R32 Skyline GT-R brakes on my Q45 - need a brake booster?

[jjbuzzman]

I bought Robert's Q (the former ECU guy) and am moving on with upgrades from where he left off. He installed R32 Skyline GT-R brakes and rotors. These are really BIG caliphers in front, with NISSAN in molded silver letters. They look nice.

It's time for new brake pads and servicing the brake system so I want to address one issue - as compared to my other two Q45's (90 and 91) these brakes require more pressure on the pedal. And as compared to my 90 brakes (which I recently serviced and are wonderful) these brakes don't feel so hot. I've read one post about this brake set up where a "brake booster" was used to compensate for the additional pedal pressure.

Any improvements to be made here, or go with the usual turning, pads, fluid flush, etc.?

[maxnix]

Perhaps he didn't resize the brake master cylinder?

Might search the internet for some information on sizing the master cylinder to caliper pistons.

[ddrumman]

That car is a beast. I drove it when Robert did my ECU. The brakes did feel quite different than mine, but then again mine are completely stock.

[elwesso]

He probably installed stainless lines... That is where most of that feel comes from... Thats the nature of these brakes...

Ive done it both ways, ive put on Z brakes with stock rubber lines, it feels very similar to stock.. Ive also done Z brakes with SS lines (my Q) and it makes the pedal much firmer. I feel that I have to have less pedal TRAVEL but as much if not more effort to get the same thing... regardless, I put peoples heads through the windshield in my Q.

You dont need to resize the MC for the brakes. Those brakes are basically the same as the Z brakes except the mounts are farther away and the caliper is wider for the bigger rotors... The calipers are the same otherwise.. So in essence, you get the same amount of clamping force from the Z brakes compared to these, you get better braking from the GTR brakes because of the larger diameter and thicker rotors.

Throw some hawk pads in those calipers and tell me its not awesome..

[jjbuzzman]

You are right in that Robert installed Custom Earl's stainless steel brake lines. I will do a top-notch brake job all around, and look into Hawk pads, and let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the input.

[Jeff Williams]

You might want to do a full fluid swap while you are at it. A lot of "softness" is from the fluid absorbing moisture over the years.

Layla was one of the first 1994 Q's, with a February 1993 build date. Her brakes stopped a LOT better than the Lola, who is a late 1994 build, with a build date of November 1994. Layla was almost twitchy on the brakes, where Lola seemed a bit more sluggish.

The Z32 calipers and larger rotors helped, and the ss lines helped some more, and the DOT4 fluid helped even more, but Lola still does not stop as good as Layla did. I bought a master cylinder from a 1990 Q that I plan to swap out. I have heard on here, that the early 1990 master cylinders were better than the later ones.

I also intend to flush the brake fluid again.

[Haitian_King]

Hmm. Good brake info. I need to have my brakes done soon. I'm getting some brake shuddering when coming to a stop.

[burgy240]

He probably installed stainless lines... That is where most of that feel comes from... Thats the nature of these brakes...

WHich stainles lines are need for the 300z brakes to fit on a Q? do you need conversion lines, r will the 300Z stainless lines fit??

[elwesso]

you have 2 options. You can either cut down the banjo bolt on the stock lines and use it that way, or get the 240sx/300ZX conversion lines.. ive done it both ways and theyre both good... If you wanted to go SS lines anyway, go with the conversion lines.