Upgraded front brakes 300 zx calipers.

tsuper92

supra addict
Apr 7, 2005
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foreverpsycotic;1101713 said:
I am interested, just want to find out the final price and the minimum wheel sizing.
i have 3 set's of 17"wheel's that fit over them,probably the smallest to fit
 

got_boosted

I need a turbo! >:(
Mar 3, 2006
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Sacramento, CA
Alright guys, I'm prepared to start reproducing the "nightpager" brackets along with the proper centering rings to accommodate the 350Z track rotors. This should be a fairly straight forward process since I'll have brackets to start with for cloning purposes and the rings will be easy to measure for once the parts are in front of me. However, I have two complaints about this kit:

1. 300ZX brake calipers are becoming more difficult to find in good condition and the price of new/rebuilt ones is heading into the $100 per caliper range and higher. The required 350Z "track" rotors are also nearly $100 each for stock replacements, much more if you want a higher quality aftermarket rotor.

2. I'm still running on my stock wheels. Budgeting for a BBK also means that I'll need to budget for larger 17"+ wheels to clear the brakes which is going to take money that I wasn't otherwise planning on spending anytime soon.

So, it will cost roughly $280 for brackets and rings (this is a purely hypothetical price used only for this example) plus $200 for OE replacement 350Z track rotors and $300 for rebuilt calipers (including core charges). This comes to $780. Add another $50 for some decent pads and you're looking at $830. The benifits of the original nightpager kit are still here; it's a great budget BBK and you can still buy your replacement pads, calipers, and rotors and any auto parts store. However, I believe I have found a better option for the more budget minded buyer still looking for a great brake upgrade.

I have found a caliper that is very similar to the 300ZX caliper that is more readily available (in stock at most auto part stores) and costs half as much as a 300ZX caliper. It's also designed for a braking system that fits inside a 16" alloy wheel. The caliper is dimensionally very similar and the pads are almost identical. I have attatched a photo for comparison.

The benifits of this option:
- Can use stock-size rotors (no centering rings)
- Can use 16" wheels
- Parts are cheaper and easier to source

The benifits of the nightpager kit:
- 300ZX calipers weigh roughly 8lbs each. The calipers for my kit weigh in at about 13lbs, adding 5lbs of unsprung weight.
- The larger 350Z track rotors will provide more stopping power and stay cooler.

There's nothing that I can do about the extra weight of the caliper, but I do plan on producing a 2nd set of brackets to work with 350Z track rotors.

I believe that I can produce an even more cost effective brake upgrade using this easier to find and less expensive caliper that will work with stock rotors and 16" wheels. I will be purchasing a set of calipers and begin taking measurements for a bracket.

Who's interested in this one? :D

Collin
 

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blackgamer16

Supra Driver
Apr 27, 2005
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10secdream;1103692 said:
Put me down for a set of brackets and rings for the 300zx calipers using the 350z track rotors.

Also what year of 300zx turbo front calipers are needed?
90-96 Nissan 300zx any 30mm calipers either iron or alunium(sp) i think they're alunium thru the years of 90-92 or 90-93 cant remember when Nissan switched. All the info is in that link i put a couple pages back.


My vote: I'd prefer the 350z track rotors/ 300zx calipers.

So whats the name of the this "other" caliper and price?
 

got_boosted

I need a turbo! >:(
Mar 3, 2006
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Sacramento, CA
blackgamer16;1103753 said:
90-96 Nissan 300zx any 30mm calipers either iron or alunium(sp) i think they're alunium thru the years of 90-92 or 90-93 cant remember when Nissan switched. All the info is in that link i put a couple pages back.


My vote: I'd prefer the 350z track rotors/ 300zx calipers.

So whats the name of the this "other" caliper and price?

Doward;1103592 said:
Which car is that caliper from?

They are from a 1991 - 1995 4Runner 3.0 V6 and 1993 - 1998 T100 4WD. Cost is about $50 + core. I'll let you all know what I discover about this caliper. In the mean time, I'm going to get working on the 300ZX brake kit. I'll talk to my machinist tomorrow and firm things up.

Collin
 

wesbeech

Beech Performance Motorsports
Feb 26, 2006
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Akron Ohio
The price is not nailed down for sure but i can do the brackets for about 200 a pair if i can sell 10 in a group buy.
 

Zumtizzle

Can't Wait to Be King.
Oct 21, 2006
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you guys have my attention. :)

what are pad options?

Porterfield make Pads for the 4Runner?

How many pistons is the Caliper?

Also Are the 350Z track rotors coming from a Nissan dealer or a Jobber?
 

got_boosted

I need a turbo! >:(
Mar 3, 2006
608
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Sacramento, CA
Zumtizzle;1104428 said:
you guys have my attention. :)

what are pad options?

Porterfield make Pads for the 4Runner?

The important part is that Axxis makes their "Ultimate" ceramic/kevlar pad for them. :) I've been running those for two years on my stock brakes with brembo rotors and besides the fade after a stop or two from 120mph, it's the best braking performance I've ever hoped for. If a more efficient caliper can help with the fade issues, this will be the ultimate setup to match my goals.

I'm still up for producing the rings and brackets. I don't know if my price will be better or worse than from wesbeech, but I will be talking to my machinist tomorrow.

Collin
 

Zumtizzle

Can't Wait to Be King.
Oct 21, 2006
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350 w/Brembo/"Track" package has 12.76" inch rotors.

MK4 has 12.6" rotors.

MK3 has 11.885"

So this upgrade is most def worth it.

We'd also need to measure out a length for the lines so we can order Stainless Lines. :D
 

wesbeech

Beech Performance Motorsports
Feb 26, 2006
1,022
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Akron Ohio
ReQuieM;1104511 said:
Same length just different end,

Actuly randy form bic said it is the same end and everything you gust have to remove the small pin in the ss lines that locate it and it will bolt right up.
 

ReQuieM

malicious.com.au
I was about to ask how that would work but I get you. So your saying you remove the peg that the female toyota line attaches to and install that into the nissan calipers female coupling yeah?

Would make sense I guess, but I got my end changed to the nissan male end as I was getting lines made up anyway.