I need to replace my front rotors, pads, for the 3rd time after 130K miles... and I am getting pretty sick of these warped rotors. So......after doing some research I have selected about 3 options (and some variations that are available thru Blehmco) and would like people to pipe in with their opinions on which one to buy:

Would you buy this set: http://www.racingbrake.com/MAXIMA_FR...2047-111-0.htm

or this set with 300zxrotors: http://www.blehmco.com/300ZX_brakes.htm

or this set with or without the rotors: http://www.blehmco.com/relocation_kit.htm

 

Don't know much about the first set other than what the website says and it only lists up to 1999? Otherwise the kit looks decent.

300zx kit looks nice but pricey IMO for stock parts.

Last kit with relocation brackets and 04+ rotors looks to be the best deal to me.

The last 3 times you replaced the rotors, did you go with the OEM rotors each time?

 

the last kit wont be a noticable difference IIRC
the 2004 kit will just reduce heat
but no drastic breaking change

 

new OEM rotors
+
Hawk HPS pads


or

 

tell him the price...

 

you get what you pay for...



and for the OP, OEM rotors dont cause the "warping" problem...its the OEM pads

 

Oem rotors = waste of money

bbk unless your doing autocross = pointless

Get some rotors from autozone and hawk hps pads it will work fine enough for daily driving

 

rotors from autozone will be OEM replacement...again, there is nothing wrong with the OEM rotors...its the OEM pads

and i completely disagree that a bbk is only good for auto-x

 

how bout Brembo Blanks + hawk pads.?

 

I'd just do 6th gen calipers and 6th gen rotors. Completely bolt on, no relocation brackets required.

I did it a long time ago and I haven't warped a rotor since. Of course, I switched to ceramic pads so that might have something to do with it, but the upgrade was cheap and I have been more than satisfied.

 

same as OEM replacement for more money

 

I second the 6th gen set up for the money you can't go wrong. Although I belive your factory wheels will not clear. 5th gen no 5.5gen yes. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

i thought you ment oem from dealer lol
the bbk for spirited driving is over kill just cause of the price but if he can afford it then do it i was thinking price wise most people on here wouldn't wanna shell out 1000+ for it unless they do a 300ZX kit which you can do for around 600-800 maybe less

 

You're correct, but his sig said he had 18" BBS wheels so I figured clearance wouldn't be an issue in his case.

 

hell no...oem replacement. when i did my fronts, the dealership wanted around $200 each...got the exact same thing from advance auto for around $100 each.

think of a bbk as a safety thing

 

Just another suggestion. I just swapped out all four rotors & pads from irotors.com. Check them out.

 

powerslot and HPS... been using them for over 6 years... great combo

 

so i can bolt on 6th rotors and calipers on my 5th gen? absolutely no mods?

 

Always has been the case, provided the calipers will fit behind your wheels.

00-01 SE 17s won't work, 02-03 SE 17s will. And I'd venture a guess that anyone with 18" or larger wheels would have no trouble at all fitting the calipers.

 

ok...thats wierd cuz the 5th gen adn 5.5 look the same as far as the 17s go. but thanks for the info. when i upgrade wheels ill upgrade calipers and rotors.

 

The last 3 times were either BREMBO cross-drilled or Powerslot rotors and either metalmatrixpads or the current Akebono ceramic pads

 

Correct....I have BBS RGR 18x8 rims so clearance will not be an issue.

Also, I am not concerned about better bracking per se but more importantly a better heat sink therefore less heat and less chance of warping.

Metaorbit thanks for the 6th gen rotors idea with the 6th gen calipers; i didn't know that this would work with no relocation brackets

I am currently leaning towards this setup. How much did it cost you?

 

I bought my calipers from my work (nissan dealer) for $55 dollars each & hardware was $45. Bought them for a 05 because they were new not remans. Because they were new there was no core charge. Rotors & pads were free (warrenty take offs). Yea I'm cheap, I am not sure what year you would have to shop for new ones currently.
SE-R altimas will work as well I belive but there more money cause they say SE-R

 

Like Jamesrc said, the calipers are pretty cheap. I don't have any hookups but I think I got the '05 calipers, new, for like $64 a piece maybe. Not sure, it was a long time ago. I then bought a pair of rotors for like $120 shipped and bought the pads and pad hardware kit locally, can't remember how much I spent on those.

 

RTP Xdrill/slotted rotors from Automax95 in GD section and Advance Auto cheapo pads - great combo for over a year now.

 

I've had this setup for close to three years with no issues. I like the bbk idea however it doesn't really seem like a smart idea to spend 1/3 of the car's value just on brakes. My $.02

 

so you wasted all that money on expensive fancy rotors...and bought crap pads
you clearly do not understand brakes AT ALL

 

Do the 6th gen calipers have a bigger "piston" to squeese the rotors or is it the same size as the 5the gen caliper?

 

Much bigger piston. Bigger caliper overall.

 

That is what I was hoping to hear... It is settled then. I will source the 6th gen calipers and rotors ( and decide on which pads i will choose) and install them myself.

I will probably give DaveB a call and see what his prices are...

p.s.- i know since i am getting bigger calipers and rotors that i am increasing my unsprung weight up front; i guess it is a tradeoff I will have to live with to get rid of this brake warping issue...

 

 

agree. I haven't had any problems with OEM rotors and aftermarket pads. I use Bendix pads and all is good.......No need to speed tons of money

 

I have used various rotor and pad combinations in addition to using different pads with the OEM rotors and everything thus far has warped.....I am more than likely going the 6th gen route to resolve the issue

 

Is there any change in pedal feel, pedal travel, in how quickly/slowly the brakes start to grab that you may have noticed since this now involves a bigger caliper with a bigger piston but the same size master cylinder...

 

Pedal feel is different...it's hard to describe. There's more pedal travel now than there was stock, and the brakes start to grab later (more travel required) than stock. I remember with the stock brakes it seemed like the absolute first ounce of pressure on the pedal the brakes were biting hard. Doesn't happen that way any more. If anything it feels more linear to me.

 

does your car have abs? I noticed that cars without abs tend to grab fster than cars with abs.

how much farther does the brake travel with the 6th gen setup compared to the stock setup?

also, after your 6 gen brake conversion, do you feel it was worth it for a daily driver?

I never had a problem with my stock brakes, but worth thinking about if it makes a significan difference.

 

Yes, my I35 has ABS

Couldn't tell you. I just know it's farther.

No regrets, and I've had these brakes installed since Oct. 2005 (wow! just checked) and haven't had the rotors turned or the pads changed since.

I drive the hell out of my cars (lots of miles in a short span) so I touch these brakes pretty much everyday. Aside from the added weight (it's noticeable), I've been very pleased.

 

300zx/Q45 calipers + 13" Cobra rotors + brackets = ftw

 

Hmmmmm.........so since this is increased unsprung weight and this is also rotational mass how much noticeable is it....and in what ways- slower to accelerate, slower to change direction....?

 

Pretty much feels like it does when you put heavier wheels on your car.