"Economy" brake upgrade

[chickentendah]

Thank you all for your info.

At this time, I will be using my car only for daily driving and occasional aggressive driving. Probably won't be autoX'ing anytime soon. I won't be pushing my brakes repeatedly to the point of experiencing brake fade. What I really want is panic stop reassurance (i.e. 75mph to 0mph on the freeway).

So I think I'm just going to get quality pads and stainless lines for now.

[candela]

I think that a lot of people upgrade without ever using the potential of the brakes as well...

This is not just coming from someone who didnt go larger (s13 w/z32). But on my s14 auto-x, agressive road driving and everyday use works great for me.

I have stock size brembo replacements, SS lines, synthetic dot 5.1 brake fluid (completely flushed) and Hawk pads. The fade is NON existent in all of the aformentioned driving situations...

If you track your car I can definetly see where larger brakes could be a very worthwhile upgrade. But for me saving about $200-400 is worth it.

[matt4pl]

so true. for regular street driving and then some, good pads and even a stock rotor replacement will suffice. good luck with whatever your choice is (my reason for doing Q45 brakes was cause i got some fade on the highway and rear ended an SUV)

[carnal_c30]

I used to race my S13 alot in the mountains and I had bad problems with brake fademy S14 has the same problem, but not encountered as much as I dont race in it much even though it will be my road course car when it is completed

even if you dont need the huge brakes, the feel and communication of the 3Z 4 pistons is a marketable improvement over the stock 240sx brakes

I think that a lot of people upgrade without ever using the potential of the brakes as well...

This is not just coming from someone who didnt go larger (s13 w/z32). But on my s14 auto-x, agressive road driving and everyday use works great for me.

I have stock size brembo replacements, SS lines, synthetic dot 5.1 brake fluid (completely flushed) and Hawk pads. The fade is NON existent in all of the aformentioned driving situations...

If you track your car I can definetly see where larger brakes could be a very worthwhile upgrade. But for me saving about $200-400 is worth it.

[420_240sx]

I don't have much experience actually racing/braking in a 240sx, but I have driven a few cars that I felt somewhat unsafe in because of the brakes. I drove a friends mustang with upgraded brakes and it felt weird driving any car with stock brakes after that. Get Z brakes, it might save you one day, well worth the money.

[knowleqe]

if you get the q45 brakes, do all the brake lines match up with the q45s?

[candela]

yes

[knowleqe]

didnt know that all the lines fit up with the stock 240sx lines, thanx

[phatpat240]

This is to inform everyone who wants to waste your money and try to beef up your stock single piston brakes. This is exactly what I paid for my setup.I went to autozone and picked up a set of 26mm aluminum calipers for $102.I then went to splparts.com and got a new set of stainless braided teflon coated lines for $44 shipped.I then bought a pair of drilled and slotted black zinc coated rotors for $140.So I have exactly $286 in a bad *** set of brakes for the 240sx.I still have to buy pads though. So for less than $400,you can have way better brakes.So don't waste your money of hi dollar pads and rotors for the single piston setup. And if your on a budget you can substitute the drilled/slotted rotors w/ a set of blanks.Nopi has them on sale right now for $22 each.And I guarantee you that a set of stock rotor z32 brakes will out perform any high end pad and rotor single piston setup

[phatpat240]

And the z32 26mm will clear the s14 se stock wheels

[KFL]

And the z32 26mm will clear the s14 se stock wheels

Do know or if anyone knows if they 26mm will clear the base stock rims 15s? I know the 30mm won't from a friend.My brakes need a upgrade soon pads/rotors I'd rather upgrade than just get replacements.Also you should replace the MC as well, a friend upgrade to a s12 s00sx that will handle or go the z32 brake mc route.

[matt4pl]

ive been told they wil not. (so i just use Q45 brakes) they will clear 15" s13 alloy wheels, the 9 spokes. so if you can get a set of those wheels maybe... and we're talking about the 26mm

[knowleqe]

30mm will clear SE rims right?

[phatpat240]

26mm will clear the se s13 9 spoke wheels.I'm not sure if they will clear the stock s14 15" wheels.Everyone seems to ONLY want the 30mm z32's.You will never know the difference between the 26mm and the 30mm

[Chingon]

yeah...what's with wanting the 30mm anyways? I'm more than happy w/my 26mm 'cuz I did not have to buy wheels/spacers/etc...

granted that the 26mm version is scarce.

[phatpat240]

I wouldn't say 26mm's are scarce.You can buy them at autozone for $102 per pair

[Chingon]

hmm...I forgot about autozone, I guess nissan did make some extra for parts. I'm just saying 'cuz they only came in '90 z32's no?

[knowleqe]

doesnt autozone carry rebuilt calipers for both 26mm and 30mm?