Suspension R53 upgrades
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 8
From: LaLa land
R53 upgrades
Hi all,
I am about to pull the plug on an GP type aluminum swing arm conversion and a full JCW brake package off a R56. My question is what parts if any will change over?
I think I probably need new ABS sensors and pad sensors. Do I need to "spec out" R56 sensors to match the brakes? will they plug into the hubs and chassis?
Do I use R56 "dust shields" to match the larger rotors? Do they onto the R53 hard points?
Anything else recommended? Are any of the used bits suitable or am I better off with every thing new in bags?
I am about to pull the plug on an GP type aluminum swing arm conversion and a full JCW brake package off a R56. My question is what parts if any will change over?
I think I probably need new ABS sensors and pad sensors. Do I need to "spec out" R56 sensors to match the brakes? will they plug into the hubs and chassis?
Do I use R56 "dust shields" to match the larger rotors? Do they onto the R53 hard points?
Anything else recommended? Are any of the used bits suitable or am I better off with every thing new in bags?
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 70
From: Silicon Valley
Some people have used the R56 speed sensors (because they came with the trailing arms) but it isn't necessary. The R53 sensors are smaller in diameter, but the same length. You can use a short length (maybe 1") of plastic tubing with a similar ID as your R53 sensors, that fits in the aluminum trailing arms to take up a bit of space. A dab of silicone gasket material keeps that tubing from wandering. It was recommended by others, and worked for me (otherwise your R53 sensors are floating in a large hole with a single screw attachment). Hopefully you got all the attaching hardware that screws into (or through) your new aluminum arms, and also the swaybar droplinks. All are different length, and getting the hardware with the arms will cost almost nothing, compared to buying it piece-by-piece. If you are going to use your existing R53 rear calipers, everything bolts-up, including your hubs (with the new bolts). I didn't bother with the pad sensors, because I was using pads that didn't have the notch for them. One thing you will need is the adapter washers for your R53 rear shocks: https://www.waymotorworks.com/r56-re...ngs-or-gp.html Don't even think about using the R53 bolt for this lower shock mount, because it's designed to cut its own threads in the steel trailing arms, and it is very easy to "bugger" the threads in the aluminum arms even with the correct R56 bolts 
. Use blue Loctite (anti-galling), and thread bolts in with your fingers before you even think about using a socket.
It is possible but difficult to use the R56 rear brakes. They bolt up to your trailing arms just fine, but you will also need to convert to the R56 emergency brake cables which is a pain. (The only benefit to R56 calipers in the rear is faster pad changes if you are swapping pads for track days.)
You may find this NAM thread useful. It starts with switching to the "numbers correct" GP trailing arms. With the exception of the lower shock mounting (R53 type), they are very similar to the R56 arms that you are installing: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-it-take.html
Later posts in the thread are doing it with the R56 arms you are using.
I believe the R56 shields fit the hard points in front. Might have had to elongate a hole to bolt them up, but it's been a while since I did it, and have since switched to Wilwood calipers & rotors up front, without any dust shields.
Note: You will also need R56 front brake lines, to mate-up with your calipers. (Way Motors will sell you a set of braided stainless lines that mix R56F & R53R.)
. Use blue Loctite (anti-galling), and thread bolts in with your fingers before you even think about using a socket.It is possible but difficult to use the R56 rear brakes. They bolt up to your trailing arms just fine, but you will also need to convert to the R56 emergency brake cables which is a pain. (The only benefit to R56 calipers in the rear is faster pad changes if you are swapping pads for track days.)
You may find this NAM thread useful. It starts with switching to the "numbers correct" GP trailing arms. With the exception of the lower shock mounting (R53 type), they are very similar to the R56 arms that you are installing: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-it-take.html
Later posts in the thread are doing it with the R56 arms you are using.
I believe the R56 shields fit the hard points in front. Might have had to elongate a hole to bolt them up, but it's been a while since I did it, and have since switched to Wilwood calipers & rotors up front, without any dust shields.
Note: You will also need R56 front brake lines, to mate-up with your calipers. (Way Motors will sell you a set of braided stainless lines that mix R56F & R53R.)
Last edited by Mini_Crazy; Nov 16, 2019 at 07:26 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 795
Likes: 122
From: SoCal
Mini_Crazy -
Did I ready your above note correctly, that the R53 rear calipers can be, properly attached to the R56 arms ?
I've been thinking of doing this swap also, but don't really want the larger rear calipers (I do have them now). My 05 has the larger front brake assembly, with the small (stock) rear parts. I seem to feel the car working just fine with the graking that it currently has. It seems there isn't a lot of need for the larger, heavier rear brakes.
Though I have not done any racing with it as of now. Plans for that next summer...
Mike
Did I ready your above note correctly, that the R53 rear calipers can be, properly attached to the R56 arms ?
I've been thinking of doing this swap also, but don't really want the larger rear calipers (I do have them now). My 05 has the larger front brake assembly, with the small (stock) rear parts. I seem to feel the car working just fine with the graking that it currently has. It seems there isn't a lot of need for the larger, heavier rear brakes.
Though I have not done any racing with it as of now. Plans for that next summer...
Mike
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 296
Likes: 35
From: Bayfield, Ontario
Best bet is to just use the R53 rear brake setup and forget it...use the R53 wheel bearing as well or you will have 2 different size wheel bolts 12/14mm.
Size of rear brakes isn't important. I've been running this setup on my full race 2003 for 4 years and still running the same rear brake pads (still 1/2 of the pad life left). Rear brakes do little work at the track maybe 10% of braking...basically they just keep the rear from coming around. But I also run a very large front set of brakes!!!
