Z32 front Brake Upgrade question

[Danrc30]

Well, one of my front calipers is screwed, so I guess it's time to upgrade the front brakes to the Z32 calipers. What parts are needed to do this swap?

[adrianfromthecastle]

Well, one of my front calipers is screwed, so I guess it's time to upgrade the front brakes to the Z32 calipers. What parts are needed to do this swap?

just an fyi, its really recommended to do the whole swap and not just the fronts (i.e. brake master cylinder, brake booster, front and rear brakes, etc).

[Danrc30]

YIKES!!! Maybe I should just swap the caliper then... :-/

[adrianfromthecastle]

YIKES!!! Maybe I should just swap the caliper then... :-/

if you want to do just a front brake upgrade without having to do the rest, I'd recommend doing a Q45 brake upgrade.

all you need:-calipers-rotors-pads-stainless steel lines

its a direct bolt on, and with the s.s. lines, you'll really feel a difference, plus the braking bias isn't off by that much.

[Danrc30]

That sounds better. Is it a big difference in braking ability? How does it compare to the Z's brakes? What does this usually cost?

[adrianfromthecastle]

That sounds better. Is it a big difference in braking ability? How does it compare to the Z's brakes? What does this usually cost?

its obviously not gonna be as effective as z brakes.

Z's have thicker rotors, 4 pistons, and 26+mm calipers... Q's on the other hand, not as thick rotors as Z's (but thicker than 240sx rotors), calipers aren't as thick as Z's (but then again, you won't have to worry about wheel clearance like Z's), however, Q brakes are 2 piston (240sx is only 1)... but its a pretty great and more subtle bolt-on upgrade for the 240s. More often, a lot of people say that Z brakes are overkill for a 240, especially if its not a track car.

Q brakes

compared to:

Z brakes

and I've seen them sell used on the classifieds for like $100-150 depending on who and condition. SS lines are usually like $90 brand new. I got mine from the junk yard for like $60 (calipers & rotors) hehe

[Danrc30]

Nice details! What about average cost?

[adrianfromthecastle]

Nice details! What about average cost?

and I've seen them sell used on the classifieds for like $100-150 depending on who and condition. SS lines are usually like $90 brand new. I got mine from the junk yard for like $60 (calipers & rotors) hehe

I edited my original post

[Danrc30]

Nice.

Are the braided lines necessary? I'm not racing... just figured I'd upgrade since a caliper is shot anyway...

What years will work from the Infiniti?
Modified by Danrc30 at 4:40 PM 5/5/2008

[adrianfromthecastle]

iirc, I think its just the F50's (1990-1996).

I don't know for sure if you can run the stock lines or not... everyone I've ever known with q brakes already had ss lines.

btw, theres no "Y" in Infiniti haha

[Danrc30]

D'oh! That's what I get for doing 10 different things at once!

I'm an engineer so by default I go to the "y" and not the "i"

Ok, so I need to go shopping for 90-96. No idea what F50 means if you're not speaking Ferarri. I assume it's like S13,14 and so on for the 240SX; instead its for the Infiniti with an i.

Anywho... anyone know of a kit like this for sale somewhere?

[Danrc30]

OH SNAP! Do I need to have a 5-lug conversion? I'm running 4-lugs right now...

[adrianfromthecastle]

OH SNAP! Do I need to have a 5-lug conversion? I'm running 4-lugs right now...

no, if you can find a machine shop to redrill (or do it yourself), just redrill the rotors to 4 lug.

FRsport.com has the whole complete kit, but imo, its over priced (well, cuz its a brand new set-up).

If I were you, I'd just go to your local junk yard and pull it yourself... like over here in socal at the pick-a-parts, I'd just wait for half off sales.

[Danrc30]

I don't know of any shops that know how to re-drill rotors... people are lame out here on the east coast...

[adrianfromthecastle]

I don't know of any shops that know how to re-drill rotors... people are lame out here on the east coast...

well.. if you think you're saavy enough... try it yourself, lol. Just make your own template or something. Thats what my buddy did... seemed fine for him.

[Danrc30]

well.. if you think you're saavy enough... try it yourself, lol. Just make your own template or something. Thats what my buddy did... seemed fine for him.

"Savvy"

TOUCHE PUSSYCAT!!!

[idahotuner]

awe no wonder only Adrian is answering your questions man you didnt post in the 240 general section.

for the Z32 brakes i am pretty sure the stock booster will work you just need the BMC. the q45 brakes will work fine for your application though man.

[iitywygms]

I don't know of any shops that know how to re-drill rotors... people are lame out here on the east coast...

I did mine myself. You only have to drill 3 holes on the rotors. Lay the new rotor on top of your old one, face to face, so one lug hole will line up on each rotor. Use a bolt and nut to hold them together, drill the other three holes. Having them bolted together tight and the center lined up perfectly makes drilling the other 3 holes easy.

[Danrc30]

As long as they are hubcentric, that should work.

[lebe32]

its obviously not gonna be as effective as z brakes.

Z's have thicker rotors, 4 pistons, and 26+mm calipers... Q's on the other hand, not as thick rotors as Z's (but thicker than 240sx rotors), calipers aren't as thick as Z's (but then again, you won't have to worry about wheel clearance like Z's), however, Q brakes are 2 piston (240sx is only 1)... but its a pretty great and more subtle bolt-on upgrade for the 240s. More often, a lot of people say that Z brakes are overkill for a 240, especially if its not a track car.

Q brakes

compared to:

Z brakes

and I've seen them sell used on the classifieds for like $100-150 depending on who and condition. SS lines are usually like $90 brand new. I got mine from the junk yard for like $60 (calipers & rotors) hehe

what year off q45 and what year of z32 brakes caliper is good for my 1996 240sx se model??and do i have to upgrade the rotors too??

[Danrc30]

I decided to go the Q45 route. The price and performance gain just makes sense. The rotors were under $100 shipped! See the results below.


Modified by Danrc30 at 11:10 AM 5/17/2008

[addictedtosin]

Hey where did you get those rotors?

[Danrc30]

Ebay. They were dirt cheap and so far so great!

[gumby74]

Ebay. They were dirt cheap and so far so great!

I picked up a set of rotors off EBay a couple of years ago myself. Dirt cheap, AND they were zinc washed so the non-wear surfaces are rust free and shiny. I just recently replaced those with stock blanks from the parts store, and 2 weeks later all 4 hubs have a nice thick layer of surface rust. It's really pissing me off. Premium rotors my ***.

[Crazyirish]

I notice FRSport.com's kit has Hawk HPS Pads as an option but Hawk's own website only lists the rears for the q. Any idea whats up?