Finally finished the BlehmCo BBK! (pics)
Finally finished the BlehmCo BBK! (pics)
Well guys, I finally finished it up.. brackets are done, it's on the car, test drive is done, everybody likey, etc etc etc.
Driving impressions are very positive. I drove it and Mike drove it (harder than I did) with me in the car.. we were both VERY pleased with the setup- great initial bite while cold, and we warmed everything up enough to tell that they'll work great later too. Didn't want to beat on it that hard because of the brand new rotors, but we were both very impressed.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's the page on my website that explains pricing and more detail on the kit: http://www.mattblehm.com/brakes.html
(The pics on that page were from the first set of brackets that we made. didn't like the position well, so we messed around and found the only other way to make them fit without grinding on the car.)
In a nutshell:
12.6" 2004 Maxima rotors- direct bolt-on. no hub adaptors, weird wheel studs, or anything like that required.
Goodridge SS brake lines, front and rear- with the proper fittings for the Z32 calipers. no banjo-bolt goodness here.
3/8" Steel Caliper relocation brackets- way more than strong enough to take the abuse.
All Grade 8.8 hardware required to mount everything
Z32 Aluminum Calipers (supplied by you or me- see webpage on the prices)
I will also be glad to source brake pads, shim kits, etc for those who want to buy them all in one place. I can get anything from Hawk, Ferodo, Performance Friction, SP Racing, etc. on the pads. Fluid, I haven't had a chance to get pricing info on, but I will if needed. (there's enough places out there now that sell fluid that it should be easy to find, but I understand the convenience of being able to get it all in one place)
As is, this kit is a DIRECT bolt-on. no cutting, grinding, etc etc. It fits over the 5th gen dust shields with no problem, but I can't say anything for certain on the 3rd or 4th gens..
Here's the rest of the pics we took while installing the kit- as you can see it's easy to install, and there's no questions as to what part fits where.
Low Res Pics: http://www.mattblehm.com/mike/complete/ (Sorta 56k friendly.)
High Res Pics: http://www.mattblehm.com/mike/complete/high_res/ (dialups, don't even think about it!)
I'll let Mike post a few of his thoughts when he gets time, and please feel free to ask any questions you've got about the kit.
Driving impressions are very positive. I drove it and Mike drove it (harder than I did) with me in the car.. we were both VERY pleased with the setup- great initial bite while cold, and we warmed everything up enough to tell that they'll work great later too. Didn't want to beat on it that hard because of the brand new rotors, but we were both very impressed.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's the page on my website that explains pricing and more detail on the kit: http://www.mattblehm.com/brakes.html
(The pics on that page were from the first set of brackets that we made. didn't like the position well, so we messed around and found the only other way to make them fit without grinding on the car.)
In a nutshell:
12.6" 2004 Maxima rotors- direct bolt-on. no hub adaptors, weird wheel studs, or anything like that required.
Goodridge SS brake lines, front and rear- with the proper fittings for the Z32 calipers. no banjo-bolt goodness here.
3/8" Steel Caliper relocation brackets- way more than strong enough to take the abuse.
All Grade 8.8 hardware required to mount everything
Z32 Aluminum Calipers (supplied by you or me- see webpage on the prices)
I will also be glad to source brake pads, shim kits, etc for those who want to buy them all in one place. I can get anything from Hawk, Ferodo, Performance Friction, SP Racing, etc. on the pads. Fluid, I haven't had a chance to get pricing info on, but I will if needed. (there's enough places out there now that sell fluid that it should be easy to find, but I understand the convenience of being able to get it all in one place)
As is, this kit is a DIRECT bolt-on. no cutting, grinding, etc etc. It fits over the 5th gen dust shields with no problem, but I can't say anything for certain on the 3rd or 4th gens..
Here's the rest of the pics we took while installing the kit- as you can see it's easy to install, and there's no questions as to what part fits where.
Low Res Pics: http://www.mattblehm.com/mike/complete/ (Sorta 56k friendly.)
High Res Pics: http://www.mattblehm.com/mike/complete/high_res/ (dialups, don't even think about it!)
I'll let Mike post a few of his thoughts when he gets time, and please feel free to ask any questions you've got about the kit.
...
Originally Posted by DA-MAX
what do you mean??
