John Scott Posted September 9, 2000 Share Posted September 9, 2000 OK, I've decided my budget will never allow me $2K on the brake upgrade. With the obvious improvement of the Toy 4x4 calipers, this seems the most logical direction. Does anyone know if you can buy a complete rebuilt assem. I mean everything ready to bolt on the car. I could go salvage yard digging, then spend the time going through them myself, but having them ready to go would be worth the time savings and extra cash outlay. Mike K, didn't you mention once that high perf. pads were availible? Which master is the prefered unit? Any recommendations on a proport. valves? JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted September 9, 2000 Share Posted September 9, 2000 pretty sure SCCA (MIke/fonebooth) has this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted September 9, 2000 Author Share Posted September 9, 2000 SCCA? Who, where is MIkefonebooth? Sorry, you lost me. JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted September 9, 2000 Author Share Posted September 9, 2000 NAPA has a set they call a complete bolt in with the pads for $56/per. $112 for a complete set!!?? Now what master do I need. The JTR doesn't give info on this. Anyone make a proport. valve recommendation? JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted September 9, 2000 Share Posted September 9, 2000 quote: Originally posted by John Scott: SCCA? Who, where is MIkefonebooth? Sorry, you lost me. JS check for member 'SCCA', he's in a few forums here and definitely under buysell forum, local racer who's put together various brake packages for Z's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted September 10, 2000 Share Posted September 10, 2000 In fact John I think Mike is up near you neck of the woods and comes down South your way to race his 510. I bought 5lug brakes from him myself and he was most helpful and it didn't cost ANYWHERE near $2k! He doesn't use the Toyota calipers from the 4X4 - he uses them off of another later model Toyota truck A 300ZX spindle is used up front for me with an off the shelf rotor an dpossibly a customer spacer. Rear uses late(ish) model stuff as well with I think a custom bit done on the rear rotor (I need to look at my notes I guess). Not sure I've got a rear E-brake. If you go 5lug you'll have awider wheel selection but may wind up closer to your $2K number. He sells 4 lug stuff too I think. I used stock style pads as the added size should haul this puppy down quickly enough. If I need to there are stronger pads available too. Last but not least - he's got the billet high dollar stuff too. IMO this just wasn't needed (shrug). P.S. When I get around to pulling my brakes I've got a solid rotor Toyota setup up fron that will come off. Not sure when this will occur and it's not the more desirable vented rotor but expect it'll be sold cheap to a member here. It stops the car right now just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted September 10, 2000 Author Share Posted September 10, 2000 Sorry SCCA. I've been in the garage too long today. I'll look in to the tips. I won't be changing my centerlines. I love 'em! JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted September 10, 2000 Share Posted September 10, 2000 I'm using the 1988 Toyota V6 4x4 truck caliper, the 1984 300ZX 10.9 inch rotor and a custom 1/2 inch spacer on existing 260Z hubs. Mine stops great, and I'm running the small 79/81 280ZX rear calipers... You could go the same route, but I think Mike Gibson's prices on his brake kits are reasonable. To see the difference in the size of the calipers on the 4cyl. 4x4 toyota and the 6cyl.4x4 toyota, go to my tech article on the Brake conversion I describe above! The pads on the V6 caliper are almost 1/4 larger than the 4 cyl. and 1/3rd larger than the 260z pad! Mike ------------------ "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk [This message has been edited by Mikelly (edited September 10, 2000).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 11, 2000 Share Posted September 11, 2000 Does anyone know if you can somehow put the toyota 4x4 calipers on a 280zx? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scca Posted September 11, 2000 Share Posted September 11, 2000 IMO the ONLY worthwhile upgrade on a ZX is to go to larger rotors and the 4runner stuff isnt large enough. its not cheap then.... starting at $850 for the fronts. keep it as it is or go for big fronts but leave the rears alone. ------------------ Mike http://www.fonebooth.com raceparts and brakeupgrades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted September 12, 2000 Author Share Posted September 12, 2000 So bigger is obviously better (rotors/ pad area) but what about width of the rotor. I see a HUGE difference between the Toyota swaps and lets say the pricey Willwood kit offered by Ariz.Zcar. I think their kit runs a whopping 1.25". Are the narrower toyota rotors up to the task. Bottom line is my stock brakes stink and are only good for one good stop. Anything including dragging my shoe on the pavement would be an improvement. I need the biggest bang for the buck. Would everyone agree the 85 truck 4x4 calipers are not worth the effort? I need the biggest bang for the buck. JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted September 12, 