check this: adapters for z32 + 350z rotors

[db_autotek]

Just for kicks, i wanted to share an interesting ebay find. In theory it should work on the Q's since we've been doing brake upgrades with z32 parts. These adapters allow you to use z32 calipers with awesome 350z racing rotors... supposedly. Don't hate on me if i'm wrong, just sharing what i found.

pros/cons/ rants / raves ???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...QrdZ1

[AZhitman]

I have the SPL ones on my 240sx, running the 350Z Track rotors, and they're great.

[maxnix]

So these are caliper brackets to move the stock Z32 calipers to accomodate the Z33 rotors rather than adapters?

Wonder if they would be a bolt on for the Brembos for the Z33?
Modified by maxnix at 12:48 PM 5/28/2007

[elwesso]

You can use the Z33 brembos however you have to drill out the mounting holes and retap threads to a larger diameter (I think its 12mm vs 10mm that stock Q/Z32 uses)... Other than that the Z33 brembos will work fine. Im not sure how much of an upgrade that is over the Z32 brakes.

Of course we all konw you can lock the brakes up just fine with Z32 on good pads/rotors/tires (my setup) so seems kinda silly to upgrade unless your running some SERIOUS tires. Brembos are EXPENSIVE.

I seriously thought about doing a bigger brake upgrade but for performance vs cost theres not much out there better than the Z32s.

[AZhitman]

So these are caliper brackets to move the stock Z32 rotors ot accomodate the Z33 rotors rather than adapters?

Wonder if they would be a bolt on for the Brembos for the Z33?

No and no.

These are intended to use on the Z32, to move the caliper out enough to accomodate a Z33 Brembo rotor.

The Z33 non-Brembo falls somewhere in-between diameter-wise, so it won't work there.

This is what I have on my 240sx, so that I can run Z33 Track rotors.

It would function on a Q45 as well, I imagine.

[db_autotek]

yeah thats why i got a little excited, because it seems that you could use them on a Q45... with the z32 calipers and z33 rotors.. im not gonna try it, lol but it should work.

[ScottJackson]

I'm going to try to start today on making my brackets to use ford Cobra 13" rotors on the Q with the stock Q caliper. Although the new Ford GT 500 stang uses 14" rotors which can be bought for around $100 each. Those 14" rotors with some C5 vette calipers could be some very impressive brakes on the Q without a lot of $$$. Oh yes, you'll probably need 17" wheels to clear the 13" rotors and 18" or bigger to clear the 14" rotors (which are FAR cheaper than the Z06 C6 corvette 14" rotors and the ford bolt pattern is the same as the Q, unlike the chevy).

[AZhitman]

Scott - Better make sure the Q caliper will contain the Cobra rotor. I don't think it will.

And C5 calipers would be quite pricey... Not to mention, they won't bolt up evenly.

If you want a cheaper BBK on a Q, get some 3000GT VR-4 rotors (MONSTERS!) and make a bracket for the Z32 30mm calipers. That's baller on a budget.

[maxnix]

Well let me ask the obvous question then.

If one is using the Brembo rotors, why not use the Brembo calipers also for increased rigidity and swept area?

[elwesso]

Because you can get Z calipers really cheap and brembo calipers are really expensive...

I think at the end of the day, the person who stops faster is going to have a better pad and a better tire, regardless of what setup they use. Remember oyu have to evaluate the extra weight of the rotor to see if it would be worth it. My point is if you use a big rotor on the Z or Q calipers, how do you know that the extra weight isnt going to offset any gains you have in braking?

The Brembo calipers are pretty muchthe same as the Z calipers, id be intersting to compare the 2 setups (Z32 vs Z33) and see if theyre really that much different. For me though, I'm going to stick with my Z32 rotors and calipers.

[maxnix]

Thanks....but "pretty much" (except by implication) and "cheap" (most will also have the Brembo calipers have if they have the Brembo rotors) don't really answer my query.

[elwesso]

Lets put it this way.. You can get Z calipers all day for under $300 for all 4 not including rotors, which you can usually find good ones for around 120/pair (thats roughly what i paid for my brembo blanks).. Youd be lucky to get a front pair of Brembos for under $1000, and that will probably not including rotors and pads. At the end of the day, youd probably spend $1500+ to get a brembo setup on the car and thats assuming you can do the install yourself, whereas the Z32s you could get done for around 500 or so.

So in answer to your question, the reason people arent using the brembo calipers is because theyre way expensive! The reason I wouldnt use them is because I dont think the extra money spent would result in an appropriate jump in braking performance! I dont have any quantitative information to support that, besides the fact that I dont want to spend that much money .

[Q45tech]

Because rotor weight is concentrated more toward the center of the axle, a pound of increased rotor weight affects braking and acceleration much less than a pound of tires or wheels.

[ScottJackson]

First pic is the stock Q rotor next to Cobra rotor.

Second pic is initial mock-up with Cobra rotor and stock Q caliper/bracket.

It looks like the adapter plates will be pretty easy to make as they need to be .310" thick to center the caliper bracket on the rotor. Just so happens that down in our iron pile I found a good size plate of .310-.315 thick steel (should be right at .310 when I buff the surface rust off it.

[Rex]

FYI

I bought some suspension pieces for my S134 vert, that included 5 lug and Z32 caliper/Z33 rotor upgrade with the "braket" for caliper relocation.

I attempted a test fit on my G50 and it does not work. the "offset" of the braket is not correct and the Z32 caliper would not fit/align over the Z33 rotor.

The rotor is HUGE by comparison, but I didn't want to have new adapters made, and won't need those monster brakes on my S13, so I traded them away.

[StarPD]

Because rotor weight is concentrated more toward the center of the axle, a pound of increased rotor weight affects braking and acceleration much less than a pound of tires or wheels.

True, but the combined increase in unsprung weight from bigger rotors, calipers, wheels and tires can wreak havoc on handling and ride. One way to mitigate it is to use extremely lightweight wheels and tires to compensate somewhat for the weight increase of brake components.

Of course, that pushes the expense up again too.

Remember what Robert Heinlein said: "TANSTAAFL". (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch)

BTW, the biggest benefit of increased braking capability isn't just on the stopping ability one time, in which tires play a big part, but the reduction in brake fade from heavy braking and repetitive braking from high speeds.

[db_autotek]

Yeah by the time it's all said and done, is it really gonna make that much difference on a daily driver?? My Q will never see the track (except 1/4 mile drag maybe) so I'm fine with the brakes it has. they work realy good for a 5000 pound car. If i were buildin a Q for track use i would jump on this like a frog on a log, lol. I'd find a way to use 350 track rotors.. theyre cheap on ebay and you can get generic brembo's slotted and drilled for cheap!