Brakes

[red17]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question for those nissan know it all's. My brother has recently picked up a set of 300ZX brakes for his 180SX, which is a fairly common conversion. In the process we have noted that the alloy calipers off the 300ZX's (not sure what years because at one point they revert to iron calipers). are the same as mine on the R32.

Now those of us who drive R32 GTSt's will testify to them stopping pretty decently. So im wondering are the rotors indeed the same size and specification as the 300ZX?

If so, R32's have the benefit of having a set of brakes designed for a car 150kg's or so heavier.

Anyone know otherwise?

Red17

[the devil]

yes, the rotors are the same specs as the R32's. And i'm fairly sure they have only one model for the Z's 1989+. Note that the R32's and 300z's have 5 bolt holes on the rotor not like the s13's 4 holes. Not sure about the late model 180's like rps and that....they might have 5?

[red17]

Were aware of the stud issues with the 180SX/S13. You basically weld up the holes and redrill the discs with 4x114.3 stud pattern, no biggy.

Its a common cheap brake upgrade. So common in fact that the prices for 300ZX front brakes have gone pretty high over the past couple of years as demand has risen. Some people are charging as high as $950 for calipers alone!

Red17

[Roy]

A better way of doing the 5 stud conversion is to use the forged aluminium hub from the 300ZX on the rear, this alone saves 3kg in unsprung weight.

This way when you install the considerably larger disc and caliper the total increase in unsprung weight is less than 1kg. There are a few little tweaks required, like removal of dust shield, fiddle with park brake cable, change to 300ZX brake line, with most major being the need to use a 300zx rear shock, (or you can use the zed brakes with the S13 steel upright adds 3kg of weight to each rear wheel)

For the front use the S14 spindle. Again you will need to also change to the larger S14 lower ball joint and larger strut mounting bolt.

There is a little more agro involved in doing it this way, and i suppose expense, but the idea of welding parts that heave been heat treated (brakes) which also operate at high temps isnt very nice.

Also pays to remember that bigger brakes = addded weight, increase in unsprung weight reduces shock/spring control.

[red17]

I stand corrected, ya just drill 3 more holes apparently No need to weld em up.

Red17