2000 Share Posted September 12, 2000 John I've only done the 83 4x4 swap onto my Z, and it was worth the bucks. But then again, it wasn't very many bucks. The new calipers/pads as a set cost me $166CAN or about $110US. While it helped some, its not what I'd call extreme braking power. In a Z as fast as yours I'd without a doubt go bigger than this. Mikelly seems to be fairly happy with his setup, and I don't see that breaking the bank. (certainly not like wilwoods or brembos would) ------------------ Drax240z 1973 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scca Posted September 12, 2000 Share Posted September 12, 2000 you need to compare across evenly. i'll explain. as example for the fronts with all new parts and not used part shopping the 4runner vented fronts with new pads.rotors.core charge etc and pins with spacers is $400 approx.upgrading to alum billet calipers with the outlaws start at $600 using the same rotor. and go up to $850 with using a 12" x1.25" curved vane race rotor. so its only $200 more to have a billet alum 4 piston NEW caliper not a rebuilt cast one and it weighs 4lbs ea not 10lb. the 1.25" rotors will last a street car for a very long time. they shouldnt be able to get hot and warp so if pads are changed when low they should outlast the rest of the car. also the pads on the big outlaws are .800" THICK.. way more than a street car pad. so when you factor it in they arent really that much more $, with lifetime and wear factored in, also the o-ring kits to rebuild a wilwood/outlaw caliper are around $10 per caliper and the pistons in the outlaws are stainless steel NOT regular chrome as in a OEM caliper. ------------------ Mike http://www.fonebooth.com raceparts and brakeupgrades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted September 12, 2000 Share Posted September 12, 2000 Drax did you try to adjust the pushrod behind the master for better pedal travel? My 4x4 caliper only swap makes me eat the windsheild. I may be running a better pad than other people. I am running raybestos brute force pads that only get stronger with more heat and pressure. Also I have the larger rear shoes off of my 260 parts car. Ihad to adjust the pushrod down so I could keep my kidneys in place. ------------------ The only stupid question is one you wanted to ask but never did!!! Drewz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted September 12, 2000 Share Posted September 12, 2000 Actually no, I never really did much tweaking to the brakes once I had the calipers on. Now once I install the zxt booster and master cylinder I will. I did go with pretty cheap pads though. (I got each caliper with pads new for $72) The brakes in my z car are among the best out of any car I've driven... how sad is that? I guess it has to do with the light weight of the Z compared to most others... but IMHO you can't have too much brakes. ------------------ Drax240z 1973 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted September 12, 2000 Share Posted September 12, 2000 I personally think that going to a vented rotor of the same size (like the 84 300zx rotor I'm using) gets you some added benefits that keep the swap less expensive. You get a cooler running rotor, that is 50% thicker and sheds a lot of unwanted heat. The V6 toyota 4x4 caliper also uses a much larger pad and clamps a larger swept area. This helps as well... Mike ------------------ "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted September 13, 2000 Share Posted September 13, 2000 SCCAMike - $200 upgrade to get Billet Outlaw stuff? Oh DOH! Hrm, I guess maybe I better open a box or two - I migth have even gone for the Outlaw and just don't recall (lol). The weight difference is pretty interesting too - 6lbs right on the suspension! I don't think my car will get used hard enough to warrant the ease of rebuild the Outlaws have but that's good info to have concerning them - perhaps an upgrade in the future if that's not what I've already got I could always just fire up the buffer and polish the stock looking stuff if I had to I guess (grin). Appreciate your input - on the 240SX stuff too. I think you and I spoke aboout this too awhile back. Use the latest stuff you can when doing this sort of upgrade as you're assuring yourself parts availability down the line... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ivan Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Im looking for a cheap upgrade for 1983 280zx front brakes. Other than $749.00 Arzona Z car brakes. Even though thats probably the best way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody 82 ZXT Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Try some quality pads suchs as KVR, stainless lines and make sure the rotors are in spec. turn or replace as needed. Make sure to bleed the lines if you haven't in awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I bought a pair of fully loaded remanufactured calipers on eBay for $130 in addition to Modern Motorsports 'Typical 4x4 Vented Front Brake Package' for $350. These two items will give you everything you need for the front brake 4x4 swap. To complete my package I put in the small ZX rear discs, a larger ZX Master Cylinder and a Wilwood Proportioning Valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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