Building Custom-Fit 2006-2008 350Z/G35 Front Calipers
 

I realize aackshun has this thread on how to build these, but not everyone is comfortable with doing the modifications, rebuilding, and painting calipers, so I'm putting out the feelers on whether there would be any of you out there who would want a set of "forum member remanufactured" 350Z dual-piston front calipers custom-made to fit the 5.5 and 6th Gen Max with 12.6" rotors.

Basically what I'm thinking is offering completely rebuilt and repainted (automotive-grade clear coat with hardener) calipers to forum members for just a bit more than the price of remanufactured ones on Rockauto (base price plus core) - $350/pair plus the cost of shipping. Significantly less than the Brembo, Akebono, and even the 300ZX setup and offers a very inexpensive option for BBK performance compared to the stock Alti and even Alti SE-R front brakes. I can also offer matching rears for $275 plus shipping. Buy them both together for $550 (save $75) plus shipping.

I'm completely aware of how to rebuild, paint, and adjust the 06-08 350Z calipers and brackets to fit the front end of the 3rd Gen Alti, as it's exactly what I did on my Alti SE-R.

You'd still need to buy pads and rotors, but I would work with you to help you select a color, and I AM able to get most Nissan OEM paint colors. I use automotive-grade paint with hardeners so the paint glimmers and lasts much longer than "caliper paint kits." I'm also able to offer some select high-temp vinyl decals like the "SE-R" and "Nissan" logos. I can also work with another forum member for powder-coating (for those of you who know Lawrence, his work is top-notch), but the cost would be higher (upwards of $500 for front only) due to the associated costs of powder-coating and shipping between Lawrence and me.

Onto the pics.

Finished product (this kit wouldn't come with rotors, brake pads, or the stainless lines - just the calipers and brackets):
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psjoxpva3e.jpg

Closeup (ignore the brake dust, as this was from when I bedded the brakes in the rain):
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psauef88q2.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps4k5hmtt4.jpg

Full car shot:
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psfvtsmnik.jpg

And over 5 months after installation (pics taken just a few days ago).
They're easy to clean when washing and only require a microfiber cloth or your finger to wipe the brake dust off. No chips, no flaws. Just pretty:
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psqx9ufvqb.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psfnpcyjwu.jpg

If you're wondering if you could trust me with your life (because you would with front brake parts), I've used mine since the beginning of this summer with NO issues, and I've decreased my 60-0MPH stopping distance to right around the 100ft mark. There are many others on the .org using this on both Max and Alti applications with great results. See my build thread over on Alti Forums for more info (starts on page 19, post 283).

Thoughts? Anyone willing to be a guinea pig?

Forgot to mention, I went ahead and ordered two sets of front calipers and a set of rear calipers. I'll be modifying them accordingly and seeing if anyone steps up to Make advance purchase. If I don't get any takers by the time they're ready for paint, I'll just paint them a standard black or red (most commonly "liked") and then post them up for sale. I'll wait for people to request them after that.

I'm willing to be a test dummy. Do I get a discount?

PM for what you were thinking compared to the original $250, and we may be able to figure something out. Thanks for offering!

These arrived yesterday. Just documenting the received condition of the used calipers. Note the current condition of the caliper and bracket ceilings and the pot. Also notice how there's a distinct lack of "glisten" to the caliper paint.

All these things will be corrected for the final product.

I've also decided that the calipers will be coated with CQuartz DLUX after the clear coat fully cures. That will do an even better job of preventing brake dust buildup on the caliper. This treatment will be included in the original $250 price tag.

Now, onto the pics:
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psf0hlsm4x.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pslk3wig6y.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psth32zz0u.jpg

Note the difference between the SE-R calipers and these:
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psoi9mxkg8.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psrobzhgt7.jpg

For the record, my SE-R calipers are also getting the same rebuilding treatment and will be for sale - $150 once completed.
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pshh908vwx.jpg

One final update for a bit. I'm just going to build a few pairs in gloss black to get the word out and get some up for sale. If people are interested in custom colors, they'll need to step up, pay ahead, and I'll get to work on theirs.

The few pairs I've already sourced and will be building for sale in the near future will be gloss black.

