M45 Big Brake Kit- with pictures

[kingpin]

is the

This upgrade does not fit the 03-04. That would require a bracket similar to the one for the G35.

I did some rough measurements on a Q yesterday. The torque member bolt location is ~1.5" less on the M than the 06+M. It could be possible to make this work but I do not know if demand is suitable for an aftermarket company to produce a retrofit kit. The 03-04 uses a completely different front spindle setup and I have a sneaking suspicion that there are going to be other problems with the earlier models.

front spilndle for a m and a Q the same in those years wil they interchage (2002 Q and a 2003 M )

[Poyzinous]

No. The entire suspension is different.

[rocastro71]

Your car looks amazing and I can't wait to get it installed on my 2008 m35s too. Just need to know how much all-in-all parts and labor did you spend to get it done so I can start saving pennies for it. Congratulations and well done Steve.

[SteveTheTech]

I would say budget yourself $2g that will allow you to go with new parts (unless you manage to find a gently used set as Yos did). With steel lines and the stubble little brake lines from the G37S that connection much easier.

I still have yet to make a walk through for the install for this. I'm sort of hoping to write something for Nissan Sport but I need to see what they want formatting wise. If any of you need it now, speak up and I'll get a rough draft out this weekend. I had a great tee time last Sunday so... it didn't get done.

[ken in az]

I did a rough write up of my install and posted it here but it is now been lost back on page 2 or 3 probably because I didn't have pics.

Also, my walk through pretty much assumed you have changed your brakes on your own before. If you gave that to most any competant mechanic they could do the install in no time flat.

One good thing about these brakes - going through infinitipartsusa.com - a forum sponsor - you can get the setup for close to $1450 + shipping. Buy the M45 ss lines for $170 from them or go the short ss lines for $110, then you need some brake fluid but unless you are a hard core track junkie you can pick up some dot 3 or 4 down at autozone or checkers. Really all you need to do with the install is trim the rear splash gaurd/dust shield for the rear rotor fitment. The front's bolt on with no problems whatsoever - awesome!

[SteveTheTech]

^ That's right I read that good work.

I had planned on actually using the majority of your article and crediting you when I made it. I have the pictures but no words. The formatting and proofing of an article takes a while, although Showtime has updated their DVR menu.

I think after my fish pedicure on Sunday I'll get it done.

[ken in az]

I hear you, I was supposed to take my calipers off and take them to the powder coaters this past monday - I decided to chill out and veg at home after all it was my B-day

[szh]

I decided to chill out and veg at home after all it was my B-day

Z

[rocastro71]

Steve,

Does this void the car's warraty if the BBK includes non infiniti/nissan parts? Also, would a G37S brake set up fits an 08 M35S? If so, do you have any idea how much would it cost to get it - brand new set up with parts and labor?

[rocastro71]

I found this set up on concept performance. Would this set up fit my 08 m35s? here's the link- http://www.conceptzperformance...38.75?

[SteveTheTech]

That is the same kit. The StopTech rotors are going to be better than the OE G rotors for longevity and appearance.

I would also recommend getting the small sections of hard brake lines that connect into the calipers and too the flex line. The Ms factory lines are too short to connect them without compromising something. The lines can't be that much but I will look into it for you.

$1600 sounds like a fair price given what is there. If the calipers have to be assembled that will require a little more labor as that is time consuming.

This is a job for someone who has done at least some brake work. The parts are expensive and the new calipers are very light...meaning they are also soft and crossthreading one bolt will cause serious problems. These brakes also need to be bled in a different way and twice as much work is required for that.

[bhavener]

I run 17" rims with snow tires in the winter (damn Northeast) and I am worried that the big brake setup will require too tall an inner diameter.

Any idea what the minimum interior clearance of the rim needs to be to house the bigger rotors/calipers?

[SteveTheTech]

http://www.conceptzperformance...e.pdf

This is the perfect thing for that.

[450GT]

Excellent. Well,is it good for track days . I know that the stock brakes .

[rocastro71]

Do you know if the 20mm spacer is only needed for the front wheels or the rear wheels too. Can 15 mm spacer be used instead? Im just thinking ahead since I am planning to do this upgrade for my 08 m35s. Not anytime soon but as soon as budget enables and I can get decent prices on the materials needed. Thanks for the help.

[NightWatch]

OK.... I printed off this entire thread and went to my Infiniti shop and sat down with the Sr. Tech and showed him what had been done. I was trying to get an estimate out of him for doing the same install on my 2008 M35 Sport. I would provide all the parts, Infiniti would provide the labor. He said he'd seen it done on one other M, but I would also need to swap out my 19" wheels for 20" because there wouldn't be enough clearance for the Calipers in the front. Is this true Steve?

[M45Owner]

OK.... I printed off this entire thread and went to my Infiniti shop and sat down with the Sr. Tech and showed him what had been done. I was trying to get an estimate out of him for doing the same install on my 2008 M35 Sport. I would provide all the parts, Infiniti would provide the labor. He said he'd seen it done on one other M, but I would also need to swap out my 19" wheels for 20" because there wouldn't be enough clearance for the Calipers in the front. Is this true Steve?

I don't believe it is entirely true. If you use 20mm spacers (I believe somone else said that would probably be the minimum) the BBK should clear on stock 19's. I don't have a bbk kit but I do have 25mm spacers lowered on eibachs with the stock 19's and I think it looks great. If you aren't going to lower your M then I believe 20mm spacers will look better.

