Any sugestions on brake up grades for 1990-96 Q?

[andre1038]

is there any upgrades that you can do on a Q45? I heard that the 300zx (Z32) rotors are the same size as the Q, is that true? I want to put drilled rotors in so im wondering is there any good aftermarket brake upgrades. And if the 300zx rotors are the same size, can i put some nice aftermarket rotors and brakes of a Z32 300zx on my Q? Thanks

[Q45tech]

Brakes depend on the ratio of body weight to rotor weight.Multiple piston calipers just help distribute the force more evenly across the pad. They do nothing to lower temperatures.When you analyse the 2 oem floating calipers vs the 4 300zxtt fixed calipers you find they are equal in forces applied to rotor.

A real upgrade would require larger diameter and thicker than 28 mm rotors with thicker metal not just air space. Larger rotors require larger wheels for clearance, whose weight negates some of the gain!

The oem system on Q can stop in 128 feet from 60 mph, unfortunately most on the road have some mainteance problems and use non standard hard compound tires which can lengthen stops significantly to 150-160 feet.

The point is use fast wearing tires and fast wearing dusty pads with oem light wheels and you can out stop any big brake kit regardless of cost due to it's added weight.

Please be specific in exactly what you are trying to accomplish with brakes!

It is easy to calculate the momentum [mass x speed] and the amount of force necessary to stop in any distance [in how many seconds] and the resulting rise in pad and rotor temperature.

If you turn ABS off a stock system can lock the tires at 80 mph if you apply the correct leg force.

A question that must be answered is how strong is your leg and graph the ramp up force in milliseconds. Most drivers are untrained and very slow and weak brakers.

The master cylinder muliplies leg force as does the diameter of rotor [assuming total piston number/areas are unchanged].

The point is you can create a big brake kit with your leg force. Another 20 pounds will equal the largest rotor on the market. something that would require 20" wheels to fit over.

A simple measurement is to data log the number of ABS cycles in a 60 mph panic stop, as every cycle is 100 millisecs of lost braking [8.8 feet declining to 2 feet]....................if ABS even cycles once it PROVES your tires are the PROBLEM not your brakes!

NASCAR uses 12.7" x 35mm thick on front............thickness is the key not diameter.Don't be fooled by 300zxtt 30mm as the extra 2mm is 80% air not metal

[maxnix]

Tires are the big determinant in performance. And the top tires are now available only in 18". Fiinding a wheel that is strong and light enough is not inexpensive.

If you want the drilled rotor look, check with Joe on when he is running the Brembo Stillen special again. You can upgrade caliper, dust shield and rear rotor to teh ventilated design at the time if you so desire. Z32 front rotors are actually about the same or even lighter, so no performance upgrade there. Brembos or AP Racing with get you pretty close to $6K -$7K for parts only.

If you autocross or drive in the mountains, it might be worth it. For normal commuting traffic, upgraded stock rotors with OEM pads are the way to go.
Modified by maxnix at 7:47 AM 9/10/2008

[Rex]

is there any upgrades that you can do on a Q45? I heard that the 300zx (Z32) rotors are the same size as the Q, is that true? I want to put drilled rotors in so im wondering is there any good aftermarket brake upgrades. And if the 300zx rotors are the same size, can i put some nice aftermarket rotors and brakes of a Z32 300zx on my Q? Thanks

In the thread at the top titled Q45 Articles, Repairs, and Info. there's a link to a section that includes a Q45 (1st Gen) How To: Installing Z32 Brake Upgrade

[Kiven422]

I'm glad you started this topic, if I did I would get chased down by the mafia.

I'm also in need better braking performance...I may bite the bullet and get some Cross-Drilled rotors off of eBay.

Zinc-Plating or Powder Coating...?

Do slotted rotors make a significant difference in pad wear?

I hear drilled rotors are comprised in terms of structural integrity.

Its not about the look, but what you can do to counter-attack+combo hot weather and fade.

[maxnix]

1.) I'm glad you started this topic, if I did I would get chased down by the mafia.

2.) I'm also in need better braking performance...I may bite the bullet and get some Cross-Drilled rotors off of eBay.