Received the 2nd set I purchased. These ones look to be in a bit better shape, but will still need to be fully rebuilt in order to meet my standards. New rubber, new guide pins, and new sliding brackets.

In other news, we may have a buyer for this set already. We'll see what the decision is later. Until then, they're not quite spoken for!

Pics!
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps6gpmkm7n.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psjbnahil8.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pswujtomup.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psxtjxenls.jpg

Starting the first pair of these this weekend. Looking forward to some great garage time. :D

Bump! Lots of interest, but no one is making moves...

First buyer stepped up and made payment. Going for a beautiful Daytona Yellow. Started grinding over the weekend. Pics tomorrow.

Daytona Yellow for Mark
 

Pics of the preliminary grind on the brackets for Mark's calipers...

Supplies.
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pseoinyju0.jpg
All brand new stuff - the calipers will look brand new once done.
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psqliq5tap.jpg
Here's what they looked like originally.
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psteaueldw.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psnnduihvw.jpg
The black powder everywhere is all the metal and abrasive from my grinding wheel. Removed a lot of material from the ceiling and removed as much of the casting imperfections as possible. They'll be super clean when done.
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pswr8mnsui.jpg
After.
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pstrxgvnzo.jpg

Calipers are done with initial grind. Need to start test-fitting to see how much more I'll need to grind off.

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pstk73fyyn.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psdfghtgdq.jpg

Any other takers? I have an extra set here...

I get paid next friday, I'll be sure to hit you up. That's a heck of a deal man. Gives me a reason to finally replace my sticky rear caliper haha

I read the other thread, so the 5.5 gens don't need a bracket for either the front or rear 350z calipers? It's direct fitment and the only change needed is the rotor size and pad size?

From what I understand, the rear isn't a direct fit due to the E-Brake configuration. The 6th Gen uses the same "shoe" style E-Brake as the 350Z, so the rear setup bolts right up. I don't think the 5.5 Gen works the same.

The front is a direct bolt-on as long as they're ground the same way I do them - roughly 3-5mm of the caliper and bracket ceiling needs to be ground out to fit the outside of the rotor, otherwise the rotor is locked up against the caliper and bracket (mine didn't even make it to the 2nd bracket bolt on the knuckle it was so tight). You'd need the 12.6" rotors from the 6th Gen Max and the pads from a 2006-2008 350Z with dual-piston calipers.

All of my results were with the FULL 2006-2008 350Z brake setup, new Continental Extreme Contact DW (not the DWS) 245/40ZR18 tires on 17.8lbs Rays 57F wheels, Centric Premium rotors, StopTech Street Performance pads, and Motul RBF600 fluid. All that on a 2005 Alti SE-R equates to an average 60-0MPH stopping distance of right at 100ft. :eek:

For a 5.5 Gen, you may want to look at some options for a rear brake upgrade, too (maybe there's some way to modify the E-Brake setup to the newer 6th Gen setup?), but it's not "necessary" on the 5.5 Gens. They have EBD for brake biasing, and the computer will learn what the correct proportioning is for the new front brakes. Upgrading the rears will help your braking performance, though.

I'd also recommend adding in some braided stainless lines for a little under $100 (StopTech, 350Z front/rear lines, RockAuto.com), as they improve ABS performance. Your call, though, and it's not a necessity. My results mentioned above were without them installed. Now that they're on, though, I can feel the difference in ABS engagement. It feels less "mushy."

All in all, no brackets needed if you can figure out how to make the rear E-Brake work.

EDIT: I just located this thread for a 12.3" rear rotor setup. That may be the ticket for a 5.5 Gen. If you do want to do that one, it uses your standard rear calipers, but adds a custom bracket and a custom 12.3" rotor. I'd be happy to figure out a price for a set of rebuilt rears paint-matched to the fronts, if you like. LMK

I wrapped up the final grind and fitment on Mark's calipers today. Now I can move on to the fun stuff: paint! Pics on Monday!

