Kevin Wong

It's been a few years since I've been here, but I was wondering if it's feasible to add ABS components to my non-ABS Maxima. Two years ago, my brakes locked going down a hill during road construction....everybody merged into my lane and SMACK, the damage was done. So in the future, I though it'd be a nice feature to have. Last time I checked (several years ago), the census was that it was too expensive to do though not impossible. Has anyone does this since?

vsamoylov

yes it is possible but you will need alot of thigns. it would be easier to sell your max and get a max with abs or just upgrade your brakes/tires.

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Nothing has changed over the past few years...... adding ABS to your car is way too expensive, too time consuming, and requires expert knowledge. Get some hawk pads and really sticky tires and call it a day. Or, buy a Maxima with ABS.

When you got in your accident, did you have some sticky Z rated tires? Tires are just as important, if not more important, than ABS.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Best advice in this thread!

sean05

iTrader: (13)

tires are very important but if you want stopping power get a Big Brake Kit. For whay you gonna pay with time sweat and money for abs you could save some money and get a nice break kit. If you go this route you have a few options. Could get a Stillen Brake Kit. Or do a swap from the 300zx. I did the hard research for you:

* Brembo Big Brake Kit
o Description: Requires 17 inch wheels, make sure with the manufacturer that your wheels will fit, otherwise you might need spacers. Features 12.9 inch diameter rotors.
o Cheapest price: $2195 at http://www.cattman.com/

* Stillen/AP Racing Big Brake Kit
o Description: Requires 17 inch wheels, make sure with the manufacturer that your wheels will fit, otherwise you might need spacers. Rotors are 13.1 inches in diameter.
o Cheapest price: $2,299.99 from http://www.southwestautoworks.com/

* Fastbrakes Big Brake Kit
o Description: Requires 17 inch wheels, make sure with the manufacturer that your wheels will fit, otherwise you might need spacers. Rotors are 12.2 inches in diameter.
o Cheapest price: $999.95 from http://www.fastbrakes.com/

* Wilwood Superlite Big Brake Kit
o Description: An affordable big brake kit featuring 12.2 inch diameter rotors, will fit under the stock 97-99 16 inch SE rims.
o Cheapest price $1,009.99 from http://www.southwestautoworks.com/

* BlehmCo Big Brake Kit
o Description: Requires 17 inch wheels. An very affordable big brake kit featuring 12.6 inch diameter rotors. Made from off the shelf parts including a rotor from a 2004 Maxima and 300zx calipers, and uses 300zx brake pads.
o Cheapest price $525 for everything except the calipers. Calipers and hardware an additional $350 http://www.mattblehm.com/brakes.html


Here is a post from the modification FAQs:
Can I add ABS to my car?
Doable but very costly.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=68575

Good luck!

slimer

iTrader: (13)

what about the cobra brake kit? I'm looking at eradispeed two-piece rotors for mine.

PatDezNuts

iTrader: (1)

My maxima wasn't able to stop either untill I changed the pads to hawks and a nice set of tires. It was amazing the difference I felt in the new tires, tires = #1 mod because they are what actually touches the street.

talisman311

About BBKs:
Awhile ago I read in sport compact magazine regarding big brake kits. Their tests proved that cars actually stopped farther in relation to non-bbk upgraded cars. Their reasoning is that while there is more stopping power in the front, the rear brakes proportioning valve is still functioning at stock pressures making them almost useless. It feels like you're stopping faster because of the reduced effort, but in reality when you slam on your brakes the BBK doesn't compensate for the stopping power of both the front and rear factory brakes working in harmony.

Any comments?

slimer

iTrader: (13)

thats why there is a rear bbk with rear zx calipers and rotors.

talisman311

Ah.... learn something new everyday

deezo

iTrader: (3)

I would think that adding larger rotor will use less force when stopping being that the rotor has a diameter that is closer to the overall diameter of the tire itself. Plus there's more usable surface to use.

Imagine having a 20" wheels with our stock rotors. That config will overheat the brakes because more force is needed to stop large diameter wheels/tires.

