Z Brakes: Has anyone done this?

[Repo Man]

I've been looking at my options for a brake upgrade on the s13 and I really like the Wilwood setup that Enjuku has, but it's going to be $1100 before shipping and while I don't want to skimp in that area, I don't really want to spend that much if I don't have to.

I don't like the idea either of buying used parts for a Z brake conversion so I just called up Advance Auto Parts and got some prices. I can get front TT calipers for $219 including core charge. I can get Hawk pads for $80 and Brembo blanks for $73 through Tire Rack and SS conversion lines through Enjuku for $54 with total coming to $426.

Is there any reason why this wouldn't work? Like I said, I'm kind of an oddball in that I don't like the idea of used equipment when it comes to brakes. Other stuff, no problem, but not brakes. I need to replace my master cylinder anyway, so I'll just order up the Z unit to match the calipers.

Any of you guys put your Z brakes together like this?

[MagikDragon]

I thought about doing it, and I see no reason why this wouldn't work. Also, if you didn't know already there are some BMC's on ebay that already come with the nipple installed for the s13.

[Repo Man]

Link?

[MagikDragon]

Actually, FRSport is selling one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

[AZhitman]

Andy - that's almost EXACTLY what I did, except I went with the 350Z Track rotors and the adapter from SPL (to run the bigger rotor).

[Rex]

From what I've seen/read, the parts from Autozone are not OEM quality, though they want/expect OEM core parts

Just so you know.

[AZhitman]

AutoZone ones are simply rebuilds.

They're someone else's cores, cleaned and rebuilt with new seals.

Andy, if they're calling them "NEW", steer clear.

AutoZone don't sell "NEW" Nissan parts from 1990-1996, think about it.

[nismofly]

wilwood kits arent even that great, Z brakes are a much better choice

eventually youll need something more, and thats when you drop $2k on stoptechs

you planning on just doing the fronts? youll want the rears when youre tracking, you might want to look into those in the near future

[Repo Man]

No, they weren't calling them "new". That was me and what I meant was new or reman. Point being that their condition is not supect or unknown and I have a guarantee as such.

eventually youll need something more, and thats when you drop $2k on stoptechs

you planning on just doing the fronts? youll want the rears when youre tracking, you might want to look into those in the near future

And when I get to that point, if I do, then I'll pop for something severe. But for now I have plenty of other parts to buy, bodywork/paint to do and I need to put some more work into the suspension. And I will do the rears. At that point I'll have a good start.

The parts store I use locally is Advance Auto Parts, which I feel is far superior to Autozone. I'm not a big fan of theirs.

[Repo Man]

Andy - that's almost EXACTLY what I did, except I went with the 350Z Track rotors and the adapter from SPL (to run the bigger rotor).

That looks like a nice option. Obviously much larger rotors.

[gumby74]

In all reality, that is the best way to go about it. If you are not too choosy about the iron or aluminum calipers, besides, even if you went the salvage yard route rebuild kits for the calipers are available from nissan. I managed all 4 calipers (junkyard/rebuild) for about $300. I will be going with the Frsport m/c very soon tho I have noticed the ebay price of $159 is less than the webstore price of $220.

[AmoebAssassin]

Do you have any evidence for Z brakes > Wilwoods? Because as I have heard it, Wilwoods are a lighter caliper/rotor package, and have superior performance to the Z brakes due to larger rotor surface, and larger pad surface (I cannot verify this however).

For track days you do not need rear Z brakes. I run Z32/R32 front calipers and stock rears, and have not hand any issues with fade or balance, and I'm a deep trail braker. Just an FYI: Z32 front / S chassis rear is OEM equipment on japanese S14s, which have the same chassis but more power...

By the way, unless you're fading a stock Z32 setup, those SPL big rotor conversions are just retarded bling equip that increases your unsprung mass.

[nismofly]

ive heard both sides of the story on the balance issue, some people dont care and can do without it, others said the difference once they got rears made it a different car under braking...i plan on doing the rears anyway so i have them when i eventually get the z32 booster and run a stoptech kit up front

wilwoods will outperform z brakes, i never said they wont, what i said is they arent that great, and thats because of the calipers...the calipers they have are lightweight, which of course has the benefit of reduced unsprung weight and whatnot, however what they suffer as a compromise is caliper rigidity, and from what ive heard this becomes noticeable on track and can cause problems, again just like the balance this is only what ive heard, but its enough that i wouldnt get the kit

i think the wilwoods would be more like a nice street kit

z brakes are the better starting point, then from there jump to something like z/sti/evo brembos or a stoptech kit or whatever

[SmithSR]

Seriously!?? For a street car? a Z kit is the ownage. There, i posted!What is topic again?