3.) Zinc-Plating or Powder Coating...?

4.) Do slotted rotors make a significant difference in pad wear?

5.) I hear drilled rotors are comprised in terms of structural integrity.

6.) Its not about the look, but what you can do to counter-attack+combo hot weather and fade.

1.) Many threads already extant. Search is your friend.

2.) Very likely you will be bitterly disappointed. Read the previous threads.

3.) Cadmium works best.

4.) Not really.

5.) Not if done right (like Stillen Brembo). They must be drilled correctly and have the openings chamfered.

6.) If you are experiencing fade on an up to snuff OEM brake system, then you are a candidate for a big brake system. Be prepared to lay out several large, without even thinking of the tires and wheels to clear the calipers.

Be aware that high temperature pads will actually decrease initial cold application performance over stock rotors and pads.

[Rex]

One of the best things most could do for braking improvement is get some better tires. If you're using hard tires ( >300 wear rating), you will feel the difference if you change over to soft ( <200 wear rating) performance tires.

[rhinoone]

Here is what I tried. Bought a pair of 324 mm (12.80") Brembo plated drilled rotors, and adapters to use the 300ZX TT calipers.

Thought I found a killer deal on the front calipers - NOT! Turned out to be the R34 calipers, instead of the Z32 calipers, and won't fit under my 17" wheels. Everything bolted up perfect, but I need another 15mm to 20mm of clearance inside the wheels. The company that built the adapters said the Z32 calipers work with 17" wheels, but not the R34 calipers. I can see that the Z32 calipers will fit just right with the Brembo rotors.

So I can run my factory brakes until I wear out my brand new tires, or take the hit and sell my new tires and wheels just to buy 18" wheels to use with the R34 calipers.

From my experience, use the big Brembo rotors, the Z32 calipers and adapters, new brake lines and you'll save yourself a lot of headaches, wasted time & money. Replacement pads are easy to find as they are for a 300ZX with the wider 30mm caliper, not the early (1991?) 28mm calipers.
Modified by rhinoone at 8:56 PM 9/16/2008

[maxnix]

But there is no more mass even in the later Z32 rotors compared to stock G50.

If you are not truly going big, just use the Stillen Brembo rotors.

[andre1038]

But there is no more mass even in the later Z32 rotors compared to stock G50.

If you are not truly going big, just use the Stillen Brembo rotors.

I'm so confused rite now, some people saying this and others saying that. Right now it seems to me that leaving the factory calipers is fine and just getting some stillen or brembo rotors and thats about it.

[rhinoone]

Your factory Q45 front calipers are a floating design. If you want to go with bigger rotors, you need the Z32 calipers, or similar design - not a floating caliper.

[rhinoone]

See if this works for you

zer...s-q45
Modified by rhinoone at 6:29 PM 9/15/2008

[maxnix]

See if this works for you

zer...01687

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[rhinoone]

Try this link...

zer...s-q45

[Kiven422]

How does the brake cooling system work on the Z32? I would like something like that on the Q45 if its possible. I know the wheels also help cool the brakes.

I have grip, great braking power, all new premium pads, but doing 5-10mph over the limit and a couple of stops is enough to cause slight fade on a hot day... then you have that pedal feeling like its doing nothing.

I was thinking about cross drilled/slotted rotors for now. So do any ebay companies sell/make Cadmium rotors? I haven't seen any yet.

[rhinoone]

Small piece of metal on the lower suspension arm that catches & directs air to the rotors. Simple and effective.

[maxnix]

Kiven22, you don't mention new fluid (DOT4) or conditon of sytem (MC, piston seals).

I think more like 130 mph to 50 mph a couple of times before fading occurs.

[qship96]

I agree....sounds like moisture laden brake fluid boiling causing the brake fade. Flush and bleed the fluid, then re-examine the operating status before looking at upgrades.

[TBrack]

The point is you can create a big brake kit with your leg force. Another 20 pounds will equal the largest rotor on the market. something that would require 20" wheels to fit over.

speaking of this has anyone seen the new GTR front brakes in person? rotors are crazy big!