89 GTU with the original booster/mc but I swapped over to the s4 T2 calipers/rotors. My brakes are bled and the car technically brakes perfectly fine with more than enough power to lock up the tires but the pedal feels like a toyota camry or an american suv.

(3) I've been looking at the 929 setup and still may go that way. Honestly I dont need amazing race car brakes and I'm not saying I want porsche brakes but I have driven a couple porsches and I'm looking for that stiff short throw feel to the brakes. I am even thinking of goign with a 929 1" mc and NO booster which would create a VERY stiff pedal, but its prob way too stiff.

(4) bracing the MC
(1) Manual brakes will not shorten the throw at all. With out the help of the booster you will need a SMALLER diameter MC with a longer throw, The rod on the petal is to adjust slop but you can not use it to stiffen up the brakes.
(2) I had the 4 lug set up on mine and did the swap over to the 5lug 4 piston and had no change in feel. The S5 may be softer than S4? but i don't know.
(3)If you want to get more feel try SS lines and check for leaks or bad MC or leaking line, they should not be overly soft. If you KNOW there is no air in the lines 100%, you swap out to SS lines and its still not firm enough get the 929 MC and keep you're booster. Again no booster you need smaller MC with longer throw, If you get a larger mc AND run no booster you will push the pedal so hard you will leave you're seat and still run over 9000 kittens.
(4) look in the archive, its there, its easy, it works better than you think.


Originally Posted by K-Tune
one of the cars im working on doesn't have a vacuum source going to the booster yet, and it sucks just driving it around in a parking lot...i can't imagine trying to brake with speed.
As I said, this is not manual breaks. Its just like steering, power rack with no power is a bitch, manual rack makes you think any one with power rack is a puss.

Originally Posted by Nismonic
You can adjust the rod length from pedal to the mc under the dash on the pedal assembly to stiffen up the feel. The FSM or chiltons/haynes manual will show you how to adjust it. I remember I had to do it when I first got my car because the pedal feel sucked. Try this before you start swapping parts!
again. this has nothing to do with petal pressure, just free play. But having it proper will make them feel stiffer just due to the fact the more you push them the harder they are and now its starting to work earlier.
Old 03-03-10, 12:00 AM
  #7  
rotorhead

iTrader: (3)
 
arghx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: cold
Posts: 16,182
Received 429 Likes on 263 Posts
take all the slop or initial pedal movement before the brakes start to bite
adjust the brake booster pushrod length
Old 03-03-10, 12:15 AM
  #8  
Tear you apart

iTrader: (10)
 
Jager's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Bemidji Minnesota
Posts: 5,883
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Shoot Z-Brown a PM on the v8rx7forum. He's done it and explained it in his build thread.

Good luck.
Old 03-03-10, 06:18 AM
  #9  
Cake or Death?

iTrader: (2)
 
clokker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mile High
Posts: 10,249
Received 63 Likes on 53 Posts
zbrown is the guy to ask.
We've spoken a few times and it's important to note that he didn't just ditch the booster and install the MC.
The MC was relocated to increase the pedal ratio, a feat he made seem easy but appears more complicated to me.

I made a dual MC, manual setup for my 240Z and loved the results.
I had first upgraded to 4-piston Toyota truck calipers in front (stock was two piston) and from drums in the rear to Volvo 2-piston calipers.
Later went with Outlaw 4-piston front calipers with larger diameter Acura rotors.

Since I didn't make a balance bar setup, I had to get the proportioning set by juggling MC sizes- math will only get you so close and there's a bit of "try it and see" at the end.
I'm guessing that car had the brake feel (not to mention performance) you're looking for but it took a lot more than just replacing the MC/booster to get there.
Old 03-03-10, 06:33 AM
  #10  
RX-7 Old Timer

 
ColinShark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
From what I have read, you need to keep the brakes adjusted for a small amount of initial "slop". Otherwise, when the braking system heats up under heavy use, it expands, takes up all the slop, the brakes start dragging, and you'll cook your calipers, rotors, and pads.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BNR34RB26DETT
Build Threads
42
02-28-18 11:27 AM
Frisky Arab
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
13
08-18-15 05:30 PM



Quick Reply: Anyone Running Manual Brakes



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:56 AM.