Thoughts on brakes

[VR30Infection]

Just chiming in to hopefully help a little. There are a couple of things at play here when speaking of “larger brakes”.
1. The larger the rotor is compared to another, creates a larger lever arm. It is not just heat management. The larger the lever arm (greater distance from the center of the wheel to the caliper pressure point) the more stopping power for a given clamping force. So you can have greater ability to stop the spinning momentum with the same given caliper.

2. Clamping force of a given caliper. Meaning, you could have two setups with the same size rotor and same density/mass (which are equal in heat management) BUT, have one with greater force thus having a higher ability to stop the momentum.

3. The amount of pots help with equaling the pressure across the brake pad causing a given pad to do its best based on even pressure distribution.

4. You could have a caliper with the same force clamping a rotor that is the same size and mass, however, have the design cover more of the rotor bringing more friction to the equation.

This would all be assuming that everything else is equal. Tires, fluid, brake lines, alignment, and the nut behind the wheel.

My point? Blanket statements about what does or doesn’t do a better job isn’t fair to the debate. Also, personal attacks help no one. We’re on the same team here.

 

[5thZ]

Yeah, I just don't wanna hit a wall

 

[FSUZ33]

I like the lever arm thing.
It's like putting your finger on a spinning record to stop it. You have better control/modulation of the record's speed the further away from the center point. Sort of explains my 'bite point' theory...maybe.

Where's this nerd at when you need him???

 

[VR30Infection]

I like the lever arm thing.
It's like putting your finger on a spinning record to stop it. You have better control/modulation of the record's speed the further away from the center point. Sort of explains my 'bite point' theory...maybe.

Where's this nerd at when you need him???

 

[5thZ]

To dumb it down the further away the caliper pistons are from the center of the rotor the faster it can stop it, so larger rotors are better for that and heat management. Interesting. Everything considered, for my purposes I think the Akebonos are fine, thx everyone

 

[VR30Infection]

Yeah, I just don't wanna hit a wall

Agreed my friend! No walls and rubber side down.

 

[Who.Am.Eye.2716]

@5thZ

Bump it up on a question with the Performance calipers on a Sport trim. Was it a direct bolt on? Other than needing 14" calipers, was there anything else needed to do the conversion?

 

[5thZ]

@5thZ

Bump it up on a question with the Performance calipers on a Sport trim. Was it a direct bolt on? Other than needing 14" calipers, was there anything else needed to do the conversion?

I am actually not sure - I would just make sure the rotor sizes are the same. Larger rotors would require the brake dust shield to be cut or removed (more on that below).

I say I am not sure because I have been doing a huge build over the last 6 months with SOHO Motorsports..truly one of a kind. A few like it, but not like mine. I replaced the rotors with the CZP Paragon 2-piece rotors that work with the Performance (New Z) / Sport (370z) calipers. The downside to that approach is the need to remove or cut the brake dust shield. I suggest cutting - removing is a whole lot more intensive.

I have been meaning to make a build page, maybe I'll do that soon

 

[OptionZero]

@5thZ

Bump it up on a question with the Performance calipers on a Sport trim. Was it a direct bolt on? Other than needing 14" calipers, was there anything else needed to do the conversion?

Sport brakes on the Z are the same as as the base model brakes on the 370Z
2 piston floating caliper, 12.6 inch rotor

Performance brakes on the Z are same as the 370Z (multiple trims including Nismo)
4 piston fixed Akebono caliper, 14 inch rotor

You need the calipers, rotors, lines (different banjo fitting), and brake shields (can cut old ones)

 

[Who.Am.Eye.2716]

Sport brakes on the Z are the same as as the base model brakes on the 370Z
2 piston floating caliper, 12.6 inch rotor

Performance brakes on the Z are same as the 370Z (multiple trims including Nismo)
4 piston fixed Akebono caliper, 14 inch rotor

You need the calipers, rotors, lines (different banjo fitting), and brake shields (can cut old ones)

Thanks for this info. Sport Master Cylinder should be good with Performance BBK?

I read that the Nismo Master Cylinder is different. I wont be going with Nismo but thats what I read

 

[OptionZero]

Thanks for this info. Sport Master Cylinder should be good with Performance BBK?

I read that the Nismo Master Cylinder is different. I wont be going with Nismo but thats what I read

Z1 has a 2 different part numbers for 370Z BMCs and 2 different numbers for 23+ Z (non-nismo and nismo)

Did some light digging

Looks like early 370Z's had a different BMC for base vs akebono brakes, but at some point around 2015 switched all models to the akebono version. the difference is the akebono brakes were rated for DOT4 fluid, whereas the base was DOT3.

I couldn't find an explanation for new Z's different BMCs, but for the nismo v non-nismo the obvious reason the Nismo would be different is the substantially larger front calipers, which probably call for greater pressure.

My advice:
Call Z1, double check which is appropriate. No sense flushing $300 down the drain on the wrong part.

While you're swapping BMCs, install their BMC brace for slightly improved brake feel.
https://www.z1motorsports.com/all-s...ssan-brake-master-cylinder-brace-p-56661.html

 

[trackratZ]

Thanks for this info. Sport Master Cylinder should be good with Performance BBK?
...

Since you're converting from Sport to Performance, e.g. to larger rotors, I'd really advise to also upgrade to the Performance BMC to be safe. But like Optionzero said, check w Z1 for compatibility.