Z32 Brake upgrade’s

Discussion in 'Technical' started by 97300ZX, Dec 12, 2022.

  1. 97300ZX

    97300ZX Member

    Hey guys. Looking for options and opinions on brake upgrades for my z,
    I’ve sourced akebono calipers front and rear for a decent price so trying to find somewhere within aus to get brackets from. And input would help here.
    If anyone has any bang for buck upgrades they’ve done I’d love to hear.
    Thanks
     
  2. NI85

    NI85 Active Member

  3. ivan129

    ivan129 Active Member

    I assume your new calipers will fit a larger diameter disc rotor.
    The most common front brake upgrade is to fit 324mm diameter front rotors and use an offset mounting block (often referred to as a dog bone) to lift the the standard calipers up.
    Its pretty easy to make the offset mounting blocks from a chunk of aluminium if you can get access to a mill.
     
  4. MORBOOST

    MORBOOST Active Member

    No one in aus has akebono to z32 adaptors, usa ebay has them. Just type in "akebono z32" into ebay.com.
     
  5. 97300ZX

    97300ZX Member

    I’ve had a look at the eBay ones but the reviews on the seller didn’t give me any confidence in it. Seeing as both will be coming from the same place I’m better off just spending the money once in the right place.
     
  6. MORBOOST

    MORBOOST Active Member

    makes sense, I suggested it as I noted them on ebay when I was looking into it plus being ebay collects GST the whole buying experience is streamlined. I would suggest get brackets from Z1 and grab the 2 piece rear rotors at the same time I believe they are the only ones that sell them, you can get 2 piece fronts in aus.

    One last option for the rear which I also liked was from global auto in japan you can also get just the brackets
    https://greenline.jp/catalogue/item...s=&name=Big+Rotor+Kit&carcode=Z32B&fromlink=2
    They use a 350mm rotor with your oem z32 rear caliper, which was appealing as grinding away on the rear akebonos doesn't sit right with me.
     
  7. 97300ZX

    97300ZX Member

    I haven’t seen that option yet so I’ll definitely have a look into it! But due to already having all calipers and rotors I may still stick with the original plan.
    Appreciate the input
     
  8. ivan129

    ivan129 Active Member

    If you have purchased floating calipers then your going to have a challenge making mounts for them, because the Z32 use fixed calipers. If they a fixed calipers then it should be a relatively simple offset bracket assuming the new ones run larger diameter discs. Another couple of consideration that a lot of guys overlook is 1) clearance between the caliper and your wheel (will they foul on the rim? 2) Your master cylinder will only displace a certain amount of brake fluid with each pedal depression. If these new calipers have larger diameter pistons than the std zed ones, you may have a different feel to your brake pedal and may need to go larger with the master cylinder bore or fiddle with brake bias. Something that could require trial and error braking tests.
     
  9. 97300ZX

    97300ZX Member

    I have looked into most of these issues. I have contacted z1 Motorsport for all the things I could see becoming problems such as the brake bias. They have assured me and recommended parts that will rectify these issues. As for the wheel clearance, the wheels I run will accommodate for clearance needed. I have spoken to an engineer and his happy to give his input to the modifications. Ill work by his opinion seeing as I can’t engineer it myself.
     
  10. MORBOOST

    MORBOOST Active Member

  11. MORBOOST

    MORBOOST Active Member

    As far as your wheels do you mind stating - brand, model, width, offset and diameter just helps with people searching in the future.
     
  12. 97300ZX

    97300ZX Member

    I run. 18x9.5 +22 square set. As for brand, they are a cr kai rep.
     
  13. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    I'd flick the akebonos and keep an eye out for GTR brembos and callipers. Little bit smaller but no cutting for clearance etc and I doubt you'd ever know the difference when you're driving the car.
     
  14. MORBOOST

    MORBOOST Active Member

    As far a legal - this is some info for this site: https://hoppers.com.au/tech-info/ho...tions-for-designing-brakes-for-modified-cars/

    "As a principle it is not acceptable to weaken a caliper by grinding or machining any structure such as the cast cradle or the body. These parts have been designed by the OEM/Brake Company to transmit the designed loads including fatigue lives and once this is changed the durability of the calipers may be compromised."
     
  15. MORBOOST

    MORBOOST Active Member

  16. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    $3k is about the going rate for a set (four corners) of GTR brembos. I don't know how that compares to akebono etc
     
  17. zx299

    zx299 Well-Known Member

    Nissan oem Brembo brakes on the front of a zed is the best " bang for buck " brake enhancement you’ll come across. I’ve been using them for years and could not be happier.

    It’s all good and well to make your zed go faster…….. but you have to be able to stop it :cool:

    Ian(zx299)
    p.s PM me if you have any queries
     
  18. MORBOOST

    MORBOOST Active Member

    I agree, if you mean gtr - I think for easy of fitment the r32 vspec and r33 gtr Brembo is the go to - no brackets, bolt straight on, only need 17s.
    Just guessing but maybe op has found fitting 18s with thin spoke design makes z32 brakes look tiny in comparison to the wheels. I went through this my self had big wheels wanted huge brakes needed new wheels for brakes. Then I put oem z32 wheels on as a stop gap and really liked it now my brakes look in proportion, as a bonus I put positive camber on the rear with a 245 50 16 fills the guards and have more grip with a 320 tread wear than I did with a 265 35 18 - 200 tread wear semi but Im never going to track days.
     
    MickW likes this.
  19. zx299

    zx299 Well-Known Member

    No complaints from me about the brakes filling the wheel :eek: This is better than Oem fitment :cool:

    [​IMG]
     
    MickW and MORBOOST like this.
  20. zx299

    zx299 Well-Known Member

    I wouldn’t bother with Gtr Brembo rear calipers (they are the only ones that will fit on the zed, the 350z Brembo rear calipers will NOT fit). The only noticeable difference between the rear Sumitomo calipers and the Brembos is the price :eek: The Master cylinder is the same so fitting Brembo front calipers to the zed is a real “no brainer” :cool:
     

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