[ken in az]

OK.... I printed off this entire thread and went to my Infiniti shop and sat down with the Sr. Tech and showed him what had been done. I was trying to get an estimate out of him for doing the same install on my 2008 M35 Sport. I would provide all the parts, Infiniti would provide the labor. He said he'd seen it done on one other M, but I would also need to swap out my 19" wheels for 20" because there wouldn't be enough clearance for the Calipers in the front. Is this true Steve?

I don't believe it is entirely true. If you use 20mm spacers (I believe somone else said that would probably be the minimum) the BBK should clear on stock 19's. I don't have a bbk kit but I do have 25mm spacers lowered on eibachs with the stock 19's and I think it looks great. If you aren't going to lower your M then I believe 20mm spacers will look better.

Yup, I installed mine with the 20mm spacer on the stock 19's. They'd even fit on certain 18" wheels too with the correct clearance spec. There are also a few Rays 350Z and G35 wheels that would work too.

[SteveTheTech]

Recently I had a G37s in the air today and took a set of OE M 18s and a 19 from an 2006 Q45S (same as the M). The factory 18 cleared the height with no issue but the inner edge of the spoke contact the caliper. Unfortunately I don't have a stack of varying wheel spacers I would guess a 20mm set would suffice. I only checked the fronts as they are the largest and if it clears the fronts the rears should be fine.

I just don't think you would get the best performance out of the brakes with smaller wheels than the models that use them. Although now that I think about it the G37xS uses an 18" rim. I think the spoke design would help cool the brakes more than the thicker spoked 18" M wheels.

[rocastro71]

Okay, after spending more than a week searching the internet for the best possible prices on everything we need to do this BBK upgrade here's what I have found and please do put your inputs if you have anything better. Also please feel free to add for whatever you think I missed on the kit.The set from Concept Z performance which includes the stoptech Rotors F/R and the akebone calipers with infiniti brake pads cost $1620 + shipping. If you buy them separate, here's the breakdown:

a. all 4 akebono calipers $818.98 + shipping ( Infinitipartsusa.com)b. Stoptech rotors with Stoptech SS brake lines all F/R $640+shipping (ConceptZperformance.com) c. Brake pads F $61.33 + R $44.16 ( Infinitipartsusa.com)d. 20mm Ichiba wheel spacers $121.50 each pair for $243 all 4 wheels+ shipping. ($88/pair generic spacer also available) all on ebayWith conceptzperformance $1620 + $150 for brake lines + $243 spacers =$2013 + shipping.With the 2nd option total is $1807.47 + shipping.

Hope this helps for those that are thinking of doing this BBK upgrade. My other question for Steve or Ken from AZ is, do we need the caliper adapter and bolts like the set conceptzperformance has for the G35?

Lastly, InfinitipartsUSA quoted me $1450 for akebono calipers and infiniti rotors and pads + shipping.

[SteveTheTech]

It looks like you've done a fair amount a research regarding this.

Glad to see you have found some viable options. I would round up for to an even 2 grand just to take care of a few incidentals. Plus I would be more inclined to go with slotted and/or drilled rotors for aesthetic reasons, from my dealings with the G37s they factory rotors tend to rust just like the ones on the M.

[NightWatch]

But the 19" cleared the front with no spacers?

[ken in az]

Dude - Coz at Concept Z has em for $1425

http://www.conceptzperformance...7.250

No brackets are necessary

[yosM45]

OK.... I printed off this entire thread and went to my Infiniti shop and sat down with the Sr. Tech and showed him what had been done. I was trying to get an estimate out of him for doing the same install on my 2008 M35 Sport. I would provide all the parts, Infiniti would provide the labor. He said he'd seen it done on one other M, but I would also need to swap out my 19" wheels for 20" because there wouldn't be enough clearance for the Calipers in the front. Is this true Steve?

Not true. Diameter wise the 19s will clear. Width wise, you'll need spacers so the caliper doesn't hit the wheel spoke. But you can use the sport 19s the BBK. The G37s wheels are 19s.
Modified by yosM45 at 10:16 AM 8/2/2009

[rocastro71]

You mean the 19s will do OK diameter and width wise without spacers?

[NightWatch]

doesn't sound like it. Sounds like they'd need 20mm spacers or they'll hit the spokes in the front. I thought the G37 Coupe had 20"ers???

[MaxBolus]

I'm suffering from brake envy...

[rocastro71]

Ok, so I am pretty sold on getting this set up for my m35 however, my last and only question to anybody is- What part of the warranty will be affected if we do this mod? I only have my car for 7 months and I don't want to risk voiding my entire warranty for 4 years if this will affect it. please help!

[M45Owner]

Alright guys...After months of being patient and searching the inter webz, I finally found a set of these calipers. I got all 4 calipers, 4 G37S rotors, 4 G37S pads for $500. This came off a used G37S with 5k miles. I'm thinking about get the StopTech rotors cause they look and probably perform better but I may just ride the rotors that came with this set since they barely have any miles on them. When it comes time to replace them, I'll probably go with the Stop Techs. So I guess all I need now is the brake lines? Where is the best and cheapest places to get stainless steel lines?

[Dan048]

Steve,

Great looking brake setup! I had a question though. I was debating with a friend as to what direction the slotted rotors are suppose to face. I've read one article that said it's simply the owners preference. I see where you've installed them with the slots angled towards the front of the car or what appears to be opposite the rotation. The garage that installed mine did them with the rotation. Is there any difference in performance or is it simply a cosmetic choice?