Q45 Brake Upgrade?
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SeattleQ45
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:43 pm
- Car: 94 Q45
Street driving brake upgrade
If you are looking for better braking from a bolt-on kit, try Hitman's brake kit. I got his diamond slotted front kit and slotted rear kit with stainless steel lines, new pads, speed bleeders and fluid.
After the install at my local auto shop, I notice a big difference in hard braking performance and resistance to brake fade.
My labor charges were around $250 and the brake kit was around $550. That ended up about $100 more than an OEM parts replacement brake job at the same shop...well worth it in my opinion (the dealer wanted $1,200).
My brakes perform as advertised, not a noticable difference under normal conditions, but in and emergency or higer speed stop they really slow the big beast down. I have a slightly improved brake feel as well, I suspect due to the new SS lines.
As others have stated earlier, if you want to really decrease your stopping distances, get better tires too...my ABS kicks in more frequently now on really hard stops (I'm running AVIDS).
After the install at my local auto shop, I notice a big difference in hard braking performance and resistance to brake fade.
My labor charges were around $250 and the brake kit was around $550. That ended up about $100 more than an OEM parts replacement brake job at the same shop...well worth it in my opinion (the dealer wanted $1,200).
My brakes perform as advertised, not a noticable difference under normal conditions, but in and emergency or higer speed stop they really slow the big beast down. I have a slightly improved brake feel as well, I suspect due to the new SS lines.
As others have stated earlier, if you want to really decrease your stopping distances, get better tires too...my ABS kicks in more frequently now on really hard stops (I'm running AVIDS).
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squeefoo
- Posts: 1053
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2003 5:10 pm
- Car: 1990 Infiniti Q45
1994 Nissan Maxima SE
1999 Infiniti I30
2003 Nissan Maxima Titanium
2006 Nissan Xterra Off Road
2012 Infiniti G37x S
Hitman - I have 300ZX AL calipers on w/ stock rim. But the calipers stick out a little under .5" Rim diameter is of course 15" on mine. Unless you're on the brakes a lot AL isn't a problem, heat soak wise, (not for auto crossing). I tossed my kid and my ex on the floor in a panic stop in Chicago a few weeks ago, (didn't have their belts on yet) 70 - 0 in what seemed like microseconds, I think better than stock.
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Jeff Williams
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 4:17 am
- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
Did you have to modify the calipers, or hubs, to make them fit?squeefoo wrote:Hitman - I have 300ZX AL calipers on w/ stock rim. But the calipers stick out a little under .5" Rim diameter is of course 15" on mine. Unless you're on the brakes a lot AL isn't a problem, heat soak wise, (not for auto crossing). I tossed my kid and my ex on the floor in a panic stop in Chicago a few weeks ago, (didn't have their belts on yet) 70 - 0 in what seemed like microseconds, I think better than stock.
I would think the DOT4 fluid should help, wit hthe heat soak issue.
I want to upgrade to the 300ZX, front and rear.
Does anybody know if the rears will work? I have a bad caliper on the driver's rear, and it is eating up pads rather quick.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
What you guys seem to want is endurance and that only comes from heavier rotors and or air flow ducts.
Hopefully members will weigh their changed rotors to an accuracy of an ounce so we can model the heat reserve capacity and make recommendations.
As we saif id something adds a pound or two don't expect more than a 10% gain [lower rotor temps].
Look at the rotors on big SUV as a guide of what is necessary.
Most aftermaket kits are not thermal designed for a Q weight.
Hopefully members will weigh their changed rotors to an accuracy of an ounce so we can model the heat reserve capacity and make recommendations.
As we saif id something adds a pound or two don't expect more than a 10% gain [lower rotor temps].
Look at the rotors on big SUV as a guide of what is necessary.
Most aftermaket kits are not thermal designed for a Q weight.
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squeefoo
- Posts: 1053
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2003 5:10 pm
- Car: 1990 Infiniti Q45
1994 Nissan Maxima SE
1999 Infiniti I30
2003 Nissan Maxima Titanium
2006 Nissan Xterra Off Road
2012 Infiniti G37x S
Jeff -the calipers bolt right on after removal of the caliper bracket,the fluid is the 500 deg stuff from Wagner (8-9$ QT). I have SS braided lines, and 300ZX X-drilled rotors from EBay (32mm thk.). The only mods were a 13mm spacer and the 13mm extended Nismo studs. I like the sound of the J30 brakes for the rear, maybe thats next!