Browse › Tech ›Brakes, suspension and wheels
This thread was saved without dates. "Around Mar 2005" is estimated from neighbouring threads.
Okay, as all of us with solid axles know, there's very few options for us in the lsd and brakes area. We've already come up with the idea of using a RX7 rear axle which IMO is a great idea, but what about other options? Is a narrowed ford 9inch too big of a rearend? Are there any small truck or other car rearends that will fit?
narrowed ford 9inch
Mostly too heavy for such a small car. I think the RX7 idea is probably the best, esepcially since the later 1st gens came with disc brakes. The 2nd gens were IRS though. From what I remember of my 80 RX7, the suspension setup was very similar to the 200SX, except it had a sort of Watts linkage behind the rear axle.
In fact, what does the S12 solid axle have? Panhard bar?
As far as I can tell (correct me if I'm wrong) the parts breakdown only shows the two angled upper links and the lower links which are straight front to back. No sign of a panhard bar or any other linkage to hold the axle straight, maybe the two upper links do double duty.
Does anybody know of anyone that makes custom axle housings for the rx7 axles, maybe something nice and smooth with no brackets already welded on. Are there any 5-lug conversions for those, it would look kind of funny to have 5-lugs in the front and four in the back
Unless you plan to up grade the fron brakes as well, I would not even bother changing out the rear drums. Many think that I am crazy, but I prefer drums just based on the fact that they are easier to work on (no rusty rotors), nor do you have to worry about the rear calipers seizing on you (which most of us have had happen) Plus you can still lock the drums so I personally don't see any real benefit. Remember that your rear brakes only do 30% of your braking...
However if you do want to swap the RX-7 would be a good option. PLus I believe this has been discussed, but I think you can adapt the rear disks off the Bluebird on to the live axles on the S12...
Yeah, we discussed it awhile ago, but it didn't really go anywhere. The biggest reason isn't really the brakes, it's just the lsd matters. The brakes are just a bonus, btw my front brakes are getting upgraded to z32 brakes after I do my s13 front suspension swap. Very good point though.
Well, I don't know about these cars, but on the 3rd gen F-body's, rear discs make a drastic improvement in stopping ability. But I know that's kind of comparing apples to oranges...
I guess the 200SX 4-link is different than I remember it. So in other words, the setup is more like the triangulated 4 link of a Fox-bodied mustang, which doesn't have a panhard bar (even though it needs one). Well, that might be another thing to think about for live axle people. If you're planning on doing any serious cornering, better get a panhard bar or Watts link to keep that axle tracking with the front wheels.
I'll bet it would be too wide, but what about the 7.5" rear from a Fox-bodied mustang? 5 lug axles are pretty easy to get, and the 7.5's are pretty much throw-aways for all the guys who want to get the stronger (but heavier) 8.8...
Anybody have any measurements?
What about a Pathfinder?
Looking at the H190, it looks to me like the center section is removeable like a Chrysler 8 3/4.
If so, we might be able to combine the H230 out of the Pathfinders and pickups with the H190 setup.
The H230 has an LSD available
^^^ That could work, what year of pathfinder? The interest in this subject has inspired me, I called every salvage yard in Albuqerque and found about 13 or so RX7's I'm gonna' check out this weekend. 'Til then keep posting any ideas are greatly appreciated.