Disc Brake Swap from 97 LS to 96 EK coupe, few questions.

[TheProfiteer]

Ok I know that if do a suspension and brake conversion on my 96 EK coupe from my Integra I have to change this one part, I do not know what its called but it looks like a brake fluid hub, its right there on the firewall left and down from the master cylinder.

Here is the situation, the civic "hub" has 5 brake line connection while the integra has only 4 and they are also shaped diffrently.

If I want to properly utilize the four wheel disc brake swap I know I need to change that one part.

But since these two hubs are not compatible, where do I get the right one?

I am thinking I need the fluid 'hub' from a 99-00 Si, but I am not sure.

does the Si have four wheel disc brakes? And is that hubed shaped the same as it would be on a 96 ex coupe?

Ok so I found out that that thing is called "proportioning valve"

so which one do I need to get to make my disc brake conversion operate at optimal capacity?

[d16_turbo]

you dont have to use and integra proportioning valve. i did a rear disc conversion on my civic and didnt use one and the brakes work just fine

[TheProfiteer]

I have felt the braking difference between a swaped civic and say an integra, its not the same.

To get the full advantage you need to have the right amount of pressure in your brake lines.

some people tell me you have to change the mastery cylinder along with the brake booster others tell me you just have to change the proportioning valve.

[bafbrian]

You don't have to change anything with the stock brake system. I did the rear disk conversion about a month ago and didn't change anything on the brake system.

[TheProfiteer]

now are you sure you using your disc bake swap to its full potential?

[bafbrian]

now are you sure you using your disc bake swap to its full potential?

100%

Just be sure to put the shims on the pads. I forgot to do it when I initially converted the brakes and it definitely showed that the pads were only touching the disc slightly. Once I installed the shims, the pads were making contact with the disc perfectly.

I have noticed a substanial (sp?) increase in braking. My stopping distance has decreased dramtically.

[d16_turbo]

now are you sure you using your disc bake swap to its full potential?

my car stops so yes

[SRCRX]

I have the same set up, I Just have not put them on, does anything have to change
W/E-brake cables??

[bafbrian]

You are gonna use the use the e-brake cable from the discs. It should all be one intertwined setup.

The e-brake cable will be a bitch to undo and then reconnect. Everything bolts up perfectly bcuz of Honda and Acura being very interchangeable.

[SRCRX]

Damm I'm not sure if I was given the calbes from the Discs??

You are gonna use the use the e-brake cable from the discs. It should all be one intertwined setup.

The e-brake cable will be a bitch to undo and then reconnect. Everything bolts up perfectly bcuz of Honda and Acura being very interchangeable.

[bafbrian]

Damm I'm not sure if I was given the calbes from the Discs??

They should a part of the brake system. Long cables with a "soda can" at the end of them.

If not, just hit a junkyard and get some from any Integra from 94-01 and they will work.

[ash7]

100%


I have noticed a substantial (sp?) increase in braking. My stopping distance has decreased dramatically.

And it'll improve some more when you try changing out the proportioning valve... you'll be impressed with the difference that is made when your rear brakes are actually fully engaged.

I've performed this conversion on many civics, the first one was without the proper valve; and i changed it out on a bet with my friend one day...

...i lost the bet

we did a before and after test by slamming on the brakes @ 40mph and drawing a chalk line at the front tire. The proportioning valve decreased the distance by 8.5ft @ 40mph.

But suit yourself
-jonathan

[TheProfiteer]

cool, do I just need to change the proportioning valve, or the master cylinder too? If its just the P-valve, and I have a 96 ex, I have to use one from an si right?

[SRCRX]

They should a part of the brake system. Long cables with a "soda can" at the end of them.

If not, just hit a junkyard and get some from any Integra from 94-01 and they will work.

Thanks!!

Plus 1

[ash7]

cool, do I just need to change the proportioning valve, or the master cylinder too? If its just the P-valve, and I have a 96 ex, I have to use one from an si right?

all you would need to do is change out the valve. If your EX came with rear drums, then you need to change it out with one off of a DC, EGsi, EJsi, or DA.

your original master cylinder will perform just fine.

...when do do this, bleed the living daylights out of the brakes after you're done.

-jonathan

[TheProfiteer]

but just to be 100% sure I need the P-valve from an Si right?

[ash7]

or any DC or DA

[TheProfiteer]

DC P-valve is incompatible! Ill post some pictures, but its like the DC has four brake lines running through it while the EK has 6

[bafbrian]

The prop valve on there will do the job just fine. I did this conversion about 2 months ago, it is not necessary to do this.

[ash7]

DC P-valve is incompatible! Ill post some pictures, but its like the DC has four brake lines running through it while the EK has 6

The cars with 4-channel ABS (96-00 Civic, 97 ITR & 98+ integra) do have an external proportioning valve, but it's specifically for the ABS system with only 4-ports (non ABS has 6 ports). You wouldn't have to change it out, and ABS should function like normal provided your rear discs have ABS hubs as well...

The prop valve on there will do the job just fine. I did this conversion about 2 months ago, it is not necessary to do this.

it will function, you're right.

*BUT*

put your car on the track at an HDPE event, you'll change your mind when you want all the extra brakes you can get.

let me put all of this to rest once and for all:
Proportioning valves were designed to help balance braking pressure on cars with front disk/rear drum brakes. Inertia and momentum cause weight to shift to the front of a vehicle when braking, in turn causing the rear axle to lift from the road lowering the traction between tires and road.

Disk brakes require higher hydraulic pressure than drums do because drums use a mechanical servo action to increase force applied to the brakes.

When the brakes are first applied under light/normal braking, the valve does NOTHING. Fluid enters the valve at the smaller piston area and passes straight through. Only when you apply significant braking force, it achieves pressure at the outlet side of the valve exerting greater backpressure than inlet pressure moving the piston back towards the inlet side against spring pressure, thus closing the center valve stem and blocking pressure to the outlet. This pressure is called the split point. As pressure increases from the master cylinder, inlet pressure at the proportioning valve overcomes the pressure at the large end of the piston and reopens the valve. Brake fluid then flows through the center of the valve, pressure rises at the outlet, and it closes again. THIS OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES PER SECOND.

It allows pressure to increase to the rear brakes, but at a lower rate than pressure to the front.

Proportioning valves are rated in a ratio like this: after the split point, pressure to the rear brakes will rise proportionally to the front brakes. If you were to get a valve rated at 100/200 (0.50) for every two PSI of hydraulic pressure at the front you will achieve 1 at the rear.

The ideal braking proportion for the Honda chassis we're talking about is 4040.

-jonathan

[TheProfiteer]

My 1996 Honda civic EX has a 6valve non-abs proportioning valve.
I am doing a complete acura integra suspension and brake conversion, whos proportioning valve is the 4vlalve abs-friendly version.

could some one please tell me ----WHICH---- proportioning valve i am going to need to make the swap worthwhile.

ITS ALOT of work putting the suspension system on your car in your front yard
IT is NOT worth it if you do not change the proportioning valve because you will not be getting that significant of a braking power increase.

So some one PLEASE tell me which proportioning valve should I use if I have a 1996 NON-ABS honda Civic EX

[ash7]

90-93 integra (non abs)

94-96 integra rs

[TheProfiteer]

reps given