Q45 Caliper/13'' Cobra Rotor BBK Upgrade Write Up
 

Parts used:

*90-96 Infiniti Q45 front calipers
*Hawk HPS Pads (HB415F.583 Will also fit 92-97 Infiniti J30 front calipers)
*Technafit SS Braided Lines (direct fit for the calipers)
*13'' Ford Mustang Cobra rotors - RTP Zinc coated
*Jeff's brackets and centering rings (the brackets are designed for the 300zx calipers but will work w/ this upgrade. The centering rings are made for 13'' Cobra rotors. The rings center the rotor.)
*Nuts/bolts/washers (Purchased from Home Depot)
4 Hex Bolts (12mm-1 75x40mm)
4 Lock washers (12mm)
4 Lock Nuts Nylon Insert (12mm-1 75)

Instructions on how to remove your front calipers + rotors found here: http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/300

*FYI* I have 18'' wheels w/ a 30 offset w/ a 1'' lip. This upgrade will not clear stock 4th gen wheels!!

After reading on how to remove the rotor + caliper, continue below...
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*Dust Shield Removal*

The dust shield will only accomodate the stock Maxima rotor. In order for your new rotors to fit, you'll have to either...

a) Bend the lip back until its straight
b) Cut the lip off
c) Remove the dust shield entirely

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...1143637802.jpg
Removal of dust shield

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...1143636782.jpg
Once the shield is taken care of, use the bbk bracket (dogbone looking piece) IN FRONT of the knuckle. (pictured)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC00623.jpg
(this is behind the hub. The new hardware is on the right. The stock Maxima hardware is on the left.)
Once the bracket is in place, use the new hardware to secure it. Insert the bolts from the front and secure it w/ a nut.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/6754e5af.jpg
Top view of the bracket + bolts, notice the lockwasher on the right side.

*Test Fit the Rotor and Torque Member & Rotor*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...1143638363.jpg
Mounting the rotor onto the hub and securing the torque member onto the bracket.

1) Place the new centering ring onto the hub for the new rotor to sit on. Make certain its flush w/ the hub.

2) After the ring is in place, put the 13'' rotor on. It should sit on the hub w/o trouble. Make sure the dust shield isn't touching the rear of the rotor.

3) Place the caliper bracket in front of the remaining two holes of the bracket and secure w/ either the stock Maxima hardware or new hardware.(17mm bolts)

4) Load the new pads into the torque member.

*Mounting the Caliper*
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC00618.jpg
Rotor, caliper successfully mounted.

5) Place the new calipers onto the torque member and secure it w/ the caliper pins. (14mm bolts)

6) Re-attach the brake lines.

7) Check that all bolts are properly torqued and re-mount tire.

8) Check to see if the rotor spins freely. If not, check your wheel spokes for contact w/ the caliper. Grinding of the caliper might be necessary.

If everything is successful, dont forget to bed in those new brakes. Instructions to do so are found here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

Enjoy!

What type of wheels will this work with?

I have 18s w/ a 30 offset. It also have a 1'' lip. Sorry i didn't include it in the write up. I'll add it in. Thanks :)

How much clearance do you have? This wont work with stock 16s will it?

I seriously doubt it will work w/ the stock 16. I wouldn't bet on it.

Interesting.

If you don't mind me asking. How much did the Q45 calipers run you?? I have 13" Cobra rotors, looking to get some Z32 calipers. I have read some of the info on the Q45/J30 caliper thread in the General forum.

I may just consider the Q45 setup. How does this setup feel?? And is it possible can you compare it to a Z32 caliper setup?

Excellent write up Karim! :thumbsup:



Somebody sticky this stat!

I got some Q45 calipers from a junkyard thru a local ORG member for $40. Then i bought some remanufactured calipers from AutoZone for 170/pair. I exchanged the junk calipers and got $80 back, If I remember correctly.

The setup feels miles beyond what I had before. The stopping power is tremendous. Sorry, i can't give you any comparisons to the Z32 setup. I've never been in a car w/ the Z32 setup. This upgrade will work w/ the Z32 calipers as well as the Q45/J30 calipers. This is what Jeff's BBK brackets were meant for in the first place. :)


Thanks bro :hs: This is my 1st write up!

Well done. I assume you have no pics of the hub centric rings?

The Cobra centering rings? Sorry, I do not :(

Torque Member
 

Did you have to grind any material off the inside of the torque member to accomodate the new rotor? Are these rotors thicker than stock maxima rotors? Good write up!

Nope, I didn't have to grind the torque member at all. Only the removal/cutting of the dust shield is necessary. The 13'' rotors are thicker than the stock Maxima rotor.

That is good to hear since i do not have the tools for grinding. So did you use your stock maxima torque member then?

Jeff's brackets look beefy....i just wish i coudl get a picture of the rings. I am just waiting to decided on weather or not is should get this kit. How do you feel about this setup Karim. Do you think its safe? knowing what the rings look like and the fact your rotors centering depends on them?

