Rotora Big Brake kit review~~

[jdmrice]

It's been about two months since I had the Rotora brake kit installed..all I can say is..oh man..these brake rocks..

For the longest time, I tried to find a better braking system for my car..I've done everything I could from stock rotor upgrades to 300zx front brakes..tried different pads (Metal Master,KVR,EBC..), different rotors (cross drilled,slotted,...), replaced/upgraded master cylinders,(300z NA 1 and 1/16th) upgraded stainless lines (takamotorsports.com), used better brake fluid etc etc.. nothing worked..I mean..they just don't give me enough power to stop..I don't know why..I couldn't find the problem. the pedal was just way too soft and the car just won't stop..(btw it's an 91 Fastback with ABS)..it seems like my roommate Ny_Jee's stock 96 240sx had better braking distance then my car. I also had several friends drove the car and they told me..Man, your car is FAST..but it won't stop!!!

I met the guys from Rotora at one of the car show last year and they told me they want to develop a big brake kit for the 240s.... I figure..why not..I've tried everything I could why not do another upgrade..maybe this time it will work.. so several month later ..they called me up and told me the kit has arrived.

First impression (before install): wow this kit is NICE..I mean..they look expensive lol, I've seen many other expensive kits like Brembo, Endless, Project Mu etc (I've "seen" them only but never had the money to back me up )
I did a quick compare of the rotora kit vs. my old 300z brake kits

1. the mounting brackets are "thick and beefy" and I do mean thick..I've seen someone on the TT.net try to fabricate brackets for the 300z calipers to fit bigger rotors, and those bracket quality are NO where near the rotora ones.
2. The rotors are a LOT bigger of course (duh~~ or else they won't call it a big brake lol )..it's 328mm (13in) compare to 3z's 280mm (11in) and the disc are two piece floating disc design (skyline brembo brakes has one piece rotors ..Apexi does offer floating disc upgrade for it though..$$$) and..here is the weird part...the big discs are lighter then my worn 300z Stillen cross drilled rotors...that was very cool
3. while the piston remained at 4, the calipers has two bleeder point on top of each side of the calipers..(most big brake upgrade has those to free more trapped air in the calipers)
4. ever had trouble finding the correct offset wheel to clear your 3z calipers?..I know a lot of you do..I always see people posting.."what offset I need to clear my calipers etc etc" guess what..the calipers have lower profile compare to the 300zx calipers... well..you need bigger wheels though..(17s or larger)...
5. did I mention the rotors are 4 lug or 5 lug compatible?
6. the kit WILL work with stock master cylinders and you don't have to upgrade..(I already had bigger master cylinders on already so I have super stiff pedal feelings now..I LOVE it ..lol )

Fist impression (after installed and test drove: man..I am sold 100%...even with ABS..(I know I know..stock ABS are POS..they are ONLY 3 channel) However, I can "lock" my brakes up now..I can feel the ABS system kicks in but each time when the system tell the brakes to bite...they actually bite the sh!t out of my brain...OMG..

Even till now..after three drift events..they brake system still provide strong stopping force, brake did not fade at all and the pedal feeling still there.
Both Alex P (Mr. Battle Version) and Benson S (Mr. SilEightyMania) drove my car and told me the braking system is very nice...I had a little accident during Club4AG DD5 practice event, my car only had minor damage thanks to the brake.. (still can't avoid the pole tho cause my steering link broke and also the car was sliding side ways )

I know most of you never heard of Rotora, that's why I am doing this review... I want most of you know that there IS an affordable big brake kit available out there for the 240 community, and they WILL get bigger and bigger. They are the official sponsor for D1GP now, so when Koguchi san coming for the D1 event...why don't you ask him what he thinks of the rotora big brake kit on his kick *** 180sx.

Some photos for you people too lazy to read ...



installed on my car.




some photos at IAS


even Koguchi likes it




for more pic please go to my website www.jdmrice.com
for more info about the brake kit please visit www.rotora.com

thanks guys..
have fun Drifitng