MaximaInCT203

wow didnt know it was possible-learn something new every day in this forum

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Yeah what about the Jeff92se cobra bbk?

Thahman

i wish it were easier.

Kevin Wong

Yep, I wish it were easier too. I actually do and did have the Brembo GT BBK with 2-piece rotors with a set of Potenza RE030 tires (I think the tires really suck, yet Lexus uses them as OE). I was driving downhill about a miles away from home (tires and brakes were cold), and they locked up on me...leaving a 7 foot skid mark using both front tires. I hit the p/u truck in front of me at about 5MPH, but the damage really sucked. His truck had a 2" lift and my Maxima has a 1.5" drop. My grille/headlights/hood hit his bumper and there went my radiator/condenser/core support. Everything is fully intact and I was able to drive the Maxima back home. Anyways, I bought a 2001 VW Golf TDI (Turbodiesel...50MPG on vegetable oil is pretty frickkin' sweet) in the mean time while I mentally recover from crashing my Maxima. I love the ABS on the VW and wish the Maxima had it as well. I took the Maxima autocrossing once with the BBK and track tires....braking was amazing, but with my Potenzas on the street...obviously wasn't a good thing. Well, thanks for your responses. I'll ditch the ABS idea and move on.

vsamoylov

yrah the kit looks good and all but the one thing i dont like is the contact patch. the caliper doesnt sit close to the center leaving a part of the rotor that the pad doesnt touch.

XeroX

iTrader: (13)

i noticed that during the install as well...oh well, still 4x better than stock.. haha

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Look at your stock rotors. The pad doesn't cover the whole thing either. You dont' notice it because the untouched part rusts. So I guess the stock rotors might not be up your standards. hehe

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

This kit will give you ALL the front brake you need. In fact to finish it off, you should consider Matt93se's rear kit also.

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

just get some good hawk pads....coem brembo blanks....and some stickty hoosiers......i mean nittos NT555's

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

and brake fade. Those things will help. But it's not on the same level as a bbk.

XeroX

iTrader: (13)

just saving up

I will do that after my 5spd swap...thats first on the priority list right now...

vsamoylov

i was browsing on ebay and i found these? can these be used as a alternative to the 300zx tt calipers? and is there any difference between the rotors . what i mean is that is the cobra rotors the only ones you can use? the reason for all these questions is that i am going to start collecting parts. anybody want to fill me in on what i need?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

I think those skylines ones are identical but I'm not sure. Don't know why you want to continue to ice skate up hill when the Cobra rotor, 300zx system is probably one of the cheapest ways to get a 4 piston bbk. the 300zx 30mm aluminum calipers are cheap enough to get on ebay etc.... You are going to have to spend some $, here. No real way of avoiding that.

BTW you using the maxima wheels? Those won't come close to cutting it for clearance.

vsamoylov

yeah i am currently using 2k2 17 wheels. thats the problem. i need to upgrade my brakes but dont have enough loot to spend on rims and tires.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Ugh, well after flaming my kit and me killing my own sale, I'll give you some advice.

I'm not 100% but look into using the 2k4 maxima rotors and calipers. Should be bolt on. They are a large single piston caliper but it's a decent upgrade. Or reasearch the Q45 or J30 rotor / 2 piston setup. Again 2 piston but they are on the inside. So the the chances at clearance is greatest with these. But since the Q and J are rwd, you will most likely have to mill the diameter of the rotor down to fit the maxima. Ala the orginial 300zx caliper and rotor swap from years ago.

vsamoylov

yeah i am looking into the 2k4 rotors because i am currently running 2k2 rotors and calipers. i just need something because my brakes are dead completly.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

You can use the 2k4 rotors and your stock calipers. Matt93se sells the kit hardware to do this I think.

Frank Fontaine

Go to a chain shop, and tell them you want ABS brakes installed at any cost. You may or may not be surpised to find that they cannot help you. It's like asking them to remove your catalytic converter. If you want ABS, buy a vehicle with ABS from the factory. Or a used car.

What's next, installing our own stability controls and adaptive cruise?