As promised:

Fitment before final grind:
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psbo9xvzmz.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pstrwv6coa.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psn4ihwjff.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psmtsa032q.jpg

You can see that the caliper fits a bit tight on the rotor still. I've address that with the final grind, and now the rotor spins freely with plenty of clearance for caliper movement. When I did the set on my car and tried initial fitment, I had WAY more grinding to do than what you see in these pics. I couldn't even mount the bracket with both mounting bolts, let alone get the caliper on, too. This was a much better initial grind. :-)

Disassembly is this weekend, and I should be able to get everything prepared for spraying the self-etching primer. If things go well, I may even be able to get the first coat of the primer on and get things baked. We'll see. I'll keep you posted!

Nice work!

:thumbsup:

I guess I forgot to post my results with 3kGT VR-4 rotors :nervous:

Thank you!

Thanks, Sir! This idea was definitely spurred by your thread/work. Very curious to see what the specs/stats are on the VR-4 setup. :D

FYI:

All 12.6" rotors all the same in all nissans.....

G/Z/A34/L32 SE-R/Quest/Blahblahblah

[ninja edit occured]

Rotor, yes. Pads, no.

Rear pads are the same between them, but the front pads are different for the dual-piston calipers than the single piston ones.

Woops. Good eye sir.

It's been a bit since the last update, but Mark is waiting anxiously for his calipers. Updates!

Preliminary prep (they were even cleaner before I dropped primer on them). PM for prep details. Left is unprepped, but all the rubber and pistons removed. Right is prelim prepped.

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps8bs7xojg.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psd24z2rym.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psdt57e2le.jpg

More pics on next post.

Here's the primed and base-coated version. Love the Daytona Yellow. Nice pick on Mark's part. It took two cans of the stuff to get full coverage, though. I can see why most car manufacturers charge more for yellows...

http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psng4oq2yf.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psoga2ggtq.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...pspub5hami.jpg
http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/y...psvkm26lsd.jpg

Next is the waiting game. 48 hours for the paint to fully dry out. Then baking each part for an hour at 200*F. Finally, I can clearcoat with hardener (then wait another 48 hours) and then re-assemble. Should be ready to ship by mid-next week. I'll have more pics soon.

BPuff57: Truly meticulous work. I have a 3rd gen Maxima SE. Is there a 12.6" rotor and two piston caliper conversion for my car? Larger rotors for the back wheels also? If so, your price quote in red with clear coat to ZiP code 96002- (Redding, California). Thank you!

Thanks for the compliment, Mark.

To my knowledge, this would definitely work with the 5.5 and 6 Gen Maxima. I'm not 100% sure on fitment to any other Max generation.

If you could find a good deal on a used front caliper/rotor from a 2002-2006 Altima 2.5, it would be pretty cheap to check fitment. If those parts line up just fine, this kit should work.

The other issue you'll run into is brake bias. 5.5 Gen and newer Maxima models have Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) which computerizes the brake bias. If you upgrade the brakes in the front or rear alone, no biggie - EBD sets the proportioning and learns the optimal bias over time. Any older Maxima would need a proportioning valve or something to allow for adjustment of the brake bias.

You could upgrade the rears, too, but I'm not up to current information on your Gen Max.

OK! I mailed out Mark's ( @mbdemonte ) calipers earlier this week. The should be arriving very soon. I completely forgot to take pictures of the completed project, but they looked super good. I asked Mark to take some pictures once they arrive and post them up.

Onto the next set. Any takers? This one will be with the rear 350z calipers - custom painted, fully rebuilt. I'll get started on modifying them over the next few weeks. If no one steps up by the time they're ready for paint, I'll paint them black and post them up.

Price has been adjusted to compensate for the amount of labor involved.

Alright. I get it. Only one person was interested. Mods, feel free to close this thread.

If anyone wants these and doesn't want to do it themselves, PM me for pricing.

Ok cool. Thanks for your help :)

My pleasure. PM if you want a set.

I’m out!
 

Been a bit since last post. I’ve had a few requests to make these lately. I’m out of the game now - no longer have time for this or an interest in helping other do the same.

Thanks for all the great memories, Maxima.org. I’m out!

09 rims for sale
 

For sale: 4 19" stock 2009 wheels. In new condition, no damage and have been powder coated. Please contact me at pavel195622@gmail.com for price and shipping or pick up.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/maxima....0ddd7053a1.jpg

Moderators, probably not the right place for this post. New thread?