Simple (almost) all Mazda Front Big Brake Upgrade

[300zxrb26dett]

well I was actually referring to the overall diameter of the hub itself was different and caused the problem, and not the hub pilot or "center bore". that part was ok.

[daryl]

Check this out:

http://www.uk-mx3.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... c&start=90" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[marcdh]

It's alright for us UK folk Daryll, they don't get the 323fs so no spindles over there I did a guide up focussing on davOr's guide to millenia 2pots, just adds some more info and pics really 2 pot guide. Full credit to davOr though, just trying to make it easier for mx3ers.

[wytbishop]

well I was actually referring to the overall diameter of the hub itself was different and caused the problem, and not the hub pilot or "center bore". that part was ok.

Ahhh...I see what you mean. I will have to test fit to be sure but I think the Kia hubs are quite small. If it is true that the MPV spindle did actually slide right onto the 323 like the guy from Quebec says it did then I think there's no reason why this shouldn't work.

Marc, I am going to make the brackets for the Wilwood calipers adjustable so that with a radial mount caliper you can basically add a spacer to use it with a range of rotor sizes.

[300zxrb26dett]

I hope this works, it would be nice to finally have an upgrade option that did not involve a machine shop, or new large wheels.

[wytbishop]

Referece sites...just so I don't lose the links.

Brembo catalogue (has a "search by dimension" function that is really helpful): http://www.brembo.com/ENG/catalogo_AM/2007/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mazda parts lookup: http://www.mazda-parts.com/partscat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kia parts lookup (similar to the mazda parts lookup): http://www.kiaparts.com/partscat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Driveshaftstore.com (has a lookup tool that shows dimensions and spline counts): http://www.driveshaftstore.co.uk/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and of course rockauto.com: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Daninski]

well I was actually referring to the overall diameter of the hub itself was different and caused the problem, and not the hub pilot or "center bore". that part was ok.

Quote Ahhh...I see what you mean. I will have to test fit to be sure but I think the Kia hubs are quite small. If it is true that the MPV spindle did actually slide right onto the 323

Damn I just srapped my 96 MPV. Thanks wytbishop your timing couldn't of been more crappy. lol

[wytbishop]

Applies only to 00'-04' MPV Dan so there.

Speaking of which, I just got back from inspecting the driver's side spindle of an 01' MPV and I believe it is perfect.

323F/Lantis spindle with dimensions courtesy or Marcdh


MPV spindle



It's definitely the same spindle. The tie rod end, ball joint and caliper mounts are all the same. The strut mount is the same. It's the same. According to rockauto they have different wheel bearings though but it shares a wheel bearing with the Kia Sephia which is the same spline count as us so that hub should go straight in and boom you're back to 4 lugs but now, you can mount a 2 piston brake caliper with ease.

I'm going to the pick n' pull this weekend to see if I can find them cheaper. The place I was at today wants $140 each including the calipers and stuff. Not bad but if I can find it at pnp it'll be cheaper.

[_-Night-Shade-_]

Wow it does look the same apart from the caliper mounts, which is the whole point. Which LBJ design would it have - the larger 94+ ones or the smaller 92-93 ones? If it's the same as the 323 then I'm guessing the larger ones.

[wytbishop]

It has the larger ball joint. I'm a little worried now because I'm pretty sure that the ball joint is offset about 10mm and I think also that the strut mount is thicker like the MX-6/626 one.

Have to wait and see.

[kp81]

Hey guys,

Are there any updates to this thread? I'm amazed with all the research you've done Wyt...it'll be sad to see nothing come of it!

[wytbishop]

I'm not going to let this go. I'm trying to get details from the guy on CP that says his buddy bolted the front end of an MPV straight onto his 323.

I've started modeling the whole thing in 3D. I'm hoping to get my hands on a stock MX-3 spindle this weekend and I'm working with marcdh in Ireland to get a pair of 323F spindles as well. I'm in the process of designing a system for the MX-3 which will require modification of the stock spindles and the use of a bracket which I will supply. I don't have all the details yet but it will be an 11" Mini Cooper rotor, and either the 2 piston millenia or subaru calipers or 4 piston Wilwood calipers. Modifying the stock spindles makes it easier as you don't have to worry about swapping hubs and everything will bolt right up. There's also an 11.6" Mini Cooper rotor that I might make an option for, but it will require the use of 16" or possibly 17" wheels. I'm fairly certain that the 11" rotor will fit in an 15" wheel.

The plan is to sell a kit with modified MX-3 spindles with new bearings etc and the brackets for about $400. Then you can go out and get the best price you can find on rotors and calipers.

This is still a little ways off at the moment but I am working on it.

[wytbishop]

Never managed to get any reply from the guy about the MPV swap, but I still have a plan. Here's the basics...

The mounting tabs for the stock caliper will have to be removed to do any sort of caliper upgrade. So what I'm planning to do is grind the tabs off and drill and tap the body of the steering knuckle so that an adapter can be bolted on which will provide the mounting point for the Subaru two piston caliper with MX-6 caliper bracket. That will provide a simple cheap upgrade for people who want to keep their stock wheels. To accomplish this I will either provide detailed instructions for modifying your stock spindles yourself, or I will supply modified spindles to those that want to have the work done for them for a bit more.

Option A will include the adapter and hardware. You do the grinding, drilling and tapping. You supply the calipers, caliper brackets, rotors etc. I was able to get MX-6 caliper brackets at the Pick n Pull for $30 and reman Subaru calipers loaded for >$100ea so you could do this mod for under $500 I figure.

Option B will include the adapter and hardware and modified spindles with new bearings and seals complete with hub. You still supply the calipers, caliper brackets, rotors, etc. This option will probably run you about $700 (my time + new bearings and seals).

Option C is for guys with larger than stock wheels who want to go big. I will do a similar adaptor to mount a Wilwood Powerlite caliper on an 11.6" rotor. This will fit in a 16" wheel and also look good in a 17" wheel. Calipers are about $300ish for a pair, pads are about $100 for a set, rotors will run you $150 up to $400 depending how much flash you like. Again you can grind yourself or I can grind for you for a bit more. This will be in the $800 - 1000 range depending on what rotors you buy and whether you buy spindles.

In all of these cases you will be getting most of your parts yourself. The prices I'm estimating are the total one can expect to lay out to complete the kit. From me you will either be buying an adapter kit or a kit and spindles. If you are buying spindles from me there will be a core charge and it will be significant because I will need your cores. These prices are only estimates and I'm only posting this information to try to determine if there is a good bit of interest and where that interest is concentrated.

These will be bolt on kits. Fabricated parts will be professionally engineered and manufactured.

I am also doing a bracket to bolt the wilwood caliper to the BA 323 V6 spindles from the UK, but as the availability of these is so limited I"m not going to list that option here.

So tell me your thoughts.

[300zxrb26dett]

I like option A. Would that 11.6" rotor you mention in option C be from the Mini Cooper?

[wytbishop]

It is.

I am hoping to have a set of BA V6 spindles in my hands soon. Once I do I will start modeling and I should have all these options available by the spring.