Size of rear brakes isn't important. I've been running this setup on my full race 2003 for 4 years and still running the same rear brake pads (still 1/2 of the pad life left). Rear brakes do little work at the track maybe 10% of braking...basically they just keep the rear from coming around. But I also run a very large front set of brakes!!!
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 70
From: Silicon Valley
Mini_Crazy -
Did I ready your above note correctly, that the R53 rear calipers can be, properly attached to the R56 arms ?
I've been thinking of doing this swap also, but don't really want the larger rear calipers (I do have them now). My 05 has the larger front brake assembly, with the small (stock) rear parts. I seem to feel the car working just fine with the braking that it currently has. It seems there isn't a lot of need for the larger, heavier rear brakes.
Though I have not done any racing with it as of now. Plans for that next summer...Mike
Did I ready your above note correctly, that the R53 rear calipers can be, properly attached to the R56 arms ?
I've been thinking of doing this swap also, but don't really want the larger rear calipers (I do have them now). My 05 has the larger front brake assembly, with the small (stock) rear parts. I seem to feel the car working just fine with the braking that it currently has. It seems there isn't a lot of need for the larger, heavier rear brakes.
Though I have not done any racing with it as of now. Plans for that next summer...Mike
My comment about desirability for regular track-day use is simply about the speed of changing pads, because with the R56 calipers you can pop-off the the pad retaining clip and change pads (if they are similar thickness), while on the R53 calipers the emergency brake mechanism is in the way. If you are regularly switching between un-streetable track pads and your street pads, this is useful. (Under maximum braking, 90% of the braking is being done by the fronts, so they are the ones doing all the work, and street pads are adequate for the rears.)
.
We have a complete kit to convert to the R56 trailing arms as you need all the little parts, and we include the R56 speed sensors as they are a direct install
https://www.waymotorworks.com/alumin...rsion-kit.html
You can just keep using the stock R53 rear brakes, but many do upgrade to the R56 rear JCW brakes just to have them bigger to fill in the wheels.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/alumin...rsion-kit.html
You can just keep using the stock R53 rear brakes, but many do upgrade to the R56 rear JCW brakes just to have them bigger to fill in the wheels.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 8
From: LaLa land
Some people have used the R56 speed sensors (because they came with the trailing arms) but it isn't necessary. The R53 sensors are smaller in diameter, but the same length. You can use a short length (maybe 1") of plastic tubing with a similar ID as your R53 sensors, that fits in the aluminum trailing arms to take up a bit of space. A dab of silicone gasket material keeps that tubing from wandering. It was recommended by others, and worked for me (otherwise your R53 sensors are floating in a large hole with a single screw attachment). Hopefully you got all the attaching hardware that screws into (or through) your new aluminum arms, and also the swaybar droplinks. All are different length, and getting the hardware with the arms will cost almost nothing, compared to buying it piece-by-piece. If you are going to use your existing R53 rear calipers, everything bolts-up, including your hubs (with the new bolts). I didn't bother with the pad sensors, because I was using pads that didn't have the notch for them. One thing you will need is the adapter washers for your R53 rear shocks: https://www.waymotorworks.com/r56-re...ngs-or-gp.html Don't even think about using the R53 bolt for this lower shock mount, because it's designed to cut its own threads in the steel trailing arms, and it is very easy to "bugger" the threads in the aluminum arms even with the correct R56 bolts . Use blue Loctite (anti-galling), and thread bolts in with your fingers before you even think about using a socket.
It is possible but difficult to use the R56 rear brakes. They bolt up to your trailing arms just fine, but you will also need to convert to the R56 emergency brake cables which is a pain. (The only benefit to R56 calipers in the rear is faster pad changes if you are swapping pads for track days.)
You may find this NAM thread useful. It starts with switching to the "numbers correct" GP trailing arms. With the exception of the lower shock mounting (R53 type), they are very similar to the R56 arms that you are installing: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-it-take.html
Later posts in the thread are doing it with the R56 arms you are using.
I believe the R56 shields fit the hard points in front. Might have had to elongate a hole to bolt them up, but it's been a while since I did it, and have since switched to Wilwood calipers & rotors up front, without any dust shields.
Note: You will also need R56 front brake lines, to mate-up with your calipers. (Way Motors will sell you a set of braided stainless lines that mix R56F & R53R.)
. Use blue Loctite (anti-galling), and thread bolts in with your fingers before you even think about using a socket.It is possible but difficult to use the R56 rear brakes. They bolt up to your trailing arms just fine, but you will also need to convert to the R56 emergency brake cables which is a pain. (The only benefit to R56 calipers in the rear is faster pad changes if you are swapping pads for track days.)
You may find this NAM thread useful. It starts with switching to the "numbers correct" GP trailing arms. With the exception of the lower shock mounting (R53 type), they are very similar to the R56 arms that you are installing: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-it-take.html
Later posts in the thread are doing it with the R56 arms you are using.
I believe the R56 shields fit the hard points in front. Might have had to elongate a hole to bolt them up, but it's been a while since I did it, and have since switched to Wilwood calipers & rotors up front, without any dust shields.
Note: You will also need R56 front brake lines, to mate-up with your calipers. (Way Motors will sell you a set of braided stainless lines that mix R56F & R53R.)
I think I will not install dust shields.
Am I wrong in thinking the R56 calipers will bolt up to my existing hubs?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 261
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From: Silicon Valley
Way... you want to chime-in here?
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 8
From: LaLa land
Hoping to bolt up R56 rotors and Calipers to R53 hubs... :/
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