A34 Caliper/Rotor Upgrade for 5.5
11-12-2007, 06:58 AM
#1
A34 Caliper/Rotor Upgrade for 5.5
For those who have done this.....
I am considering this upgrade.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade in braking performance for the Max??
Is the additional stopping power noticeable??
I'm literally more interested in the larger rotors ability to dissipate more heat, and therefore reduce instance of pad material transfer. But this is subjective, and specific to each driver and their driving style/conditions, etc.
It seems that I can buy the parts for around $300-$350. I can install them myself, that's no problem.
Just looking for some input from you guys who have done this already.
Please let me know how many miles you have on the new setup, and what type of pads and tires you run.
Thanks,
gr
I am considering this upgrade.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade in braking performance for the Max??
Is the additional stopping power noticeable??
I'm literally more interested in the larger rotors ability to dissipate more heat, and therefore reduce instance of pad material transfer. But this is subjective, and specific to each driver and their driving style/conditions, etc.
It seems that I can buy the parts for around $300-$350. I can install them myself, that's no problem.
Just looking for some input from you guys who have done this already.
Please let me know how many miles you have on the new setup, and what type of pads and tires you run.
Thanks,
gr
11-12-2007, 11:21 AM
#3
11-12-2007, 04:00 PM
#7
01-23-2008, 07:59 AM
#10
One more time....
BUmp -
Anybody else who's done this mod care to chime-in on the difference in stopping power/feel vs. the OEM a33 brakes??
Again - not concerned about the additional weight of the assembly - just the stopping power and feel.
I've now forgotten -- what's the difference in Rotor Diameter between the a33 & a34?? I know it was just under 1" larger dia on the a34....but can't remember the exact dims. -- something like 12.4" vs. 11.75"
thanks,
gr
Anybody else who's done this mod care to chime-in on the difference in stopping power/feel vs. the OEM a33 brakes??
Again - not concerned about the additional weight of the assembly - just the stopping power and feel.
I've now forgotten -- what's the difference in Rotor Diameter between the a33 & a34?? I know it was just under 1" larger dia on the a34....but can't remember the exact dims. -- something like 12.4" vs. 11.75"
thanks,
gr
Last edited by ghostrider17; 01-23-2008 at 08:05 AM.
01-23-2008, 08:33 AM
#11
Some links to past discussions here, if you haven't already seen them.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=399218
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=399218
01-23-2008, 09:02 AM
#12
Some links to past discussions here, if you haven't already seen them.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=399218
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=399218
I was being lazy for the answer.....but not the opinions.
gr
01-24-2008, 06:24 PM
#13
IIRC these weigh 16lbs (a34 size), 1lb lighter than 5th gen stockers, and about 8 lbs less than stock a34 rotors....
and yes, you can REALLY feel the difference in weight.
---
as to your original question, I (long ago) had the full a34 setup on my 5th gen. Braking was indeed improved, and if you use good pads (Hawk HPS) you won't have any fade or uneven material buildup problems.
but you WILL feel the difference in teh weight, trust me.
01-24-2008, 08:07 PM
#14
Okay -Okay....I'll bite: Where'd you get 'em and how much???
gr
IIRC these weigh 16lbs (a34 size), 1lb lighter than 5th gen stockers, and about 8 lbs less than stock a34 rotors....
and yes, you can REALLY feel the difference in weight.
---
as to your original question, I (long ago) had the full a34 setup on my 5th gen. Braking was indeed improved, and if you use good pads (Hawk HPS) you won't have any fade or uneven material buildup problems.
but you WILL feel the difference in teh weight, trust me.
gr
IIRC these weigh 16lbs (a34 size), 1lb lighter than 5th gen stockers, and about 8 lbs less than stock a34 rotors....
and yes, you can REALLY feel the difference in weight.
---
as to your original question, I (long ago) had the full a34 setup on my 5th gen. Braking was indeed improved, and if you use good pads (Hawk HPS) you won't have any fade or uneven material buildup problems.
but you WILL feel the difference in teh weight, trust me.
01-25-2008, 05:17 AM
#16
01-25-2008, 08:12 PM
#17
I think he has a few sets left, and I think he'd sell them for less than that. I won't say how much I paid, but it wasn't $600 IIRC....
It's funny though. People will pay $1000 to get some bling-bling not-even-that-lightweight wheels, or spend $1000 on amps and subs, but they won't pay $500 for a super-lightweight rotor set made by Coleman that are far lighter and far superior in strength and venting to stockers or Brembo blanks or frozen rotors, etc...
And these things are just as bling-bling as your SSRs, trust me
It's funny though. People will pay $1000 to get some bling-bling not-even-that-lightweight wheels, or spend $1000 on amps and subs, but they won't pay $500 for a super-lightweight rotor set made by Coleman that are far lighter and far superior in strength and venting to stockers or Brembo blanks or frozen rotors, etc...