Cross-drilled/slotted so that they wear out quicker and need more frequent replacement.....but look cooler, which is apparently all that matters.
Right now, the ONLY rotors available are OEM. As soon as other options are available, you can be sure I'll jump on them and offer them also.
I'm also working on a 2 piece version for the hardcore guys. The calipers are more than enough to handle the job, but for track use the OE rotors don't hold a candle to a good 2-piece with Coleman discs.
I'm also working on a 2 piece version for the hardcore guys. The calipers are more than enough to handle the job, but for track use the OE rotors don't hold a candle to a good 2-piece with Coleman discs.
Originally Posted by bill99gxe
Cross-drilled/slotted so that they wear out quicker and need more frequent replacement.....but look cooler, which is apparently all that matters.
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 838
New BBK on my car
Yes, that's my car with the new BlehmCo Big Brake Kit on it. The kit is great!! Fit of all the components is excellent, quality of the work and the materials that go into the final product is top notch. My driving impressions: pedal feel is equal to the original brake system. Same pedal travel, a little firmer pedal. Even with the Wagner semi-metallic pads I decided to use for everyday use, initial cold bite and then hot bite(after multiple 70/60 mph to 20 mph fast slowdowns) are both very good. Gone is the fade when the brakes have been used pretty heavy and the pads were good and hot. Gone, thank goodness, is the fear that I was going to warp the stock rotors AGAIN if I tried to stop too quick.
And, to me, since how a product looks on the car is just as important as how it performs, I couldn't be more pleased. The bigger rotors and the candy cherry red two stage powdercoated calipers look just AWESOME behind the Volks!! Pictures do not do these beauties justice. Will post better side shots of the car on Wednesday-it was almost dark when we finished today.
For those who want details, here's the parts that are on the car:
Custom fabricated brackets and all hardware to bolt them up.
12.6" diameter, 28mm thick, 2004 Maxima rotors.
Goodrich stainless steel brake lines, front and rear.
1991 Nissan 300ZX TT aluminum 4 piston calipers.
Wagner semi-metallic brake pads for everyday use.
Matt can talk about the technical parts of this install, but a few important points from my perspective. The factory dust shields are still used, no grinding control arms, no wheel spacers, no wierd offset wheels, and the rotors are straight bolt on out of the box. My 17x8 +40 offset Konig Tantrum wheels clear this setup too.
And last but not least, thanks Matt. This was a very time consuming, and at times a very trying project to pull together, but the results are well worth it. It looks GREAT!!!
Mike Hill
And, to me, since how a product looks on the car is just as important as how it performs, I couldn't be more pleased. The bigger rotors and the candy cherry red two stage powdercoated calipers look just AWESOME behind the Volks!! Pictures do not do these beauties justice. Will post better side shots of the car on Wednesday-it was almost dark when we finished today.
For those who want details, here's the parts that are on the car:
Custom fabricated brackets and all hardware to bolt them up.
12.6" diameter, 28mm thick, 2004 Maxima rotors.
Goodrich stainless steel brake lines, front and rear.
1991 Nissan 300ZX TT aluminum 4 piston calipers.
Wagner semi-metallic brake pads for everyday use.
Matt can talk about the technical parts of this install, but a few important points from my perspective. The factory dust shields are still used, no grinding control arms, no wheel spacers, no wierd offset wheels, and the rotors are straight bolt on out of the box. My 17x8 +40 offset Konig Tantrum wheels clear this setup too.
And last but not least, thanks Matt. This was a very time consuming, and at times a very trying project to pull together, but the results are well worth it. It looks GREAT!!!
Mike Hill
Yup... makes a difference on the look. I also flipped the rotor over and looked at the back after we drove it a few miles.. it covers all but about 3/8" of the rear rotor surface.
there were concerns about the pad not previously covering enough of the rotor surface, but I looked at some of the other pads out there... the 2004 Max brake pads are only about 3/16" wider than these- not much difference, and they were designed for this rotor.
the pad hangs over the rotor about 1.5mm at the very most on one end. the other end stops at the edge of the rotor, but I can't get much closer on either end than that because of the caliper-rotor clearance. there's only about 2.5mm between the two, and when the rotor heats up it will expand and fill that gap.