[nismofly]

lol alright a wilwood kit is a "ballin" street kit

honestly i dont know what else youd call it

theres a reason so many people use Z brakes

What is topic again?

got me

[AZhitman]

By the way, unless you're fading a stock Z32 setup, those SPL big rotor conversions are just retarded bling equip that increases your unsprung mass.

This man speaks the TRUTH.

Besides, 90% of S-chassis cars have insufficient tires to use all that braking anyway. I'm running wide, sticky Toyos and still can lock 'em at will.

[Repo Man]

What is topic again?

Holy ****, Smitty is back and dissing my thread. Uh, I was talking about being a cheapass and piecing together my Z brakes with remanufactured calipers through my local auto parts store and whether it would be ok for my car built with Onstar spiff money.

Hey, at least I sparked some useful discussion and not another "Look at my mad-ballin' Sportmax rimz yo" thread.

[hannibal]

Is there any reason why this wouldn't work? Like I said, I'm kind of an oddball in that I don't like the idea of used equipment when it comes to brakes. Other stuff, no problem, but not brakes. I need to replace my master cylinder anyway, so I'll just order up the Z unit to match the calipers.

Any of you guys put your Z brakes together like this?

I think used condoms are safer...

I'm not 100% sure that the reman calipers come with pins, clips, etc. Make sure you verify this before you go that route. And let us know

[Repo Man]

I'm running wide, sticky Toyos and still can lock 'em at will.

At what speed Greg? I can see the larger diameter being a real help at triple digits...

[574-240sx]

Andy if you need any help let me know. I rebuilt my Z brakes when I bought them used.

[Bronze MFP]

I have remanned z32 calipers up front and junkyard sourced rear calipers and ebrakes. nothing leaks and everything works as it should. i've had this setup for over 2 years now with no problems. running brembo blanks and axxis metal master pads. havnt tracked the car, but it did good at the autocross last year

[Repo Man]

Cool. Thanks for the input you guys. Nick, we need to get together soon.

[SmithSR]

I wasn't dissing your thread. What is dissing anyway.

Woot Greg has toyos, pics please!

[RB20DETodd]

This man speaks the TRUTH.

Besides, 90% of S-chassis cars have insufficient tires to use all that braking anyway. I'm running wide, sticky Toyos and still can lock 'em at will.

and they dont evenb bling that hard, wilwood kit would have been better from the get go.

[AZhitman]

Bleh - Wilwoods are overrated and useless for 90% of S-chassis cars.

I'm a big fan of purpose-built BBK's, I had Baer on my '68.

Repo, I don't know if they'll lock up at triple-digit speeds. I'm gonna have to pass on finding out tho.

[RB20DETodd]

Bleh - Wilwoods are overrated and useless for 90% of S-chassis cars.

I'm a big fan of purpose-built BBK's, I had Baer on my '68.

Repo, I don't know if they'll lock up at triple-digit speeds. I'm gonna have to pass on finding out tho.

spl kit shipped --550300zx calipers---250hawk pads-----70lines----50

from the get go willwood, but i started with just a plain 300zx setup, now i need to find a rear z setup.

and hawk pads suck ***.

[nismofly]

to me the logical alternative to the wilwood kit if you want something bigger than z32 would be z33/g35/evo/sti brembos

brembo > wilwood, easy to find parts for them because theyre oem, and you can get total front and rear package for like $1,400

[Repo Man]

Bleh - Wilwoods are overrated and useless for 90% of S-chassis cars.

Greg, can you elaborate on that? What is the other 10%?

[AZhitman]

Something like Brady Dohrmann's S14 (the one from American Touge 2).... 275/40 r-comps on all 4 corners...

[AZhitman]

spl kit shipped --550300zx calipers---250hawk pads-----70lines----50

from the get go willwood, but i started with just a plain 300zx setup, now i need to find a rear z setup.

and hawk pads suck ***.

When you break it down like that, it makes sense...

I paid about half that for my setup.

I'm really liking these EBC pads better than the Hawk HP's.