disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
01-24-2016, 11:58 AM
#78
DO IT ON ALL FOURS
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
Absolutely not. I know I already quickly explained this privately, but I guess I need to squash this before anyone else wants to question calculated decisions made by myself.
The only thing upside-down from an engineering point of view is the bleeders. If you take off your tire and look at the trailing arm, you will quickly see why the calipers absolutely cannot be mounted ANY other way successfully without compromising the structural integrity of the trailing arm vertical upright.
So, to be able to still hook up the e-brake cables out of the dozen or so calipers I have tried, it requires the bleeders to point down. Have you ever worked on a Volkswagen? Some of their vehicles have brakes exactly like this - bleeders pointing down. It is more than easy enough to defeat any bleeding issue - turn the caliper upside down. If you don't, you WILL NOT bleed the brakes successfully; not even with air over vacuum power brake bleeder, trust me, I tried... I put many hours into trying to make this "idiot proof", which is almost impossible LOL, but you get where I am coming from.
Nothing about this conversion is straight forward aside from putting on the brake rotors and mounting the caliper braket, that's literally it. All of this and much more is detailed in the write-up/guide. I wouldn't technically call it a write-up, as it expects you to have common sense and mechanical abilities... I guess I should have been more clear about that from the beginning. If this brake conversion was so easy, more people would be doing it themselves. I have yet to see a successful conversion aside from mine. Not being cocky, just my honest opinion through observation.
The only thing upside-down from an engineering point of view is the bleeders. If you take off your tire and look at the trailing arm, you will quickly see why the calipers absolutely cannot be mounted ANY other way successfully without compromising the structural integrity of the trailing arm vertical upright.
So, to be able to still hook up the e-brake cables out of the dozen or so calipers I have tried, it requires the bleeders to point down. Have you ever worked on a Volkswagen? Some of their vehicles have brakes exactly like this - bleeders pointing down. It is more than easy enough to defeat any bleeding issue - turn the caliper upside down. If you don't, you WILL NOT bleed the brakes successfully; not even with air over vacuum power brake bleeder, trust me, I tried... I put many hours into trying to make this "idiot proof", which is almost impossible LOL, but you get where I am coming from.
Nothing about this conversion is straight forward aside from putting on the brake rotors and mounting the caliper braket, that's literally it. All of this and much more is detailed in the write-up/guide. I wouldn't technically call it a write-up, as it expects you to have common sense and mechanical abilities... I guess I should have been more clear about that from the beginning. If this brake conversion was so easy, more people would be doing it themselves. I have yet to see a successful conversion aside from mine. Not being cocky, just my honest opinion through observation.
01-26-2016, 06:18 AM
#80
Fish Twig
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Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
OneBadBitch,
Makes sense that the caliper would sit that high, I do recall seeing images of when the trailing arm was naked.
Makes sense that the caliper would sit that high, I do recall seeing images of when the trailing arm was naked.
01-26-2016, 07:25 AM
#81
DO IT ON ALL FOURS
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
As you know, replied. 
Haha, I could take that a couple ways, but I will take it as a compliment. 
Here, some pictures to help you visualize why the location is where it's at. I tried multiple clocking positions, I promise.
Here, some pictures to help you visualize why the location is where it's at. I tried multiple clocking positions, I promise.
01-28-2016, 07:03 AM
#83
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Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
What are the cliff notes here? Is there a kit now I can buy for my gen 1 98 CRV and relatively easily convert my rear drums to disc? Or is this very intensive...haha. I have the mechanical ability...just don't want to go spending hours of my time on a car with almost 300,000 miles!
01-28-2016, 08:20 AM
#86
DO IT ON ALL FOURS
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
Is there a kit now I can buy for my gen 1 98 CRV
Yes.
and relatively easily convert my rear drums to disc? Or is this very intensive...haha.
This is subjective. To me, this swap is a walk in the park. For others I have been speaking to, it's the most involved thing they have ever seen done to a vehicle when it's far from that IMO.
I have the mechanical ability...just don't want to go spending hours of my time on a car with almost 300,000 miles!
Then I highly suggest you don't do the conversion. This was never meant for your average CRV Owner... it's more for the performance oriented, but in the end it's your call to make obviously. There isn't a ginormous advantage to be had aside from easier brake maintenance, but drum brakes on Hondas are as simple as they get to begin with. It's not like testing has been done to be able to make any claims of performance gains.
Yes.
and relatively easily convert my rear drums to disc? Or is this very intensive...haha.
This is subjective. To me, this swap is a walk in the park. For others I have been speaking to, it's the most involved thing they have ever seen done to a vehicle when it's far from that IMO.
I have the mechanical ability...just don't want to go spending hours of my time on a car with almost 300,000 miles!
