I'm not a brake expert, but since I have both sets sitting around. I took a closer look at both sets. Calipers on the 300Z are cast iron so they are much heavier than the AP. AP are cast aluminum I believe. As for the the pistons, they are the same size. All 4 piston are about the same size, so the clamping force should be the same. If you don't have the clearance on your wheels for the Z brakes, you won't have it on the AP. They calipers are the same width between the two. The major advantage of the AP is the size of the rotors. The rotors are massive when you compare to the Z or the Maxima. I guess this is where you pay the big bucks for. I'll take some comparison pictures later on tonight.

 

Aren't there aluminum calipers for the Z also?

 

well as for clearance, not necessarily,
it's because with the AP calipers, the bracket to adapt the calipers on the steering knuckle is HIGHER up than the Z caliper, so if you were scraping your spokes before like i did on the Z, the AP calipers will fit,,.. (as long as your spokes sweep up and out of the hub...

 

Z aluminum calipers came on the 1990-1991. I heard they tend to warp.

 

Time for me to watch ER, so enjoy.

http://www.geocities.com/onemax2nv_2...big_brake_kit/

 

the aluminum calipers were used on the earlier Z's and later Nissan changed to The cast iron units. Supposely because of warpage probs but from my experince and resources i dont belive it does anything. Rather get the aluminum ones for the weight savings...