ebrake cable issues

[blind34_1]

okay i am (finally) nearing completion of my rear brake swap on the civic (90 si). everything is installed and ready to go, but i ran into a problem today while running/hooking up the ebrake cables.

I'm told when doing a rear disc swap on a fourth gen civic you must use the cables from a 90-93 integra, so thats what i'm using.
but when i attached them to the ebrake lever (the threaded rod with that big spring) it doesn't seem like they do much when i set the brake. the calipers will slightly engage, because when i go to spin the wheel by hand it scrapes a little, but not enough to hold the car.

I know the cable is pulling, because the little accordian boot (caliper end) will flex as I set and release the brake, but it just doesn't seem like enough.

by tightening down that weird long nut with the fisheyed end on the long threaded rod, it seems to help a little bit, but eventually i get to the point where the spring is completly compressed and it becomes super hard to operate the lever, so I know thats not the answer.

its still on jack stands, and i have no brake fluid in the system at all, but that shouldn't matter should it?, because the ebrake system is all mechanical, not hydraulic.

I'm stumped guys, any suggestions?