Q45 Brake Upgrade?

[motorhead]

Has anyone ever tried this on a Q45?http://store.yahoo.com/ginnmot....html

It is an upgrade for 90-96 300zx that uses a bracket to move the calipers out and therefore allows the use of 3000GT 12.5" disks with the stock Z32 calipers.

I was thinking that if Z32 calipers fits a Q with dust shield removal, then this kit might work. I expect that brake proportioning would be thrown off, requiring an adjustment via aftermarket valve.

This kit got positive reviews from a couple of 300ZXclub.com forum members.

[AZhitman]

Wonder if they'd sell JUST the brackets (since I already get good rotors cheaply).

[motorhead]

If I get them, I can make you a template of the bracket.

If them have a reasonable return policy, I will probably give this a shot. I have looked all over for a reasonably priced brake upgrade, and this is the best I have found. It seems like you can upgrade to Z32 calipers and rotors(light calipers, thicker disks a good thing) but anything better means $$thousands.

[AZhitman]

Spectacular.

We could then have Corey load them in CAD, which means a set for EVERYONE.

[AZ94Q]

By the time you pay for this kit, you will have spent thousands..

kit includes front rotors only.. add rear rotors, the modification to the parts, real pads etc etc

Buy the skyline brake upgrade.. proven kit.

[MiniMan]

Alls I need is a sketch with some measurements and I'll CAD them and get some quotes for ya!

Corey

[AZ94Q]

Includes:

Front 12.5" rotorsHardware to mount rotors with stock calipersStock Wheels will fit with a 15mm Spacer (sold seperately)

No pads. No rear rotors.

Skyline kit gives you 4 rotors, 4 pads.. skyline calipers...

Put a full kit together for under 1,000 then you will have a nice offering.

As for now

The wilwood kit is untouched if you want the ultimate brakingfor mid priced braking upgrades the skyline kit is still supreme

[MiniMan]

Rob had an ingenious idea that I didn't think about Re: wilwood big brake kit.

Get the 14" 6 piston front brake set and move the front brakes to the rear axle. Just buy new rotors for the "old" front brakes and they'll look practically identical. That would also provide a shat load of brake power without the need for a proportioning valve... all you'd need is the brackets and you'd have a supreme setup!

Corey

[MiniMan]

Total cost via Rob's plan would be little over $2k... not too shabby.

Corey

[AZ94Q]

The Skyline GT-R (R32) brake system will improve the ultimate braking performance of the 300ZX by increasing the brake pad swept area by 6.8% and internal cooling capacity by 82% over the OE front brakes.

NOTE: A significantly greater improvement in internal cooling capacity (136%) will be obtained on early (up to 7/90) non-turbo models as these were equipped with the "small" 26mm brake rotors

The lightweight 6-1/2 lb aluminum front calipers are designed to clear the larger uni-directional rotors which, in addition to being cross-drilled, are 295mm (vs 280mm) in diameter and have a width of 32mm (vs 26/30mm).300ZXs produced from 4/92 (turbos from 7/92) are equipped with heavier 10 lb front cast iron brake calipers.

[AZ94Q]

I like your idea... I would take it a step further.

Instead of using stock rear brakes, upgrade to the skyline rears... that would be a nice mix...

Stock OEM brakes are garbage...

300zx has better brakes, and it weighs 500 pounds less..

Skyline has better brakes then the 300zx.

[HeavyDuty]

I have a few words for the Wilwood Dynalite "kits" and it's at least one that's bound to be censored.

Even the best Brembo kits for more common apps require a little finessing. (If that's a word?)

94> Fox-4, 96> EK, 99> A4, ad nauseum.

The last Wilwood kit I had spewed brake fluid on the interior of a freshly painted fender lip of a heavily modded, monthly campaigned autocross car when the caliper split.

No thanks.

[AZ94Q]

I'm going to order all new rotors and hawk pads for the skyline kit, my car comes equiped with.

With the gtechpro I should be able to get some good braking distance stats.

[Q45tech]

Improved brakes just activate the ABS more frequently without even stickier than oem 170 treadwear index tires.

[MiniMan]

Q45tech... both myself and Rob are going with sticky 8" wide+ front tires. I concur it will still activate ABS earlier but there should be a larger reduction in deceleration times for say 100-40 (or whenever the tires would lock up), etc. As well there would be virtually no fade... especially if the disks are supplied with duct work.

Corey

[motorhead]

AZ94Q, any suggestions on what parts and where to get them for a skyline upgrade?

Regarding spending thousands to get the kit with brackets to work, I will call and talk to the people selling it. I was not planning on doing the same upgrade to the rear wheels. I thought that most braking is done by the fronts(70%??) and an upgrade to good Z32 rotors and calipers and a proportioning valve would do it. I was assuming that since the upgrade uses the stock Z32 calipers, a standard pad would work also. $400 for the kit, $300-500 for the four Z32 calipers, 150 for Z32 rear disks, + massaging to get it on = approx 1000 plus labor.