Once the rotors are centered, they are then clamped down with the lug bolts. I don't see why they are such an issue with you zach.

I feel totally safe w/ this setup. I've had it on since 3/28 and i went autocrossing the week after I got it installed.

I used the torque member that came w/ the Q calipers.

good write up, but you for our plug, f5f5f5f5

RedlineMax did the work

Thanks Karim, DaMax and RedlineMax for this excellent writeup. I've been receiving PMs for my brackets and rings. Just to let everyone know, these parts are on order as we speak. It "should" be this or next week that they will be available. Prices have gone up but I'll be holding my $90 shipped price for both items for this run.

I really like the idea of getting some cheap ones from a junkyard and exchanging them for Autozones. I just found some Q45 calipers locally for $35/each. I think tomorrow I am going to pick them up.

Now I'll just need the rings, brackets, and lines, Jeff!! :wiggle:

Actually, if u wanna try it....I'd get any old calipers you can get your hands on and exchange them for AutoZone remanufactured ones. When i exchanged my calipers, they didn't check the calipers i returned (even though they were the correct calipers.) The guy just took the calipers off of me and gave me my new ones :hs: Next time, i'mma snatch some calipers off of a Civic or something ;)

How do you like the setup Karim? Especially with a few hundred miles on them?

Very interestd in this setup, great write-up.

Thanks man. I tried to make it understandable for everyone, especially ones like me that are non-technical. :) First write up too!

One concern, when im travelling 60+mph and i apply the brakes it feels that one of the calipers isn't clamping as much as another. The car doesn't 'dive' evenly. One side 'dives' lower than another. It doesn't do it all the time. I topped off my brake fluid and rotated my tires. Other than that, the brakes feel solid.

might have a stuck caliper bracket slide. My car use to pull to the side, thought it was the caliper but one of the pins rusted into the rotor backet.

Are you talkin about the caliper pins? I remember them being greased w/ caliper lube before it was installed. :scratch:

Q45 Calipers = 1 piston VS Z32 Calipers = 4 piston

Um no. J30/Q45 twin piston.

yeah but it wouldn't hurt to check of this assembly is moving back/forth freely. It's what I would suspect first. Maybe unscrew the two bolts and see if the accordian pins slide back and forth easy.

Or try rebleeding the side that "doesn't" dive and check that side's slide pins also

so why are the Q45 calipers $444 from pinnaclenissan...but the J30 ones are $156? aren't they the same?

Because they are not the same.....I looked at a ton of J30 calipers when i was in the Junkyard and compared them to the calipers from the Q i got while at the Junkyard they are not the same. One way of identifing the Q calipers is they have sumitomo stamped on the top.

Hey Karim.

What brand of calipers did you get exactly? I searched on Autozones website and they have a few different brands.

Fenco
Cardone
Beck Arnley

but they are the same design? twin piston, they use the same exact pad too...so you have to wonder why such a huge price difference?

so with the caliper extension bracket, this is a direct bolt on to the 13" rotors with rings? how thick are the cobra rotors? what thickness were the calipers originally supposed to be clamping on the J30/Q45?

lastly, by any chance has anyone weighed their stock calipers vs. these J30/Q calipers vs. Z32 ones?

I forget what 'brand' they where. I think it was Beck Arnley. Be sure that the calipers say SUMITOMO on the top.

I haven't seen a set of J30 calipers so i couldn't tell you. Zack knows more about it than I do.

With the caliper extention bracket, it IS a direct bolt on to the 13'' rotors w/ rings just like i described in this write-up. Sorry, i dont know the thicknesses of the rotors nor the weights or the calipers.

I have the brackets/rings on sale now. $110 shipped. "Jeff_Iwata@yahoo.com" is the paypal. Give me the who, what and where if you want to buy. 2-3 sets are already presold

Well I went to work on the right front today.

Having a tiny issue. The rotor seems to rub slightly against the torque member. I'm thinking when I mount the wheel though the rotor will center itself better and will not rub. Did anybody have this issue?

When I hold the rotor straight against the hub its fine, so maybe it won't be an issue.

I am having a hell of a time tryin to break the nut loose for the break lines so I can put my SS lines on.

Also I tried using my Maxima torque member and it just was not going to work. The torque member is too small I don't know how you can run with it on. It just rubs against the rotor. I couldn't even slide the thing on. Thank god I had the Q45s.

Won't be able to work on it tomorrow :(. Hopefully Sunday. I was out in the rain today workin on it :nervous: Well it was sunny then the clouds rolled in and god said "Fck You".

Just curious how close your rotor is to the Qs torque member, because for me its a close call.

Karim? Note. I edited my post to reflect the higher price. I've been referring tons of people to this thread.

very nice. need to do this.

Bump

Jeff - Those parts still available? I'm trying to get these parts together.