Z32 Brake upgrade

[seyath]

Before I get flamed about opening another thread about the same topic, let me just say that I did use the search and it only confused me more.I'm looking to re-do my brakes and I had ruled out the Z32 upgrade because I thought it wouldn't fit my stock 7-spoke rims. However I read a thread in the General Chat Section about the VH45DETT swap in a Z32 and when I went to RB240's cardomain's page, I saw that his project Silvia was sporting the 4-pot calipers yet it was riding on stockies! WTF?So here is my question: Will or Won't the Z32 fit on the the stock 15' rims in a '91 S13? Will I have issues with the offset? Will I need spacers? if so what size?The brakes are getting worse every day and before I go and blow everything on stock size rotors, pads and S.S. Lines, I would like to have a definite answer so instead I can look into the upgrade.Thanks for your help.

[c-rad]

Here is the deal....you need a particular S13 wheel. There were two manufacturers of the S13 7-spoke alloy. Here are pics of the two....

This is the back of the bad rim that will NOT clear the 26mm brakes:

And here is the back of the good rim that WILL clear the 26mm brakes...

Here is a full pic of the back of my wheel which WILL clear the brakes...

[seyath]

Ok, So i just removed my wheels and I'm glad to say that I will soon be having Z32 brakes up front! . I just have a few more questions before I go out and get all the components necessary. You said that the wheels will clear the 26mm caliper. Did they come in any other size (smaller or larger) that I should watch out for?How will I be able to tell the difference?What is the main difference between alluminum and steel calipers (other than weight)?And finally, Should I bother and replace the Master Cylinder from the start or is it something that can wait? Will the stock S13 MC be able to handle 10 pistons?Thanks for your help once again!

[c-rad]

The 26mm calipers came ONLY on the '90 non-turbo. That's how you can tell. Physically the channel the rotor goes through is smaller. The calipers never came in steel... They came in iron. Cast iron comes in at around $0.09 a pound, so it's CHEAP so that's probably why they switched over. Also, the iron ones only came in 30mm. You CAN use the S13 M/C but the pedal will be mushy. Your best bet is to upgrade to a 15/16 M/C or larger.

[seyath]

Damn, so it's going to be a pain in the *** finding the right calipers, huh? I guess I better start the hunting now because I don't think that my current brakes will hold on much longer. The rotors are beginning to warp.

[skydragoness]

The 26mm calipers came ONLY on the '90 non-turbo. That's how you can tell. Physically the channel the rotor goes through is smaller. The calipers never came in steel... They came in iron. Cast iron comes in at around $0.09 a pound, so it's CHEAP so that's probably why they switched over. Also, the iron ones only came in 30mm. You CAN use the S13 M/C but the pedal will be mushy. Your best bet is to upgrade to a 15/16 M/C or larger.

Becareful though, because i heard that the 90' or real early z32's used aluminum calipers which warped due to heat, *then* they switched to cast iron calipers. They're heavy mofos, so plan on getting some lightweight rims to help alleviate some of that unsprung weight up front.

[Dirtylou]

Aren't you running the 26mm calipers? I thought you were for some reason.

[skydragoness]

Yes I am. They fit behing my 7spokers, but by this <----------> much clearance. Pretty damn close i think. They are awesome though, the best mod i ever done.

[Ender_Zero]

http://importnut.net/300zxbrakeswap.htmthis site has some great info. check it out

[seyath]

That is an awesome link guys. Thanks so much. For those of you who have completed the swap, where did you purchase the calipers? I'm thinking Autozone but I will go through the junkyards first.

[virus77]

26 mm aluminum ones are the lightest and with the weight difference between a z32 and our cars, they will never warp.

[seyath]

From what I am getting, the 26mm calipers only came in Aluminum. Correct me if I am wrong.

[crzycav86]

You are correct...

I suggest you get some remanufactured brakes from oreilly's/autozone. Turn in your stock brakes as a core a week or two after you do your swap, and they won't be able to tell the difference. The cost for the calipers turns out to be a little over $200 after the refund, IIRC... the price really isn't that bad. Remember that these "26mm" calipers are actually named so for its 26mm thick rotor. Get the 26mm rotor, not the 30mm one. Don't forget that you need to drill the rotors to 4-lug. Also, don't forget brake conversion lines(SPL makes the best), pads, and fluid.

Swap is very easy.

[skydragoness]

26 mm aluminum ones are the lightest and with the weight difference between a z32 and our cars, they will never warp.

correct. On big ol' z32's though......

[seyath]

I was thinking of getting the rotors online. Maybe some Brembo blanks, Axis brake pads and the SPL conversion lines. Anybody knows which paint/technique is the best for painting rotors?I'm thinking either black with white letters, red with white letters, or gold with black letters(350Z style).

[crzycav86]

I was thinking of getting the rotors online. Maybe some Brembo blanks, Axis brake pads and the SPL conversion lines. Anybody knows which paint/technique is the best for painting rotors?I'm thinking either black with white letters, red with white letters, or gold with black letters(350Z style).

You don't paint rotors. You can paint the calipers, but it's just extra unnecessary work.

[hannibal]

I think 26mm rotors are harder to find than the 30mm ones.

SPL has lines for $45 per axle, best price Ive seen...

[crzycav86]

I think 26mm rotors are harder to find than the 30mm ones.

SPL has lines for $45 per axle, best price Ive seen...

That's true because it was only made for one year. That's why he's better off getting the rebuilt ones.

[seyath]

DOH! I meant painting the calipers.... sound like a super noob! No, I want to paint them because my current ones are red and I kinda like it so I figured I'd give the Z32's the same treatment. So I went to check the local Autozones and they seel the calipers for $89 each... but of course they have nothing on stock, so I have to figure out how I am going to get my hands on some before my brakes completely call it quits.

[crzycav86]

It should only take a few days for them to get it. How long was their ETA?

[Ren]

how could you guys get oe calipers from autozone? I asked them, and they only had the 2 pistons ones for the front?

[Nismo_Freak]

Becareful though, because i heard that the 90' or real early z32's used aluminum calipers which warped due to heat, *then* they switched to cast iron calipers.

I no longer buy into the warped aluminum caliper issue.

Mainly because I have numerous friends that have given these brakes heavy heavy track usage with Hawk Blues, etc. and have never had issues with caliper warpage. I can't see how within 10 - 20k of driving Nissan decided to opt for the cast iron calipers apart from apparant cost differences between the two.

These are on street driven Z32 twin turbos btw.

[seyath]

OK, so the first caliper was delivered today... Only the first? Yeah, why would Autozone put a 17yo high school nerd in charge of shipping is beyond me...Anyway, I'm looking to get Brembo blanks and Hawk Pads. Are the pads universal for both the 26mm and the 30mm caliper. No one web site shows difference between them so I just want to make sure before I order anything... Thanks for your help.

[RichthePoser]

same part # means the same part...

Rich

Did autozone get you aluminum 4-pot calipers? or iron?

Rich