[Jeff Williams]

I found that guy about a year ago. I downloaded some info off his web site. It looks like a prety good deal.

The brackets sold on eBay, recently, for under $100. A set of 300ZX Rotors would cost less than $200. That makes the 12.5" rotor upgrade around $300.00 (not including labor). Not a bad deal, if you ask me.. Description: This procedure contains assembly process and required tooling to perform 12.5” Brake Conversion Kit installation

Disclaimer: The 12.5” Brake Conversion kit is not intended for street use. Use this product at your own risk.

Required Tooling and Parts1) Lug Wrench2) 19 mm Combination Wrench3) Metric Socket Set4) 12 mm Combination Wrench5) Sheet Metal Cutters6) Torque Wrench7) LocTiteâ 2428) 12.5 Inch Brake Rotorsa. Mitsubushi 3000 GT VR-4 1994-1998 (Not Included)

Material List:Part Number Quantity Description1 2 Caliper Mounting Brackets2 4 M12x1.25x30 Grade 8 Hex Head Bolts3 4 M12x1.25 Nuts4 12 12 mm I.D. Washers

Installation Procedure:

I. Jack up cara. Apply Emergency brake.b. Jack up car.c. Ensure car is on level surface and securely supported with jack stands before continuing.

II. Remove Front Wheel

III. Caliper and Rotor Assembly Removal

a. Using 12mm wrench, remove two bolts holding brake line support bracket to rear of spindle.b. Using 19mm combination or socket wrench, remove the caliper mounting bolts.c. Slide brake caliper off rotor and set aside.i. Note: Be careful not to allow brake caliper to hang by the brake line.d. Pull brake rotor off of wheel hub.e. Using Sheet metal cutters, remove brake rotor heat shield.i. The spindle following heat shield removal is shown in figure 1.

FIGURE 1

IV. Bracket Installationa. Remove the original flat washers from stock caliper mounting bolts.b. Replace with washers supplied in kit.i. Note: 1 washer per bolt.c. Slide original caliper mounting bolts thru caliper mounting bracket as shown in figure 2.

FIGURE 2

d. Install caliper mounting bracket into spindle.i. Apply Loctiteâ 242 to bolt threads.e. Secure bracket using 2 flat washers and 2 - 12 mm nuts.f. Tighten caliper bracket mounting bolts to 72-87 ft-lbs.g. See figure 3 for installed bracket.

FIGURE 3

V. Caliper and Rotor Assembly Installationa. Slide new 12.5 inch rotor onto wheel hub. See Figure 4.

FIGURE 4

b. Slide brake caliper onto rotori. Apply Loctite 242 to bolt threads.ii. Mount to caliper bracket using 2 - M12x1.25x30 bolts and washers. See Figure 5.

FIGURE 5

c. Tighten caliper mounting bolts to 72-87 ft-lbs.d. Using 12mm wrench and original mounting hardware, re-attach brake line support bracket to rear of spindle.i. Note: You will have to slightly bend steel brake line between caliper and brake line support bracket. See Figure 6.

FIGURE 6

VI. Re-mount Wheel.VII. Repeat Steps I – V for Second Wheel.

Contact Information:E-mail [email protected] if you have questions regarding the installation procedure.

I am still going to upgrade to the aluminum 300ZX calipers, but want to get a set under $200, if I can. Then, if I want more later, I can upgrade again and not feel bad about dropping too much money along the way

[maxnix]

By the time you pay for this kit, you will have spent thousands..

kit includes front rotors only.. add rear rotors, the modification to the parts, real pads etc etc

Probably true, and the 15mm required spacer to run OEM specification wheels down't do anything for me.

I have a few words for the Wilwood Dynalite "kits" and it's at least one that's bound to be censored.

Even the best Brembo kits for more common apps require a little finessing. (If that's a word?)

94> Fox-4, 96> EK, 99> A4, ad nauseum.

The last Wilwood kit I had spewed brake fluid on the interior of a freshly painted fender lip of a heavily modded, monthly campaigned autocross car when the caliper split.

No thanks.

Interesting testamonial. I tried to get a Wilwood big brake kit done by an import modder in Oregon for my Legend, but they flaked on me.

If you want to play, you have to pay seems to apply to brakes more than anything, except maybe active suspensions.

[AZ94Q]

So true...

[AZ94Q]

I'm a fan of the skyline brake upgrade..

I will be happy to display the numbers the GTECH provides...

hopefully that can shed some light on this subject...

