Need advise

[3uro 2nr]

Hey guys, I've been a Nissan fan ever since I knew what cars were, family always been Nissan owners (14 total, mostly Altima's, I've owned 2). Although I currently own an Audi A4 Quattro I still have a thing for R34's and Z's. That being said, I have a friend with an 04 Z33 that wants to mod the **** out of it. He's got the money so I'm gonna help him with the process of picking and installing the right stuff. I believe its the Touring since it has leather and no performance brakes, spoiler or suspension. Its a 6MT. So far he's got a MTX audio system, DVD, HID's, and 20" Asanti's. Last week the pads started squealing and I told him he needs to upgrade the brakes to stop the massive wheels so we threw in some cheap Duralast golds. I doubt just a set of Hawks will do the trick so I reco'd a big brake kit. Now, since I'm not too familiar with the Z aftermarket options... what would you guys recommend for a good "bang for your buck" kit? Brembo? Rotora? AP? I don't want a flashy name, I want the best value. A shop quoted him $3.500 for front and $3.500 for the rears! I say its a rip off since you don't really even use the rear. No need to even upgrade those but since he obviously is going for the show look he wants something that looks nice back there as well. I did my search and read the FAQ & GI section but everything was too general. So any input you guys may give me is very much appreciated. And if there is a special section for this ? mods are welcomed to move it. TIA Z'rs!-Eddie

P.S. sorry bout the book, I like being detailed

[evildky]

why would he want better brakes, he put big wheels and a heavy stereo in a sports car, he has reduced performance in every area with his current choices somehow performance does nto seem like his cup of tea, perhpans he's be happier with an impalla?

yeah I knwo I'm a prick, anyhow, bthe best bang for thebuck brake upgrade is gonna be if you can find a set of used brembo's, going trate seems to be about $1700 fr the full set, new aftermarkets will cost you $2000-3000 for the fronts and another $2000-3000 for the rears

[3uro 2nr]

why would he want better brakes, he put big wheels and a heavy stereo in a sports car, he has reduced performance in every area with his current choices somehow performance does nto seem like his cup of tea, perhpans he's be happier with an impalla?

yeah I knwo I'm a prick, anyhow, bthe best bang for thebuck brake upgrade is gonna be if you can find a set of used brembo's, going trate seems to be about $1700 fr the full set, new aftermarkets will cost you $2000-3000 for the fronts and another $2000-3000 for the rears

Nah you're not being a prick at all. Its true he's added weight, BUT not everyone wants a brutal track car that weighs under 3,000lbs. He wants a well rounded quick car. He actually wants to go TT (I actually suggested a Vortech S/C because I'm sure he's gonna have to build the VQ's internals to run safe boost and a S/C is so much simpler for what he needs the power for) so that's why I told him to first get the supporting mods (clutch, brakes, coilovers et.) So he can be ready for FI. IMO that's too much bling for me, I suggested some Volks or Work Emotions but to no avail. But am I right or wrong about upgraded brakes helping in stopping the big wheels? He'll go through pads real quick and his rotors will wear fast also. Can someone provide me a link or two that can take me to a good parts distributor where I can find a big brake kit? Thanks again!

[dasoupdude]

hopupracing.com

imo this site is nothing short of amazing.

[R350Zz33]

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/ ... s/?id=7075 http://www.erzperformance.com/category_ ... ..htmljust some of my links i have

[rmezz13]

you should give your friend the link to this website and have him join NICOclub.... then we can be more direct towards him, but we want you to stay as well....

[AZ350Z]

http://toyboxauto.com/inc/sdetail/548



$995

IMO, any more is a waste on a Z. I have had these for 2 years and countless track events/street miles and love them.

[evildky]

what diameter rotors go with that kit? and if you are using a wilwood superlite 4 pisotn that means the 6 piston will bolt on

[jjdarkstuff]

^ Yup - that kit's there too for like $300 more.

they have a sweet AP BBK too for $1800

[JETPILOT]

A BBK is not going to give you better performance than the OEM brakes on the first or second stop. How short a distance a car will stop is is dictated by the grip of the tires. The grippier the tires the shorter distance the car will stop.

Now once the brakes are hot the story changes. A BBK has the ability to dissipate heat through larger rotors, and aluminum calipers. If the brakes can't dissipate heat such as the OEM brakes it goes right into the fluid and you get brake fluid boiling and loss of brakes.

The number of pistons has no effect on braking performance either. Anything more than 4 is pretty much for show.

I personally like Stoptech. They make everything themselves at their plant in CA. I like that parts are readilly available. I like I can get a tech on the phone if I need one. There are a large assortment of pad compounds available for them. They are race proven, and you can get them for $2000 for a 14" 4 piston front kit and a 14" 4 piston rear kit. Stoptech will paint the calipers any color you like.