And these things are just as bling-bling as your SSRs, trust me
01-25-2008, 08:26 PM
#18
Originally Posted by irish44j
I think he'd sell them for less than that.
Refer to: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...postcount=1039
01-26-2008, 05:26 AM
#19
Any idea what brand rotors you bought? What pads are/were you running??
Inquiring minds want to know~!
gr
01-26-2008, 06:36 AM
#20
put the proper pads on the A34s and they won't "warp". your problem is uneven pad deposits.
and I still have a few sets of the 2-pc rotors left. They'll be $600 shipped to IA.
Also keep in mind that replacement rotors are in the neighborhood of $130 each- haven't gotten a quote on a single set from Coleman in a while, but one set of these rotors has lasted me though over 6 years of heavy street driving and track use on my car.. So it's not like you'll be needing to replace them next fall or anything. They'll last longer than $600 worth of OEM rotors.
and I still have a few sets of the 2-pc rotors left. They'll be $600 shipped to IA.
Also keep in mind that replacement rotors are in the neighborhood of $130 each- haven't gotten a quote on a single set from Coleman in a while, but one set of these rotors has lasted me though over 6 years of heavy street driving and track use on my car.. So it's not like you'll be needing to replace them next fall or anything. They'll last longer than $600 worth of OEM rotors.
01-26-2008, 06:41 AM
#21
Thanks Matt.
I'd LOVE to get a set of these, but right now - it's not in the budget.
I'm not doing much upgrading to my ride, mostly "downgrading".
AFter dropping $400 on a wheel bearing+Hub, and now another $100 on the ABS sensor....I kinda shot my wad on bling-bling for the max!
Those things ARE sweet though....
gr
I'd LOVE to get a set of these, but right now - it's not in the budget.
I'm not doing much upgrading to my ride, mostly "downgrading".
AFter dropping $400 on a wheel bearing+Hub, and now another $100 on the ABS sensor....I kinda shot my wad on bling-bling for the max!
Those things ARE sweet though....
gr
01-26-2008, 06:58 AM
#22
yeah, I know the feeling.
1 month ago, I was hoping to spend my christmas bonus on a roll cage for my 240 so i can go racing...
Then I found out the house needs $10k in repairs..
and my dog needs a $4500 hip replacement...
and I also have a $2000 dental bill to repair chipped toof.
blammo.
1 month ago, I was hoping to spend my christmas bonus on a roll cage for my 240 so i can go racing...
Then I found out the house needs $10k in repairs..
and my dog needs a $4500 hip replacement...
and I also have a $2000 dental bill to repair chipped toof.
blammo.
01-26-2008, 05:42 PM
#23
OT - dog hips....
What kind of dog??
You're like the second guy in two weeks to complain of that here..!
I don't think I could spend that much money on a dog - but I've only had my Dobie for a year now -- who knows what I'd do if it came down to it.
gr
You're like the second guy in two weeks to complain of that here..!
I don't think I could spend that much money on a dog - but I've only had my Dobie for a year now -- who knows what I'd do if it came down to it.
gr
01-26-2008, 06:17 PM
#24
01-26-2008, 06:21 PM
#25
That's better than my a33's with OEM Pads that were warping every 5k miles! Strangely, I haven't had the "warping" issue since installing the Hawks'.
I have two sets of rotors (a33) that I've resurfaced twice each in 60k miles....
I'm excited to get the a34 setup on my car -- hopefully this will be the last set of rotors I put on this car. 16lbs. of additional reciprocating mass BE DAMNED!!!
gr
I have two sets of rotors (a33) that I've resurfaced twice each in 60k miles....
I'm excited to get the a34 setup on my car -- hopefully this will be the last set of rotors I put on this car. 16lbs. of additional reciprocating mass BE DAMNED!!!
gr
01-26-2008, 10:19 PM
#26
dog is a black lab. it's a hereditary thing with them. if you go to buy a registered lab, their bloodlines will actually be graded on their hip quality. any dog that's born with bad hips is generally neutered/spayed immediately before they can reproduce and make more dogs with bad hips and continue passing on the defect. BUT.. I bought a $50 dog from some dude in a trailer park.. just a lab for a pet- nothing special..... and here I am 6 months later trying to figure out how to pay for him. poor guy. not his fault he's defective.
Back to the subject... The reason your A33 rotors are doing better is because of the hawk pads. the rotors weren't warping with the stock pads- they were getting uneven deposits on them from the crap OEM pads. put some decent pads on them and the stock brakes will do quite a bit better, as you're finding out.
Back to the subject... The reason your A33 rotors are doing better is because of the hawk pads. the rotors weren't warping with the stock pads- they were getting uneven deposits on them from the crap OEM pads. put some decent pads on them and the stock brakes will do quite a bit better, as you're finding out.
