big brake question (i searched)

[goj_cloud]

is it true that the big brake kit is really kinda useless? thats what my friend was telling me, he said its not worth the money and i should just get the drilled/slotted rotors thats made for the 240. I know that i would probly need to get bigger calipers though. Since im geting the sr soon i forsee myself tuning it to atlest 400whp, and i know when you go faster you need to stop faster. So is it really worth it?

[naed240sx]

If you are gonna be on the track at all, stock brakes are not gonna cut it. If only plan on making some quick stops on the street, stock brakes with good pads will be fine. Make the power, then go driving. If you feel like you need an upgrade, then go for it. If not, then don't. Don't modify for the sake of modifying. Buy stuff when you need it.

[Q45tech]

On the street [in single stops at reasonable rotor temps to start] oem system cannot be improved upon very much [IF IT IS AS NEW with ALL oem components are installed].

Heavier wheels and tires OBVIOUSLY exceed the oem system parameters and just heat the rotors pads faster vs oem wheels tires.

Tires not being oem soft and fast wearing are always the limiting factor.

Study the TireRack tire test results and see the wide variances in dry and wet braking from only 50 mph.......................multiply these distances by 4 times from 100 mph.

What is a 20-25 foot variance can easily be 50 foot from just 75 mph from lesser aftermarket harder tires.

Manufacturers use soft fast wearing tires to score well in magazine test and to get away fast from tire liability.

[goj_cloud]

yea thats true but i was saying if i just get regular sized drilled rotors with bigger calipers, instead of big brakes would that cut it?

[C-Kwik]

Bigger calipers (assuming larger piston area) will decrease clamping force for a given pedal pressure. Bigger caliper piston area means more fluid is needed to push the piston out a certain amount. Unless you change the master cylinder to a bigger unit to compensate, the pedal will have to move further. This can affect front to rear brake balance if the rear caliper piston area is not increased proportionately as well. Too big on any caliper and you could reach the end of pedal travel before the brake can even lock-up. It certainly won't increase traction between that tire and the ground. Ultimately, shorter stopping distances come down to traction between the tire and the ground.

Larger rotors also do not decrease stopping distances. If the same piston area is used(same caliper) then more brake torque would occur for a given brake pressure but since the tire determines when the tire will lock up, it won't decrease the stopping distance.

Generally speaking, its not a good idea to change the front to rear braking ratio. It's possible to get a better result with front to rear brake bias changes, but it may end up with an edgy system under certain conditions which may make it unsafe at times.

Big brake systems are your best bet as they are generally aimed towards maintaining the same or very close piston areas. Even the popular Z32 brake upgrade on the 240 will result in more piston area. It's not terrible but certainly noticable. Many upgrade to a Z32 M/C to reduce some of the effects. Even then, it may not be close. The main reason for going to such an upgrade is to increase it's ability to handle heat...especially when hot lapping at a race track. For me consistent and reliable braking is easier to manage than overheating brakes, which may actually take you by surprise in some cases. Ideally, you are maintaining the same stopping distances and able to absorb and dissapate the heat generated by the braking system sufficiently.

With 400 HP, it will be easy to overheat your brakes. Hell, I did it on a nearly stock S13 on the street easily enough.

[goj_cloud]

Bigger calipers (assuming larger piston area) will decrease clamping force for a given pedal pressure. Bigger caliper piston area means more fluid is needed to push the piston out a certain amount. Unless you change the master cylinder to a bigger unit to compensate, the pedal will have to move further. This can affect front to rear brake balance if the rear caliper piston area is not increased proportionately as well. Too big on any caliper and you could reach the end of pedal travel before the brake can even lock-up. It certainly won't increase traction between that tire and the ground. Ultimately, shorter stopping distances come down to traction between the tire and the ground.

Larger rotors also do not decrease stopping distances. If the same piston area is used(same caliper) then more brake torque would occur for a given brake pressure but since the tire determines when the tire will lock up, it won't decrease the stopping distance.

Generally speaking, its not a good idea to change the front to rear braking ratio. It's possible to get a better result with front to rear brake bias changes, but it may end up with an edgy system under certain conditions which may make it unsafe at times.

Big brake systems are your best bet as they are generally aimed towards maintaining the same or very close piston areas. Even the popular Z32 brake upgrade on the 240 will result in more piston area. It's not terrible but certainly noticable. Many upgrade to a Z32 M/C to reduce some of the effects. Even then, it may not be close. The main reason for going to such an upgrade is to increase it's ability to handle heat...especially when hot lapping at a race track. For me consistent and reliable braking is easier to manage than overheating brakes, which may actually take you by surprise in some cases. Ideally, you are maintaining the same stopping distances and able to absorb and dissapate the heat generated by the braking system sufficiently.

With 400 HP, it will be easy to overheat your brakes. Hell, I did it on a nearly stock S13 on the street easily enough.

so basically what your saying is if i get bigger calipers i need bigger rotors and vice versa.