Some brake companies don't make their own brakes. They source them from suppliers in Taiwan and put their name on them like Rotora, and Greddy.

Endless are JDM baller if you have $8K to spend on brakes. Brembo are on par with Stoptech but alot more money. Project Mu are JDM baller too but also at a huge price tag.



Modified by JETPILOT at 1:03 PM 8/19/2008
Modified by JETPILOT at 1:06 PM 8/19/2008

[dasoupdude]

"Remember, your brakes are only as good as your tires - If you're not running super-sticky compunds, you're wasting your time and money."

[evildky]

um...NO, more pistons are for larger pads and more even clamping, and lets not forget about pad selection, too many people will buy a $2000 package and get the cheapest pads available, and yes tires play a huge roll, hard high treadware tires will nto give you the grip you want when stopping, which si why I pointed out he hurt performance in every area, incresed weight hurts acceleration, as well as braking, hard non compliant tires hurt conrering and braking

[3uro 2nr]

A BBK is not going to give you better performance than the OEM brakes on the first or second stop. How short a distance a car will stop is is dictated by the grip of the tires. The grippier the tires the shorter distance the car will stop.

Now once the brakes are hot the story changes. A BBK has the ability to dissipate heat through larger rotors, and aluminum calipers. If the brakes can't dissipate heat such as the OEM brakes it goes right into the fluid and you get brake fluid boiling and loss of brakes.

The number of pistons has no effect on braking performance either. Anything more than 4 is pretty much for show.

I personally like Stoptech. They make everything themselves at their plant in CA. I like that parts are readilly available. I like I can get a tech on the phone if I need one. There are a large assortment of pad compounds available for them. They are race proven, and you can get them for $2000 for a 14" 4 piston front kit and a 14" 4 piston rear kit. Stoptech will paint the calipers any color you like.

Some brake companies don't make their own brakes. They source them from suppliers in Taiwan and put their name on them like Rotora, and Greddy.

Endless are JDM baller if you have $8K to spend on brakes. Brembo are on par with Stoptech but alot more money. Project Mu are JDM baller too but also at a huge price tag.



Modified by JETPILOT at 1:03 PM 8/19/2008

Modified by JETPILOT at 1:06 PM 8/19/2008

Agreed. We live somewhat in a rural area. Its not his DD but I know once in a while he gets pedal-happy and if you're going 65 on the road and in order to take twisty curves in the country it takes some beating. That's when vented rotors help dissipate the heat. He wants to track it I believe sometime next year as well and if he gets the FI upgrades he'll need the stopping power as well. Like I said, this is the tip of the iceberg of supporting mods if he is to go TT or S/C.

+1,000 on Stoptechs. Great quality and durability. I had a set on my previous Audi and probly what I'll install on my A4 when I get the $$$. But like I said its his decision I'm just the guiding light of the project.

um...NO, more pistons are for larger pads and more even clamping, and lets not forget about pad selection, too many people will buy a $2000 package and get the cheapest pads available, and yes tires play a huge roll, hard high treadware tires will nto give you the grip you want when stopping, which si why I pointed out he hurt performance in every area, incresed weight hurts acceleration, as well as braking, hard non compliant tires hurt conrering and braking

Agreed as well. Although keep this in mind, his sub box is removable along with the amp. He could easily swap out the 20's for 20lb 17's (or maybe 18's to clear the BBK) when he autox's it. So his current mods aren't fixed solid where he can't be versatile. Because I can shed 340 lbs ASAP in my car when it comes down to hitting the track. But I see your point when you think of 20" chromes its like... "sluggish showboat". But that's not the case. He's got Falken 452's. I heard they're real good. Opinions? I'm running Hawk pads right now and they're great. What do you guys recommend? This project isn't gonna be half assed

Thanks for the replies!

[3uro 2nr]

hopupracing.com

imo this site is nothing short of amazing.

Great link! They got stuff for my car as well and plenty of bargains.

you should give your friend the link to this website and have him join NICOclub.... then we can be more direct towards him, but we want you to stay as well....

Thanks. I sent him the link of the thread so he can register and get a feel for the modding somewhat. And I've been toying with the idea of a project Nissan. I'd hate to jump on the bandwagon but a stripped down S14 would be seckz. Always loved those. But right now I only got parking for 1 and I need to save $$$ for my build. But rest assure I'll be lurking these forums picking stuff up so I can build a Nissan as well.

[bmike818]

http://toyboxauto.com/inc/sdetail/548



$995

IMO, any more is a waste on a Z. I have had these for 2 years and countless track events/street miles and love them.

...so Front Big Brake kit for $995? Is everything needed to the conversion in the kit?

[JDMZ32]

You know (I've said this before), Endless sells 12 piston calipers for Z33s for only $10,000. Why don't you all just get those?

[AZ350Z]

Yes, 100% complete.