It's by no means an AP-quality kit, but it's not designed to compete with them at all. This is a kit designed to provide 90% of the performance for 15% of the price.
there were concerns about the pad not previously covering enough of the rotor surface, but I looked at some of the other pads out there... the 2004 Max brake pads are only about 3/16" wider than these- not much difference, and they were designed for this rotor.
the pad hangs over the rotor about 1.5mm at the very most on one end. the other end stops at the edge of the rotor, but I can't get much closer on either end than that because of the caliper-rotor clearance. there's only about 2.5mm between the two, and when the rotor heats up it will expand and fill that gap.
It's by no means an AP-quality kit, but it's not designed to compete with them at all. This is a kit designed to provide 90% of the performance for 15% of the price.
This kit will work with stock calipers (5th gen only!) when I finish making the bracket for it. I've got Mike schdeuled to come back wed (tomorrow) and we're going to finish up the bracket for it.
the black portion of the rotor is just paint, yes. these are OEM 1-piece rotors.. after we went for a test drive, the paint was worn off so that the black part is circular now. looks much better.
I will be working on 2-piece rotors soon too, but want to finish getting the stock caliper brackets made before I do the 2-piece rotor thing. there's more demand for the stock relocation stuff than an all-out 2-piece rotor.
the black portion of the rotor is just paint, yes. these are OEM 1-piece rotors.. after we went for a test drive, the paint was worn off so that the black part is circular now. looks much better.
I will be working on 2-piece rotors soon too, but want to finish getting the stock caliper brackets made before I do the 2-piece rotor thing. there's more demand for the stock relocation stuff than an all-out 2-piece rotor.
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
This kit will work with stock calipers (5th gen only!) when I finish making the bracket for it. I've got Mike schdeuled to come back wed (tomorrow) and we're going to finish up the bracket for it.
the black portion of the rotor is just paint, yes. these are OEM 1-piece rotors.. after we went for a test drive, the paint was worn off so that the black part is circular now. looks much better. I will be working on 2-piece rotors soon too, but want to finish getting the stock caliper brackets made before I do the 2-piece rotor thing. there's more demand for the stock relocation stuff than an all-out 2-piece rotor.
the black portion of the rotor is just paint, yes. these are OEM 1-piece rotors.. after we went for a test drive, the paint was worn off so that the black part is circular now. looks much better.
I will be working on 2-piece rotors soon too, but want to finish getting the stock caliper brackets made before I do the 2-piece rotor thing. there's more demand for the stock relocation stuff than an all-out 2-piece rotor.
1233456
Originally Posted by Larrio
ygm
1233456
1233456
No I don't.
If you sent it through .org mail, the system is down. :\
If you wish to contact me through email, please send it to sales@mattblehm.com or tech@mattblehm.com , or just PM me here.
thanks.
Sprint, I dunno yet. i know you'll have the wheel stud holes drilled for the 4-lug pattern.... bring me a 2-gen to try it on and I'll work with you on it.
Originally Posted by Nealoc187
I really wish you had done this before I did all that cutting and grinding for the 13" cobra rotors. This would have been much easier
Ya live and learn... I've wanted to kick myself in the **** dozens of times for stuff that I got impatient with and did myself.... then found out shortly afterward that a better product was available, I just hadn't found it yet!
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 838
Originally Posted by nupe500
NICE work Matt. Do these fit on the 5th gen 17s? Also, how much do you want for just the brackets and the hardware neccessary to relocate the calipers?
Mike
As Mike said, it's most likely not going to fit the 5th gen 17s. I'm picking one up from a friend in the morning to do a test-fit on it and the relocated stock caliper. I'll post results and pics when I have them.
I'm also going to try to fit it on my 13" 2-piece rotor + wilwood caliper setup on my car. If that fits, then I'll probably do a bracket to fit the wilwoods on the same rotor- we'll see there though, as the costs may not be worth it.
I'm also going to try to fit it on my 13" 2-piece rotor + wilwood caliper setup on my car. If that fits, then I'll probably do a bracket to fit the wilwoods on the same rotor- we'll see there though, as the costs may not be worth it.
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,940
Looks great Matt.
