Z32 Caliper Upgrade for the Q

[96'er]

Is there a substantial difference upgrading the stock Q45 calipers to the Z32 calipers? Is it weight savings and larger piston?

Will all Z32 calipers work on the 94-96 Q's or are there specific model/years that I need to look for for my 1996 Q.

Thanks.

[Q45tech]

The rotors are the same diameter, although the 300zxtt is 30mm or 2mm thicker mostly by blank air space................they are approximately equal not significant less than 1/2 pound or 2%.

ABS is the primary factor after tire softness in stopping distances as The oem brakes were sufficient to stop in 129 feet [with oem tires and pads].

Every ABS cycle loses 1/10 of a second in stopping! One can be 9 feet from 60. The point is imbalance in system might make things worse.

I doubt that 4 pistons vs 2 will make any meaningful difference since the 2 non floters act like 4 floaters.

Watch out for early aluminum 4 calipers [that fit 26mm rotors] as they bent understress and overheated and were upgraded to iron in later 300zx units.

Remember the Q was 400+ pounds heavier so the brakes were more robust at least in 80 mph panic stops.

[Rex]

One of the real advantages of swapping over to the Z32 rotors and calipers is the greater number of "performance brake pads" on the market. Softer = better = more dust. And faster wear.

[96'er]

Thanks for the information Q45tech.

[AlabamaDan]

I think the Z32 upgrade looks cool, but doesn't really improve performance. Isn't that what Jeff Williams did?

[Kiven422]

I read somewhere that Z32 brakes won't fit on Qs with stock 15" BBS wheels because of their offset doesn't allow enough room to clear it.

I put some 16" wheels on my Q... how can I measure offset to make sure I can clear a Z32 brake upgrade?

The Q's brakes stop fairly fast but the problem is that they overheat too quickly. I find it kind of fishy that a Q recieved the highest sport luxury ratings for its time when the brakes fade on the 2nd - 3rd hard stop. How do they manage to take this thing around the track. Does the Z32 brakes withstand heat well?

[Q45tech]

Weight difference lowers rotor temperature and and 300zx had air deflection panels mounted on tension rods to cool rotors [at speed].

Learn to calculate the rotor temperature rise from a stop. It is simple math a function of start speed and weight vs ROTOR WEIGHT.

All that counts is rotor weight and ducting air flow to cool after the fact. In a 2.5-3 sec panic stop [from 60-70] not enough time [not enough air flow in psi] to cool via ducts so rotor weight is all that counts.

Q is not a track car it was designed to be driven by a RICH man who made $120k in 90 or $150K in 1994.