300zx Caliper options

[echonightsi]

So I need new calipers as the wheels I got just barely don't clear the fronts, but clear the rears just fine. The question is, is there a slimmer profile caliper available for the z32 or am I hosed?

[itsa300zx]

lol, you don't need new calipers, you need new wheels. If you are dead set on those wheels; I hate to say it but maybe use spacers.

[Ace2cool]

Lol, most people want bigger calipers. No, they don't make slimmer profile calipers.

[NolimitZ32]

^ what they said.

[echonightsi]

I figured, I was just seeing if some company had just come out with the new greatest thing, slim line brake calipers. IT is 2018. Damn Nissan for making the front brakes the same size as brembos.

[NolimitZ32]

The front brakes on the Z32 are actually VERY good, at least the calipers, the weak point of the Z32 brakes are the tiny rotors. There are a number of BBKs that utilize the factory calipers with relocation brackets and larger rotors.
Just out of curiosity, what wheels did you get? I'm running a set of Steedas and had to use spacers to get the wheels to fit over the brakes so it's not unheard of.

[echonightsi]

The front brakes on the Z32 are actually VERY good, at least the calipers, the weak point of the Z32 brakes are the tiny rotors. There are a number of BBKs that utilize the factory calipers with relocation brackets and larger rotors.
Just out of curiosity, what wheels did you get? I'm running a set of Steedas and had to use spacers to get the wheels to fit over the brakes so it's not unheard of.

Sorry for the late reply the wheels are Work Meister cr01

[NolimitZ32]

Ahh, yeah I'd definitely want to hold on to something like that. We have a member with those on a Z32, don't remember who so you may have to search some of the wheel whoring threads. All that said, you may have the wrong offset.

[Woodnutz78]

Related to this... On my Z that I got a couple of months ago, the owner stated that it has Skyline front brakes. Apparently, the factory Z32 rotors were prone to warping? As such, his mech at the time recommended changing them over. Anyone familiar with this? Specifically what pads/rotors will be required when the time comes? The calipers are VERY close to the stock wheels, and some grinding on the calipers is evident (tiny bit). I would attach a picture, but this forum noob can't seem to find how to do that edit: okay, I see how to do pictures, just have to set it up (facepalm for not looking for that to begin with).

[NolimitZ32]

Do some searching, essentially some R32 brakes and Z32 brakes are the same (at least on the front), there are two thicknesses 28mm and 30mm IIRC. These changed to the thicker ones on the Z32 in the beginning of the production run. That should be enough to get you started. check the "Everything you need to know about your Z32" thread stickied in Z32 General.

[itsa300zx]

Related to this... On my Z that I got a couple of months ago, the owner stated that it has Skyline front brakes. Apparently, the factory Z32 rotors were prone to warping? As such, his mech at the time recommended changing them over. Anyone familiar with this? Specifically what pads/rotors will be required when the time comes? The calipers are VERY close to the stock wheels, and some grinding on the calipers is evident (tiny bit). I would attach a picture, but this forum noob can't seem to find how to do that edit: okay, I see how to do pictures, just have to set it up (facepalm for not looking for that to begin with).

Assuming they are not the V-spec brakes from the Skyline (R32);
The rotors are slightly larger dia. 296mm vs 280mm for the Z32 and thicker 32mm vs 30mm (or 26mm for 90 NA)
Brake pads are the same for both.

[Woodnutz78]

Trying this again... If it shows up, here is the close clearance I was mentioning for the Skyline brakes on my '91:

[NolimitZ32]

It's showing exactly what the URL shows, try creating a tinyURL or hosting elsewhere.

[DCaff300ZX]

Related to this... On my Z that I got a couple of months ago, the owner stated that it has Skyline front brakes. Apparently, the factory Z32 rotors were prone to warping? As such, his mech at the time recommended changing them over. Anyone familiar with this? Specifically what pads/rotors will be required when the time comes? The calipers are VERY close to the stock wheels, and some grinding on the calipers is evident (tiny bit). I would attach a picture, but this forum noob can't seem to find how to do that edit: okay, I see how to do pictures, just have to set it up (facepalm for not looking for that to begin with).

Sorry I missed this...I run R32 front brakes as well.
As mentioned the shoes are the same, and the specs are close but the R32 units need 17" wheels minimum to clear the calipers without grinding and an unsafe clearance situation.
Keep in mind that all Nissan Z32's also have a runout issue with the front hubs, which causes the brakes to start failing early due to inconsistent contact with the rotor due to the runout. Mine currently has hit that stage, the solution is to have the rotors turned ON the hub which can be done.

[Woodnutz78]

It's showing exactly what the URL shows, try creating a tinyURL or hosting elsewhere.

So you don't see the image? I see it, but maybe it's working since I'm on my machine that's logged into Google. I'll have to host images somewhere else.

...ultimately, I'm trying to find out what rotors I'll need to buy when the time comes. As far as I can tell so far, everyone has responded stating the pads are the same. I've got to build my own technical reference as I work through everything on this car. Fortunately, this thing is mostly stock, with the original owner only changing the brakes and putting on SZ (Sebring Tuning) mufflers.

Thanks for the help, guys!

[NolimitZ32]

Googledrive is not a site that you can embed from, you have to use imgur or something of the sort. As for your rotors I would recommend you read the "Everything you need to know thread" and check out the offerings from the vendors. Best bang for your buck is to go with the 3000GT, Cobra, or Z33 rotor upgrade and spacing brackets (these both require a larger than stock wheel). The stock calipers are light-years ahead of the rest of the braking system and don't need to be changed.

[Woodnutz78]

Okay - I'm going to give this a try with Imgur. Looks like there's a number of options for linking. Again, thanks guys for bearing with me. I feel like those old people on the Xfinity commercials asking their grandson to do their tech work - I'm the grandson, dammit!


FYI, I'm not looking to ditch the stock wheels just yet. I have a significant to-do list of maintenance items/deletes to get through first. That will take some time, and I want to get that knocked out as much as possible before I look to something like wheels. It should be a busy winter - PA winters are much less RWD-friendly than H-town winters (although I do recall a couple of ice days off in high school waaaay back in '97). Boost jets and a tune will also precede new kicks.

[NolimitZ32]

That's mighty close, I don;t remember what mine looked like because it's been years since I've had factory wheels. Getting wheels to fit on the front of the Z32 is a chore all in itself because of the fat calipers, I had to study for months and ended up having to install 15mm spacers with extended lugs on the front to make my steeda pentars fit with all stock brakes.

[Ace2cool]

That actually looks almost the same as my factory setup. May even have a little more clearance. The factory setup is stupid close to the wheels.