zolorin Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 I am planning to do a front 4-piston Toyota 4x4 caliper swap with new rotors and all of the works as well as rear 240sx disc brake swap and the whole nine yards. My question is to those that have done those swaps how much did the braking ability improved, and what other benefits have you noticed? Any problems etc. Basically tell me are you happy with the upgrade or not and why. Thank you for your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 happy with 4 pot brakes/vented rotors here. my setup also includes 15/16 mc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 I'm very happy with with my 280ZX caliper/300ZX vented rotor front brakes, but the item that made the MOST difference was the carbon/kevlar race pads. Before the pads, I still faded out the brakes in a hurry, stock brakes or the vented rotor upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zolorin Posted September 3, 2003 Author Share Posted September 3, 2003 Are Carbon/Kevlar brake pads usable in the street application or are they only for racing. Also what is the wear rate on those. thank you for your posts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 NATHAN!!! Did you use the 280zx caliper brackets for the calipers and how did everything line up for you??? I have all the parts mentioned in another post but no mention anywhere about the caliper brackets needed. Also did the caliper line up or were spacers needed?? THANKS in advance!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timh Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 DREW, I emailed some photos of my same swap that may help. Post them if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 The Porterfield pads I use racing I also use on the street, but I don't drive the car much, and they squeak a bit. Porterfield also makes a softer pad for the street, but so far the race pads are OK. don't know about wear - the only wear they get is on the track really. I used the whole 280ZX caliper and bracket. The OD of the brake disc was turned down 1/4", and the caliper bracket mounted to the other side of the ears on the strut (the non-machined side). The strut ears had to have the threads drilled out, as the 280ZX calipers are threaded. In order to get the calipers to line up, I used 240Z front hubs, and about 1/8" stack of washers to center the caliper on the rotor. I was a little leery of doing all this ghetto modding, but they have worked flawlessly for 3 years now. Also, I was parting out a Porsche 911 for a friend, and I removed the front calipers (Wilwoods) to discover they were mounted in much the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 Thanks for all the help guys!!! The pics and info are mUCHLY appreciated.....Sorry but I gots no skillzzz on posting photos but you can put them in your Z album not??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kc6wfs Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 I have the rear disk conversion I bought from Ross C on here. Installs like a dream, breaking is a lot better. Have a look. http://www.modern-motorsports.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2&PHPSESSID=3ddc9bcfef5aca7533834e0afff829c6 Thanks, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 The Toyota front conversion is OK, depending on what you want from your brakes. If you want really outstanding brakes and don't mind spending more money, consider an upgrade using four spot aluminium calipers and around 290mm (11.5"), or bigger, diameter ventilated rotors. Better to think about it now than later on after you have spent money on the Toy conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkspeed Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Keep in mind that tires are always the limiting factor in stopping distance. The stickier the tire, the faster you will stop. Brake upgrades only improve the "feel" of the brakes, durability, and fade resistance. Big $$ can be better spent on tires and wheels if you really want to stop quicker. For little money, high temp fluid, Hi-Perf pads, and ss lines go along way toward eliminating fade and providing a firm pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage42 Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 Are Carbon/Kevlar brake pads usable in the street application or are they only for racing. Also what is the wear rate on those.thank you for your posts The only pad I can recommend 100% are the Porterfield R4S pads. I ran them on my built 510 w/ 280ZX brakes and was always impressed with them. I ran went with the street compound and never had them make noise, work very well when cold (which is good for auto-x or living in cold places), and very rotor friendly. Even on track days, I couldn't get the brakes to fade and I am considered a master "late-braker" going by people under braking. It's the best $79 (per set) I ever spent and made the biggest difference in braking. Hope that helps. Oh, my sets usually lasted 2-3 years with daily driving, including 8-10 autocrosses, 2-3 hillclimbs, and a couple track days a year.!! Obviously, a 2200 lbs 510 won't use ZX brakes as quickly as a heavier Z, but I ran 2 sets on the same rotors because they looked so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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