hedcasedime Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 hey guys- I'm doing a 280zx front/rear brake swap and have some questions. I've got 280zx calipers front/rear, rotors, and plan on getting the 280zx ebrake assy and master cylinder. My question is, can I use the stock brake lines with this conversion or do I have to put in new lines? If I do need new lines, is there a pre-bent kit available or will I have to do the bending/routing myself? Any help is much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage42 Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 All your questions can be answered at http://www.dimequarterly.com and by joining the 510 list. Quick overview is that the ZX front struts work just fine, after you put coilovers on them or swap the spring perches, stock 510 brake lines work with the front ZX conversion. The rear is more complicated, as you need a caliper mount and have to make some custom hard lines in conjunction with the stock rubber line from the caliper. Hope that helps. I had this setup on my blue 510 and it would out brake just about any car I've ever driven. http://dimequarterly.tierranet.com/articles/readers_dime_2_3.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedcasedime Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 Sweet, thanks a lot! Will I need to custom bend the hard lines, or is there some kind of kit that will work for me for the back ones? I've never dealt with bending and installing brake lines, and I'm a little intimidated to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage42 Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 You will have to do hard lines and weld on the tabs for the rubber mount brake line to go to. Making hard lines isn't a big deal, as long as you have or have access to a simple tube bender (plastic, hand held jobbers work great) and the flaring tool. The flares are bit harder to do. Maybe you and bend a coat hanger for the shape and find a local place to make the lines for you with the metric fittings. My buddy, Kelvin & I have worked on and built many things for our 510s over the last 15 years. I was at his place on the weekend and he's doing the exact mod on a customers rear control arms, so maybe he can snap a few pics for you for a visual. His email is kelvin@datsuns.com and more of his 510 parts are here: http://www.datsun510.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=3012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedcasedime Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 Cool, thanks for all the help man... I'll be sure to post pics when I get going on it this spring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruez Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I just did my wagon with the ZX struts/brake setup. Hardest part was getting the perches off.. and that wasn't bad. I hope to have the car rolling again in a week or so.. I just need to figure out what M/C to go with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage42 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 When I ran ZX fronts and drums in the rear, the Z 7/8" MC worked great. With rear discs added, I had to go with the ZX 15/16" MC to keep the same, firm pedal. I'm a big fan on very good brakes....then again, I'm all about HP, too. Both is a good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHale_510 Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 The ZX front brake conversion works well and gives brakes that wear a very long time and almost never fade. It is easy and worthwhile. You put the entire strut assembly in there. The caliper mounts are different, the bearings and hubs are bigger, and newer. Don't even try to adapt the 510 struts to the new stuff. It is really handy that the steering knuckles bolt to the same bolt spacing, neither Z nor 300ZX stuff is the same. It even works with the 3/4" 510 master cylinder, but since those are no longer available, the 7/8 240Z one is the most practical. It gives a harder pedal with less sensitivity. The 280ZX rear conversion is not nearly as good. The things are boat anchor heavy and you never overwork the rear brakes on a 510 anyway. You have to weld caliper adapters onto the bearing housings. You have to disassemble and reassemble the rear hubs and about 1/3 of them are ruined in the process. It's really hard to do better than aluminum Z drums on 510 factory stock shoes back there. If you must do rear discs, the second generation SX ones are easier to mount. Full race setups from Wildwood or better yet DP work better and weigh no more than stock brakes. The 15/16" ZX master is not a good fit. It was designed for use with a big 10" booster you will not fit onto a 510 firwewall. I think it has zero pedal feel and don't like it. I actually prefer the 7/8" master with a higher pivot hole in the pedal arm. But then Gary is faster than me so what do I know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage42 Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 But then Gary is faster than me so what do I know? Hey, at least we agree on something! haha What have you been up to, anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedcasedime Posted April 9, 2007 Author Share Posted April 9, 2007 I decided that I'm going to just go with the front brake conversion for now, and when I start making her go fast, I'll deal with the rear conversion. The backs have been giving me the biggest headache thus far, and I'd like to get the car back on the road for the summer. Thanks again for all the help guys, I'll be posting some pics of the suspension/brake upgrade when I get it done in a couple weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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