01-27-2008, 05:19 AM
#27
Sorry about the dog, Matt....that's tough.
I understand about "warping" and the dreaded PMT (pad material transfer) I've been thru enough sets to understand the difference now!
I was considering an alternative to the Hawks - but they're so damn good, I doubt I will.
If something's good, then stick with it!
gr
I understand about "warping" and the dreaded PMT (pad material transfer) I've been thru enough sets to understand the difference now!
I was considering an alternative to the Hawks - but they're so damn good, I doubt I will.
If something's good, then stick with it!
gr
01-27-2008, 06:19 AM
#28
Yeah.. The Hawks are a great everyday pad. when you go to the track, you'll need something a bit beefier. But for daily driving and auto X, the HPS is hard to beat.
Axxis MM isn't bad either, but has a bit of an issue on cold stops. if you're up in IA, your winters are cold enough you probably don't want to run the MMs in winter.
Axxis MM isn't bad either, but has a bit of an issue on cold stops. if you're up in IA, your winters are cold enough you probably don't want to run the MMs in winter.
04-09-2008, 05:12 AM
#32
6 bills for rotors is a bit much.. but they are damn sweet. if i had the money to spend i would definitely get 2 piece roors but im not baller like irish lol. anyone use frozen rotors or stoptech/centric sportstop rotors or stoptech aero 2 piece rotors?
04-09-2008, 05:16 AM
#33
6 bills is outta my budget fofr a new set of rotors. those 2 piece rotors are nice but im not baller like irish lol. anyone use frozen rotors or centric/stoptech sportstop slotted or stoptech aero 2 piece?
stupid crap nissan pads.. did the upgrade around the time irish did the upgrade about 3 years ago. warped rotors blow
stupid crap nissan pads.. did the upgrade around the time irish did the upgrade about 3 years ago. warped rotors blow
04-09-2008, 06:00 AM
#34
6 bills is outta my budget fofr a new set of rotors. those 2 piece rotors are nice but im not baller like irish lol. anyone use frozen rotors or centric/stoptech sportstop slotted or stoptech aero 2 piece?
stupid crap nissan pads.. did the upgrade around the time irish did the upgrade about 3 years ago. warped rotors blow
stupid crap nissan pads.. did the upgrade around the time irish did the upgrade about 3 years ago. warped rotors blow
Plan on repeating this process in another 30-50k miles, depending how you drive.
gr
04-09-2008, 07:42 AM
#35
ha yeah i know. was looking into centric posiquiet ceramics or axxis deluxe+. if iknew the factory pads sucked *** i wouldnt have gotten them. im happy that they have lasted this long and i still have about 40-50 percent left of pad material. well now i know its all about break-in and better pads and not holding brakes at a stop. just vibrations from high speed is scary son. maybe centric premiums and one of those pad sets will do the trick
04-09-2008, 07:57 AM
#36
FWIW, my Hawk HPS and RTP blanks (all 6th Gen, of course) have been pretty good, even from high speeds. Then again, I've only had them for about 1000 miles now, so maybe I shouldn't comment so soon.
04-09-2008, 08:12 AM
#38
Here's how they looked when they were first installed:
04-11-2008, 07:14 AM
#39
A34 Impressions -- too soon.
I've only got about 500 miles on my A34 setup with Hawks, but they seem to be getting better and better.
Haven't hammered on them - but getting progressively agressive as I put more miles on them.
I still need to bleed one more time to improve pedal feel - but overall, these larger rotors are ROCK SOLID. As they SHOULD be.
I personally don't notice a HUGE improvement in initial bite and stopping "feel", but it DOES seem to haul down the car from speed with less effort thru the system...ie: I don't feel like I'm using ALL of the stopping power to get the car slowed....It feels as if there's ALOT more power LEFT to stop EVEN quicker if I want to.
I also noticed, the ABS doesn't kick-on as soon or frequently now....I tested it yesterday on some very wet roads. Oh, and still running Falken Ziex 512's, with about 17k on them -- a little less than half tread left, still doing well though! Pretty decent tire in the wet.
gr
Haven't hammered on them - but getting progressively agressive as I put more miles on them.
I still need to bleed one more time to improve pedal feel - but overall, these larger rotors are ROCK SOLID. As they SHOULD be.
I personally don't notice a HUGE improvement in initial bite and stopping "feel", but it DOES seem to haul down the car from speed with less effort thru the system...ie: I don't feel like I'm using ALL of the stopping power to get the car slowed....It feels as if there's ALOT more power LEFT to stop EVEN quicker if I want to.
I also noticed, the ABS doesn't kick-on as soon or frequently now....I tested it yesterday on some very wet roads. Oh, and still running Falken Ziex 512's, with about 17k on them -- a little less than half tread left, still doing well though! Pretty decent tire in the wet.
gr
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