xA6x, xZ1x, xX7x + others FRONT AND REAR Brake Upgrade

[CrUZida]

Here is a cheap, and effective brake upgrade, for those with the above cars, who want to keep 4 stud wheels.

It uses
280x26mm Z32 300ZX rotors/calipers
280x30mm Z32 300ZX rotors/calipers (same calipers as above) or
296x30mm R33 Skyline rotors/calipers

All these above are easily available at wreckers, and new rotors can be picked up from RDA or DBA or where ever.

Ok, how do you do it you ask?
Let me tell you.

Take one standard hub.
Machine the outside down to 143mm (stock is about 156mm)
You get this



Make ring to make new rotor fit on hub (ring is on left of photo)

Heat fit ring to hub.
Install hub back on strut.
Place new rotor onto hub (after redrilling to 4x114.3)

Install new caliper and spacer. Bolt new brake line up.
And we are done.






Now, the outcomes of this are as follows.

Brake bias is pretty much factory.
There is negligable difference in piston area between factory calipers and Z32/R32/R33 4 spots.

You will increase the wheel track at the front by 16mm, as each rotor adds 8mm offset.
This could aid in the choice of new rims though.

You will need to choose rims carefully, one that will fit the new calipers.
15" rims WILL fit (on Z32/R32 discs)
My 15x6" +20 offset L-type Supra/MZ10 Soarer don't fit, but my stock MX73 15x6" +20 offset do.
You will need about 40mm from hub face to inside of spokes to fit these uber calipers.
Stock MX73 has about 45mm, MZ10 Soarer has about 30mm

She is close


Comparison of stock MX73 and Z32 280x30mm



Regarding new studs, you'll need to increase the length of the stud by 8mm
Using "Nice Products" (http://www.niceproducts.com.au)
S312 - LN36/RN105/YN60-67 Hilux, Most Drum Landcruisers (40-50-60-70 series), Most Magna's
listed as 45.2mm long

S312 ~ 9mm increase in length over standard.


How much does this all cost?
Here is what I paid.

Z32 Calipers - $240 posted, off EBay.
Z32 280x30mm slotted rotors, new - $100 each from RDA (http://www.rdabrakes.com.au)
Caliper rebuild kit - $70
EBC Greenstuff pads to suit above calipers - $175
New brake lines (2"-3" longer) - $50
Machining hubs - $50
Rings and spacer cost - $55
New hub seals - $10
New splitpins - $1
New 8mm longer studs - $30
New bolts with spring washers - $10

Total cost ~ $900

Not bad for NEW front brakes.

Rings and spacers are no longer available for purchase from me.
Remember you will need to get your hubs machined.

[CrUZida]

Stock MX73 disc compared to GTR disc.




Here are some pics of an R33 GTR disc with a Z32/R32 caliper.
You can order this adaptor from me instead of the Z32/R32/R33 adaptor.

[CrUZida]

Now to the rear.
This works with the Z32/R32/R33/R34 rear 2 spots and discs (as far as I can tell, they are all the same). GTR Brembo's are different however. So I can't guarantee that works.

As with the front upgrade, custom bits are required.

Now, the Nissan disc is 2mm wider than the factory disc, so straight away you'll increase track by 2mm per side.
I personally am going to use a 6mm spacer behind the disc, so that I have kept same increase of 8mm both front and rear.

It goes like this.

Redrill discs to 4 stud.
Machine up 6mm spacer to space disc out.
Obtain Ring/Adaptor from me as per front upgrade.
8mm longer studs as per front upgrade
Brake lines I'm yet to work out.
You'll need an extra pair of bolts/nuts per side too.

Regarding the handbrake, you'll need to get new 2mm thick material bonded to the factory shoes.
I'm not sure if they can bond to old shoes, or if you'll need to buy new ones.

Now onto the pics.
(Ignore the dodgy adaptor/washers, its a mockup.)






Ring is partially fitted here.

[ed]

whats the brake bias like?

stock master cyl?

[CrUZida]

Stock m/c at the moment yes.

Brake bias is pretty much factory.
There is negligable difference in piston area between factory calipers and Z32/R32/R33 4 spots.

I am yet to measure the rear caliper pistons though.

[Enchanter]

The only thing that worries me about conversions like this is the possibility of changing the front geometry for the worse. Obviously if the track is increased it will change, I don't really understand well enough to know if it will make a significant difference of not though
Anyone with good knowledge in this area around ??

Cheers

[CrUZida]

There is no difference between using a +16 offset wheel with this upgrade, compared to using the factory +8 offset wheel and factory brakes.

+8 extra track either side will only increase handling.

[Norbie]

My RA23 brake upgrade increased the front track by approx 18mm. The difference in steering feel and handling was quite noticeable, but it was a positive improvement.

[bbaacchhyy]

Hiya CrusZida,

Looks great. The rear brackets look very similar to the style that i used for the rear Merc discs.

What is the diameter of the 300ZX rear discs ?

The piston size for the 300ZX rear calipers is 1.50". The front pistons were 1.590" diameter. Bonding material to old shoes won't be an issue, as often tht is how they do it.

You have done very well here !!!

Can't wait to see the completed car

Cheers

Michael B

[CrUZida]

The 300ZX discs are 297x18.

I *was* going to get GTR rear discs (300mm) until I just realised they were 22mm wide, so no can use them until I get Brembo calipers.

[Draven]

and that'll have to wait till you have $1k+ just for the front calipers

[CrUZida]

Ya, this I know.
Hence, its not gonna happen.

[CrUZida]

Just measured the rear calipers (MA61 vs Z32)

Z32 - 38mm piston - 1134mm2 surface area
MA61 - 42.8mm piston - 1439mm2 surface area

So MA61 piston has 27% more surface area than the Z32.

I'm going to have to check with my engineer about these.
Not sure if that will affect bias too much.
Thoughts?

2 choices, either use MA61 caliper on Z32 disc, or use a Z32/R32 master cylinder.

[Norbie]

Methinks that will cause a noticeable increase in rear bias, which of course is bad.

You can't use an adjustable bias valve?

[CrUZida]

I probably can use an adjustable bias valve, but the question is, do I want to?

The factory pad seems to have more surface area, and with a larger piston area, it should bite harder.
All without fucking up the bias.

Something for me to think about for a bit...

[CrUZida]

I'd pretty much decided to adapt the stock calipers to the Z32 disc.
They are the same width, so fitment is no issue.

If anyone wants to buy the brackets I made (as seen in the pics) PM me.

If you guys want I can finish designing the brackets properly, and make them available for sale.

[Stefan]

[finally got approved so can post!]

I'm interested in a kit for the rear, if you develop it.

Are you still leaning towards using the stock calipers? If so, would I be able to grab some measurements to I can compare them to the solid disc rear calipers I have?

[CrUZida]

No!
No longer using the stock calipers.
I'm going to use a Skyline master cyl or brake bias valve, what ever they use for bias.

The Z32 rear calipers are going on.



Which kit would you want? stock calipers + z32 discs, or all z32?

[Draven]

matter of curiosity... why did you end up going for skyline rears (thus necessitating new mast cyl, bias valve etc) over the bigger stock calipers, which work with the stock m/c ?

apart from the fact that GTR stuff will be a bolt up for when you're rich.

[CrUZida]

For the bling!

Nah, plus, on the engineering report, it will be all Skyline on the brake system part of it, should make it easier.