PICS - 300zx 4 piston brake conversion
04-28-2006, 07:33 AM
#1
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PICS - 300zx 4 piston brake conversion
There is good news and bads news. The good news is that I got my brakes on last night. The bad news is that one of the pistons is leaky, prolly due to my fault in rebuilding and so the pedal is mushy. Ill have to take em off and rebuild. But, they look REALLY cool!!! Ill keep you posted on the performance aspect when I fix the leak.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
04-28-2006, 07:35 AM
#2
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By the way, the difference in weight is HUGE!!! The stock iron ones have got to weigh near 15 lbs. These weigh about 6. And its soooooo easy to change pads in the 300zx brakes.
04-28-2006, 09:08 AM
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I swapped my original brakes back on so i can figure out why the zx brake caliper is leaking. Its only one, so Ill try to rebuild again.
The pads come out REALLY easy on the zx calipers.
The rotors are the stock ones - 12.6" I think?
When I test drove, the brakes are really smooth. Im sure they will be better when I fix the caliper problem.
The pads come out REALLY easy on the zx calipers.
The rotors are the stock ones - 12.6" I think?
When I test drove, the brakes are really smooth. Im sure they will be better when I fix the caliper problem.
04-28-2006, 09:44 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by DeusExMaxima
I swapped my original brakes back on so i can figure out why the zx brake caliper is leaking. Its only one, so Ill try to rebuild again.
The pads come out REALLY easy on the zx calipers.
The rotors are the stock ones - 12.6" I think?
When I test drove, the brakes are really smooth. Im sure they will be better when I fix the caliper problem.
The pads come out REALLY easy on the zx calipers.
The rotors are the stock ones - 12.6" I think?
When I test drove, the brakes are really smooth. Im sure they will be better when I fix the caliper problem.
04-28-2006, 10:29 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by DeusExMaxima
By the way, the difference in weight is HUGE!!! The stock iron ones have got to weigh near 15 lbs. These weigh about 6. And its soooooo easy to change pads in the 300zx brakes.
Wow, this is a big difference in weight, that 60lb vs 24lbs. Now help me understand, so the 300zx (not 350z) brake set up is a bigger rotor and caliper/pad set up. Resulting in better stopping and reduced weight.
As far the looks go, are the front rotors still noticably bigger than the back rotors.
And lastly, do drilled and/or slotted rotors give you the same weight reduction?
Dues you are definitely on the cutting edge, with about 4 other org members. Props to the Dues!
04-28-2006, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by NismoMax80
no jack stands?!?!?! 
The brake pads of the 300zx are smaller than the Maxima, but the zx has 4 pistons, thus greater clamping force. Also, the caliper is of a FIXED design rather than sliding, making for more solid braking. I dont expect to get much improvement in terms of braking distance, but I do expect a better feeling brakes and it looks WAAAAAY better than the fugly stock calipers. Its about a $500 conversion, including Hawk Pads, Stainless steel lines and painting the calipers. Its really a nice mod and doesnt cost much more than a regular brake job. ALso, replacing the pads is REEEALLY easy. ANd there are much more option available in terms of pads.
The calipers are 9 lbs or so lighter than the really heavy stock calipers so the total weight savings is about 18 pounds of UNSPRUNG weight, that is weight that goes up and down. That will help the suspension be more responsive and will lighten steering some too.
Now I just have to sort out the caliper rebuild situation. I plan to take them apart and rebuild them again, but Ill be really careful with the seals. I also need to touch up the paint and paint the letters bronze to match the rims.
04-29-2006, 05:27 AM
#21
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Rims
Deus just a quick question.
Is there any chance this set up will clear stock 18" wheels.
How much farther do these calipers stick out towards your spokes?
A comparison between stock and the 300ZX dimensionally would be cool.
Please let us know if you get a chance.
Take it easy!
04WHITESE
Is there any chance this set up will clear stock 18" wheels.
How much farther do these calipers stick out towards your spokes?
A comparison between stock and the 300ZX dimensionally would be cool.
Please let us know if you get a chance.
Take it easy!
04WHITESE
04-29-2006, 06:07 AM
#22
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Originally Posted by 04WHITESE
Deus just a quick question.
Is there any chance this set up will clear stock 18" wheels.
How much farther do these calipers stick out towards your spokes?
A comparison between stock and the 300ZX dimensionally would be cool.
Please let us know if you get a chance.
Take it easy!
04WHITESE
Is there any chance this set up will clear stock 18" wheels.
How much farther do these calipers stick out towards your spokes?
A comparison between stock and the 300ZX dimensionally would be cool.
Please let us know if you get a chance.
Take it easy!
04WHITESE
04-30-2006, 10:45 AM
#32
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Pic showing how easy it would be to replace pads. You pop off that wire retainer, pull out the two pins and unclip that top metal spring thing and out they come:
One more pic:
One more pic:
05-01-2006, 06:08 PM
#35
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I believe the bias will be fine. I still havent put it through its paces yet. I plan on putting the calipers back on this weekend after i rebuild again to see why one piston is leaking
05-02-2006, 12:46 PM
#37
Originally Posted by JoesRedMax
Hey Deus, that looks awesome. I'm in the process of purchasing the same brakes, could you hook me up with the adapters?
go here.
Kam
05-02-2006, 05:53 PM
#38
Deus, The looks of the bigger calipers really makes it look way more aggressive. Just one question/comment. What color did you paint those? It looks like a shade of lipstick a young girl would wear. Is it the brightness of the flash causing that? If they were a darker, fire engine red they would look better to me. Well, now that I gave you a backhanded compliment I should probably go hide. 
Keep up the good work. I am always interested to see what you do next.
Keep up the good work. I am always interested to see what you do next.
05-02-2006, 11:37 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by BadBlackMaxSL
Deus, The looks of the bigger calipers really makes it look way more aggressive. Just one question/comment. What color did you paint those? It looks like a shade of lipstick a young girl would wear. Is it the brightness of the flash causing that? If they were a darker, fire engine red they would look better to me. Well, now that I gave you a backhanded compliment I should probably go hide.
Keep up the good work. I am always interested to see what you do next.
Keep up the good work. I am always interested to see what you do next.
The caliper paint I used is Duplicolor Red. Its like a Porsche Guards red, a fire engine red. The camera has a hard time showing the actual color, but it is really nice in real life. The flash probably does distort the color somewhat. Ill remount the brakes and take day time pics.
05-03-2006, 11:19 PM
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I am re rebuilding the calipers. I took them totally apart this time and used lube to get pistons in. MUCH better. However, two seals were damaged. So Ill order a new kit and finish re rebuilding and mount the brakes back on and try it out.