350z "Track" rotors on Q45?

[ScottJackson]

I see these adapter kits that adapt either the stock 300zx caliper or Mitsu Lancer EVO 8 calipers onto 300zx that use the 350z Track rotors. I think this would be a great upgrade for the heavy Q. The Z rotors are 12.76" diameter and 1.18" thick. Personally, I'm likely going to buy the rotors and see if I can adapt the dual piston calipers from a '77-94 F-250 truck onto them. These ford truck rotors are nearly the same dimensions as the 350z Track rotors and fit pretty tight to the rotor edge so I think they'll fit behind a 17" wheel. If I can't make that a go, I'll just get the 30mm 300zx calipers and call it good. The EVO 8 brembo calipers would be nice, but they're kinda out of budget right now for me. Does anyone think this is not a good idea? Anyone have any thoughts to add? I don't know what I'd do for the back brakes, but I think I'll get all 4 350Z rotors and make my own adapters/spacers to put the stock Q rear calipers on them.

[Q45tech]

Weigh the proposed rotors the % increase will tell you the % of temperature decrease. [say 150> 130F for a single 60 mph stop]

A 12.76" vs 11.02" will increase the torque by 15% or reduce the pedal force by 15% [40>34 pounds] assumming same volume in calipers.

Why not try a 30mm 300zx rotor on the stock 28 mm Q caliber.

Careful about expecting any gain without a significant increase in rotor weight.

[ScottJackson]

Good point. I did a rough estimate measure of the q pads vs. the ford truck pads and there's not much to gain with that. I'll just use the Q calipers. The brackets for those calipers are $200 as compared to the $100 EVO 8 caliper adapters, but they're nicer built and appear to fit 17" wheels instead of requiring the 18" or bigger of the EVO caliper. Anyone know where I could get the brackets for the Nissan caliper to fit the 350z Track series rotor for less than $200?

[elwesso]

generally people say its for looks, and the extra weight sorta compromises the braking, so your not really decreasing the stopping distance much...

A fully tuned and balanced stock Q45 braking system leaves little to be desired.

[ScottJackson]

How much more could they weigh than stock? Maybe 5lbs total? That really doesn't seem much on a car that's about 2 tons. I know rotational and unsprung weight is worse than other weight on a car, but I'm not too concerned with that small weight increase. It's time for new rotors and pads so I figured while I was in there I would upgrade since it doesn't seem to be very expensive. I admit that I'm no expert when it comes to brakes, but if the upper end cars are going to the effort of putting bigger discs on street cars, I think the ups outweigh (pun) the downs. I've also read over and over about swaps to larger rotors while keeping the stock caliper and they all are very positive. For the old Fairlane and Mustang guys there are adapters that allow a Cobra R (I think 13-13.5") rotor to be bolted on and a stock caliper from a base model mustang to be used. The corvettes have had a bigger brake option for quite a while and they guys on the 'vette forums think they're great. One downside to using the stock Q or 300zx caliper is that the pad doesn't cover the whole rotor area, leaving some of the inside part of the rotor untouched. To be honest, I also am wanting to do the swap for looks. I don't like seeing the small brakes behind my 17" wheels, mostly because it reminds me of little "ricer" cars with itty bitty brakes and huge wheels.

[elwesso]

Id just swap to the 300ZX brakes and see how yo ulike it.. its the obvious stepping stone since your going to need those calipers to run the bigger rotors anyway!

[elwesso]

FWIW, these are the 324x30mm rotors that were used also on the R33/R34 skyline (cant remember which models, thinking its GTS-T and not GTR since the GTRs used the brembos...)

[one ton garage]

Hmmm, I think you're also forgetting that fitting calipers and rotors from different vehicles is not simply a matter of diameter, but the offset of the rotor and caliper in relation to each other. In some cases you can shim the caliper so that the rotor is eventually centered in it... but you can only shim so much... You will usually see a majorly marked increase in braking performance from something as simple as a full fluid flush and R&Ring all the oem rotors and pads and running better flex lines...

[maxnix]

How much more could they weigh than stock? Maybe 5lbs total? That really doesn't seem much on a car that's about 2 tons.

I don't like seeing the small brakes behind my 17" wheels, mostly because it reminds me of little "ricer" cars with itty bitty brakes and huge wheels.

Increasing rotor mass from 16 lbs. to 21 lbs., metallurgy being the same, is a significant increase in the heatsink mass.

I am with you there. Probably the only justification for those billet Panzer wheels of which the young 'uns and Chip Foose are so fond.

[Q45tech]

People keep forgetting oem brakes have more than twice the effective HP [torque] of the engine otherwise the car couldn't stop more than twice as fast as it accelerates.

110 pounds of rotors, calipers, and pads vs 750 pounds of engine and transmission.

Unless you drive in a manner which causes the rotors to heat up beyond 600F.............It isn't necessary to modify brakes. Single panic stop from 60 mph on increases rotors by 150F + ambient say 300F at worst.

[ScottJackson]

I have no idea how much heavier the 350z rotors are compared to stock Q, I just threw 5lbs out there as an example. I do realize that I probably don't really need the bigger brakes, but I'd like them as I definately get fade and they take a bit to bite good after I pull it down from 145mph. I'm a bit older than when I first got the Q and don't go that fast nearly as often but I have hit one deer and they're everywhere here in Iowa. I figured that since I was getting new rotors and pads anyway, I'd just upgrade at the same time since the cost isn't much more. I know the calipers need to be centered on the rotor. I'm not sure yet whether I'll make my own brackets or buy the $200 ones. I'll probably try to make my own as I have a lot of metal working stuff like plasma cutter, various welders, grinders, drills... That and the $200 ones are aluminum, which may be OK, but I'd rather have thick mild steel brackets for that sort of thing.

[maxnix]

I do realize that I probably don't really need the bigger brakes, but I'd like them as I definately get fade and they take a bit to bite good after I pull it down from 145mph.

I know the calipers need to be centered on the rotor. I'm not sure yet whether I'll make my own brackets or buy the $200 ones. I'll probably try to make my own as I have a lot of metal working stuff like plasma cutter, various welders, grinders, drills... That and the $200 ones are aluminum, which may be OK, but I'd rather have thick mild steel brackets for that sort of thing.

Justification enough!

Let us know how the bracket adapters go. Might be a need for them from others.