I take it then, that you can't use 5th Gen calipers for other generations? It doesn't sound like it from what I'm reading.... I'm wondering because one thing that may be putting people off from buying the BBK is how wheel fitment could possibly be a problem. As I recall, some wheels did not work with the kit, but using smaller calipers may solve this.
Someone mentioned this in another thread the other day too, that some other BBK maker provides a template of some kind so that you can see if your wheels are going to clear the calipers or not. I think this might be a good thing for you to try and produce (and sell?) so that people can do a test fit. There'd be more intrest then I think...
I take it then, that you can't use 5th Gen calipers for other generations? It doesn't sound like it from what I'm reading.... I'm wondering because one thing that may be putting people off from buying the BBK is how wheel fitment could possibly be a problem. As I recall, some wheels did not work with the kit, but using smaller calipers may solve this.
Someone mentioned this in another thread the other day too, that some other BBK maker provides a template of some kind so that you can see if your wheels are going to clear the calipers or not. I think this might be a good thing for you to try and produce (and sell?
) so that people can do a test fit. There'd be more intrest then I think...
Originally Posted by Bman
Looks great Matt.
Someone mentioned this in another thread the other day too, that some other BBK maker provides a template
Someone mentioned this in another thread the other day too, that some other BBK maker provides a template
Needs non-Maxima Friends
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
As Mike said, it's most likely not going to fit the 5th gen 17s. I'm picking one up from a friend in the morning to do a test-fit on it and the relocated stock caliper. I'll post results and pics when I have them.
I'm also going to try to fit it on my 13" 2-piece rotor + wilwood caliper setup on my car. If that fits, then I'll probably do a bracket to fit the wilwoods on the same rotor- we'll see there though, as the costs may not be worth it.
I'm also going to try to fit it on my 13" 2-piece rotor + wilwood caliper setup on my car. If that fits, then I'll probably do a bracket to fit the wilwoods on the same rotor- we'll see there though, as the costs may not be worth it.
So they probably wouldn't clear 2000 GXE 16" wheel either, right?
these supposedly clear the 300ZX 16s, so I'm going to say the kit with the 5th gen caliper SHOULD clear at least the 17" 5th gens, but I dunno about the 16s...
If there's someone in Houston area willing to bring me a wheel for test-fittment, I'll be glad to work something out with Mike to fit them on his car (until I have another set made up)..
I will also do my best to get a template drawn up of both calipers and put them on my website so people can print it out themselves and get a good guess before I have to go to the post office ten times a day.
just give me a little time on the templates and I'll do my best to get you one.
If there's someone in Houston area willing to bring me a wheel for test-fittment, I'll be glad to work something out with Mike to fit them on his car (until I have another set made up)..
I will also do my best to get a template drawn up of both calipers and put them on my website so people can print it out themselves and get a good guess before I have to go to the post office ten times a day.
just give me a little time on the templates and I'll do my best to get you one.
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
these supposedly clear the 300ZX 16s, so I'm going to say the kit with the 5th gen caliper SHOULD clear at least the 17" 5th gens, but I dunno about the 16s...
If there's someone in Houston area willing to bring me a wheel for test-fittment, I'll be glad to work something out with Mike to fit them on his car (until I have another set made up)..
I will also do my best to get a template drawn up of both calipers and put them on my website so people can print it out themselves and get a good guess before I have to go to the post office ten times a day.
just give me a little time on the templates and I'll do my best to get you one.
If there's someone in Houston area willing to bring me a wheel for test-fittment, I'll be glad to work something out with Mike to fit them on his car (until I have another set made up)..
I will also do my best to get a template drawn up of both calipers and put them on my website so people can print it out themselves and get a good guess before I have to go to the post office ten times a day.
just give me a little time on the templates and I'll do my best to get you one.
Originally Posted by MyownNismo
I think the problem with warpping rotors is the stock 5th gen calipers.
The problem with the warping rotors is due to the whimpy rotors they put on these battleships. Going with a larger, thicker rotor will help. Also using better pads than what Nissan sells will probably help too.
Everyone, I have just discovered that my mattblehm.com email system is down completely.. For anyone with questions they'd like to email me, please use matt93SE@sbcglobal.net for the time being.
I have contacted my webhost and given them the info. don't know when it will be back up, but I check the sbcglobal account regularly and will get back to you ASAP.
Sorry about the problems for those of you that have already sent me mail.
