It's getting time to replace my brakes, and I am interested in paying slightly more for increased performance. What are cost-effective options for me to upgrade my brakes? I want to spend more, but not a lot more as my car is basically stock. I think I just need to replace the pads, but may need to replace the calipers and/or rotors as well..

 

I would go with one of Jeffs or Matts kits.

 

can you please post links, as the forums no longer support search function for non-paying members

 

If you specify your spending limit... we could give you a better idea...

Best bang for buck would be good pads... Stillens is giving a free set of pads with Rotor purchase:
Just mention "WHOAPOWER" to your STILLEN sales representative or add the pads and rotors to your cart on the website and enter it into the coupon code box during checkout**. Offer ends July 31st.

For under $1K matt's site: http://mattblehm.com/brakes.htm

or you can go BBK for $2K up...

 

buy some pbr/axxis ultimates. cost effective and low dust i hear. i bought some a little while ago, i was sick of the dust from the previous brakes pbr/axxis metal masters.

 

Keep in mind that unless you're anticipating doing multiple, successive, hard braking applications from high speed (which would bring on brake-fade), your stock brakes are more than capable of locking up the wheels (even with wider wheels and high-performance tires). So it begs the question, what is it about your car's braking performance that you want to increase?

 

do what i did, get some brembo cross drilled replacement (same as oem size) and get the pbr/axxis metal master brake pads (semi metallic) GREAT for highway stops

 

Unless you are doing auto-x, just put some stock sized brembo rotors on (can be bought fairly cheap in the group deal forum), and some Akebono pads. I had metal masters, they griped really good for a bit then glazed over and trashed my rotors so I would stay away from those.

 

Will better brakes stop my car quicker? That's what I want..

 

I would go with brembo blanks, stainless steel lines with axxiss MM pads. Great setup and shouldn't cost you much, it was going strong on my car for 2 years then i sold the car.

 

Blank rotors
Stainless steel brake lines
Hawk HPS pads
Valvoline Brake fluid

 

stainless steel brake lines probably wont help much at all... some have said its a placibo effect... some say it makes it less spungy feel. regardless, they are like around 100$ and for no added performance, its not worth it, not even for a stiffer pedal.

no need for drilled rotors, a waste of money and slotted rotors really are not any great advantage either.

i +1 to the guy suggesting the valvoline brake fluid, thats good stuff!

 

what i would do is

1. Ebay: look for 300zx Calipers.
2. Automax_95: Brakelines and 300zx pads.
3. Paint your Brakes. (good paint)
4. Ebay: 13" Cobra rotor
5. Get the Brakets.
6. Rims: 30mm to 35mm offset.
7. Brake Fluid: Flush your old fluid and use DOT 3/4, or DOT4

youre done, and you total is ABOUT 1200$ depends what kind of rims you get.

 

Its NOT only brakes but TIRES also.

 

I'm glad that stainless steel braided brake lines were mentioned, but I have to disagree with the placebo effect that was mentioned eariler. With almost 200,000 kilometers (12000 miles apx) on my car the stock rubber lines were very soft and very flexible. Under hard braking, I believe that the line would/did expand. Now, with the stainless steel line, I have noticed a firmer pedal feel and I feel confident that all the hydraulic pressure is being applied to the brake pads and all of that energy is being used to stop the car.
Cross drilled and slotted rotors they look good and that's about it. Because surface area is removed from the disc, it will actually take longer to stop the car with this type of disc.
New Brake fluid will make a world of difference.
Tires will hep too but that will get really costly because you want to look for a set of high preformance summer tires then you'll want rims to finish the look.
Pads will help to and as stated eariler, stay away from the axis pbr ult cermaic way too much friggen dust. I hate mine and have to clean my rims every other day.