The wilwood is unproven, and expensive. The product seems nice on paper. I am sure what I am getting with the skyline kit, having a wilwood caliper crack during high speed braking would be unsettling to say the least.

There are several nico members with the skyline kit, that all seem to like it. They say it decreases their high speed braking distances, and also makes the rotors last infinitely longer.

I'm probably being to hard on the stock brakes.. Considering what they are, the performance is quite impressive. I once again reference my friends XJR.. He has massive brakes (not the brembo kit) and still can't manage a better 60-0... Of course the brembo kit puts the xjr in the 116-120 ft range, as opposed to 129 with the stock brakes.

[AZ94Q]

Stillen skyline kit...

http://www.stillen.com/Sportsc...age=2

Remember this is a factory nissan motorsports upgrade for the 300zx. It came stock on the anniversary edition (wasnt sold in the US) So you can get it from any nissan dealer, who sells motorsports parts.

Here is another link for the kit

http://courtesyparts.com/Merch...brake

http://courtesyparts.com/Merch...brake

Hawk Pads

http://courtesyparts.com/Merch...wkpad

I know some of you guys are skeptical of bigger brakes. I've spoken with quite a few nico members, regarding this subject. Some with the brembo kit, one with an AP kit, a few with the skyline kit... all report decreased stopping distances, improved rotor life, overall improved feel over OEM.

I will be glad to post multiple stopping distances, once I get everything setup...

Hopefully that will shed some light on this..

[maxnix]

I will be glad to post multiple stopping distances, once I get everything setup...

Hopefully that will shed some light on this..

Look forward to that. If you can do it with the same tire and wheel combination for both, it would be great and much more revealing as to the difference the brakes make. Good luck.

[HeavyDuty]

Repeated stops/slowdowns with little to no cool down time in between is what I'm after with my front only Brembo GT kit w/ F40 or F50 calipers, I forget what I have.

[AZhitman]

Back to reality, since no one's buying.

Motorhead, let me know if you get the brackets. I'd be down for a set as well if they're for sale seperately.

[maxnix]

HD bought! What about the rears HD?

[szh]

You all should read this:

http://scirocco.dyndns.org/faq....html

before you mess with your brakes.

Moral: try way better tires first. It is a cheaper and easier solution.

Z

[rsiwicki]

I am buying my brakes also so don't count me out yet...just don't have enough time to get them done any sooner as my car has been under going some serious changes. Also I got lucky and found somebody within a week to do the brakes and minimal internet search/email time applied. Some of these other mods have been spent long nights searching and countless phone calls only to hear..."What??? A Q45!!! We don't do those and don't know of anybody who does."

Brakes for me will be done in late June/July depending on how all my other mods end up working or not working. If I don't have close to a 14.0 sec 1/4 car then I don't think that I will need the extra braking power as my car will not be going at fast enough speeds to warrant those bigger brakes.

I want to break the 100mph barrier in the 1/4 mile along with all my other goals such as 300rwhp, etc.

[MiniMan]

Something most of those articles don't discuss is braking from higher speeds BEFORE your brakes can't create enough friction necessary to lockup your tires (or turn ABS on). Having 14" 6 piston brakes when you're trying to stop from 30-0 is going to increase braking distances if you don't know how to use them right! Even if you do know how to use them right, and don't lock them up, stopping distances from 30-0 will barely decrease, if at all. When looking to lower your stopping distances, of course upgrade your wheels to something sticky and fat. Once you've done that though, you've just lowered your threshold where ABS won't come on until a much lower speed. Once you've given your car more grip and increased your braking power, you should be able to notice MUCH better braking distance from 100-0 and better braking distances from 60-0. Upgrading your brakes isn't the be all end all solution... it only helps if you have the grip to put the friction they create to the ground!

Corey

[elwesso]

Good point...

I noticed around town, the Q brakes are more than adequate.. Even from 60 its ok, but from my stock tires the ABS comes on.. So you gotta get good rims before you get good brakes, IMHO.

At least make the best of what you got before you start upgrading stuff.....

[HeavyDuty]

Brian, these are just some calipers I had sitting around from a previous F150 project I sold/traded, whatever. I need brackets & rotors & I'm good to go.

Brakes & upgraded wheels/tires go hand in hand, IMHO & usually wind up happening at the same time.

Big wheels? Hmmm, now my brakes look little.

Big brakes? Need larger wheels to accommodate them.

I personally don't think I need to upgrade the rear too. Brembo makes too many kits that are front only for there not to be a reason for it. I'm not planning any track events, just trying to stay focused with this thing being a daily driver, not a race car.....this time.....no..I really mean it...this time it's just a driver.

No two ways about the fact that tires are, well, where the rubber meets the road. I just don't like the fading I get on my car on the highway, and that's with the 15" BBS's. Lord only knows what trouble I'll be in with the 18" OZ's.