Then I highly suggest you don't do the conversion. This was never meant for your average CRV Owner... it's more for the performance oriented, but in the end it's your call to make obviously. There isn't a ginormous advantage to be had aside from easier brake maintenance, but drum brakes on Hondas are as simple as they get to begin with. It's not like testing has been done to be able to make any claims of performance gains.
I have been spending WAAY too much time answering questions and will be posting the guide on here by the end of this weekend, stay tuned!
PS - If you want to know more, PM me or preferably wait until the guide comes out.
01-28-2016, 08:32 AM
#87
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Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
Thanks for the quick reply. Yea, I'll probably not go this route. I'm in the process of basically rebuilding this CRV...this weekend I'm throwing on a new exhaust, new driveshaft, timing belt, aux belts, wiper motor and blades and new front LCA's/bushings/hardware. I was going to replace the rear drums and arms soon and thought while I was in there, I might take a look at what you've done and buy the kit. But at this point, I don't think it's worth the hassle.
01-30-2016, 05:51 PM
#89
DO IT ON ALL FOURS
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
As promised! 
Please be attentive to my requests in the thread below.
https://honda-tech.com/honda-element...guide-3269289/
.
Please be attentive to my requests in the thread below.https://honda-tech.com/honda-element...guide-3269289/
.
02-02-2016, 02:49 PM
#90
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Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
As promised! Please be attentive to my requests in the thread below.
https://honda-tech.com/honda-element...guide-3269289/
interested buyer here whats the price point looking like and what calipers need to be sourced? PM is fine i couldnt figure out just yet how to send one from my mobile browser
.
Please be attentive to my requests in the thread below.https://honda-tech.com/honda-element...guide-3269289/
interested buyer here whats the price point looking like and what calipers need to be sourced? PM is fine i couldnt figure out just yet how to send one from my mobile browser
.
03-09-2019, 08:49 AM
#92
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Re: Pictures
I am super interested in this item. Are they still available? I am on orders to go over seas in a few months and would love to have this accomplished before I leave. I appreciate any and all help with this matter. Thanks and have a great day.
As I keep getting requests for them, here are pictures of the completed conversion from a few months ago. As you can see, full brake pad engagement as it should be. No BS misalignment issues and the E-brakes are fully functional. I assure you this kit has been put through the paces. I do apologize for the dirty parts, but in these pictures the kit has at least 1,000 miles on it.
Attachment 436347
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Attachment 436347
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06-07-2020, 06:00 AM
#93
Honda-Tech Member
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
Chances are that the @OneBadTurboCRV no longer is active on the board, but hey still gonna revive this old thread.
i would love to get my hands on one of these kits, as I just bought an awd manual orthia that I plan to track, and that could really use a rear disc setup.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
either the manufacturer, a existing kit, or a cad file to produce one myself?
i would love to get my hands on one of these kits, as I just bought an awd manual orthia that I plan to track, and that could really use a rear disc setup.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
either the manufacturer, a existing kit, or a cad file to produce one myself?
10-04-2020, 12:55 PM
#94
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
Posting up info from what I have found so far. I am in the process of doing a rear disc on my buddies 1997 crv. Raymond chan on facebook makes the rear lines needed for the swap. Greg rawls makes the conversion brackets needed to convert to calipers. You need 1997 accord e brake lines and 1997 prelude calipers, rotors and pads for the conversion.
10-04-2020, 01:51 PM
#95
Honda-Tech Member
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
Posting up info from what I have found so far. I am in the process of doing a rear disc on my buddies 1997 crv. Raymond chan on facebook makes the rear lines needed for the swap. Greg rawls makes the conversion brackets needed to convert to calipers. You need 1997 accord e brake lines and 1997 prelude calipers, rotors and pads for the conversion.
10-04-2020, 04:45 PM
#97
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
It mounts the calipers upside down from what I am seeing so you have to bleed the brakes off the rotor which will be difficult. I am currently gathering parts to do this and will post the results for interested people. you use the stock rear arms and carefully cut off the drum back plating before mounting the brackets and rotors
10-05-2020, 06:40 AM
#98
Honda-Tech Member
Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
It mounts the calipers upside down from what I am seeing so you have to bleed the brakes off the rotor which will be difficult. I am currently gathering parts to do this and will post the results for interested people. you use the stock rear arms and carefully cut off the drum back plating before mounting the brackets and rotors
I was looking at s1built trailing arms as an option aswell. Just the cost is pretty high.
10-22-2020, 07:26 AM
#99
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Re: disc brake conversion on 1st gen crv?
Posting up info from what I have found so far. I am in the process of doing a rear disc on my buddies 1997 crv. Raymond chan on facebook makes the rear lines needed for the swap. Greg rawls makes the conversion brackets needed to convert to calipers. You need 1997 accord e brake lines and 1997 prelude calipers, rotors and pads for the conversion.
hey, new here, but have been following this thread for a while.
im about to drop my 99 crv to the shop in the coming month or so and we want to start this conversion...but i need direct links to those people who make the parts we need. can you assist? thanks!
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