skyline brakes

[jdms14]

i am thinking of z32 brake upgrade. but what about skyline brakes? &nbsp;are any advantages? &nbsp;if i deceide to go w/ the skyline's, would there be any different parts needed from the z32 swap? &nbsp;also, more expensive? thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

[s15dude]

Sounds like a good idea, but considering that the skyline was never offered in america, go with the Z brakes, waaay cheaper. Besides, ask anyone with the Z brakes, they are still cold after hard braking.

[HippoSleek]

what he said. &nbsp;You will only be able to get pads and rotors from Japan, but you will get no performance benefit over z32's.

[jupiterl]

Depends on what year of skyline brakes you are getting. Most people in japan will swap in R32 GTR or R33 GTR brakes into silvias. They have a big difference in comparison to Z32 brakes, both rotors and calipers is bigger. I am current find my parts for my R32 GTR brake swap for my S14. It is not that expensive, caliper is around $260 each, rotor is $100 ~ $140 each. Pads is cheap if you get it from australia or UK. The whole swap is well under $900. Consider that the Z32 setup was selling for $900 in PDM racing, the R32 GTR brake upgrade is not really that bad.

[s15dude]

Its not only the cost I was thinking about, but if you screw up a rotor or caliper, means downtime for your ride while you wait for a package from Japan. Can you even get brake pads for the skyline here? With the Z32 brakes, you can walk on in to any auto parts store and geta replacment if needed. It sounds like a good idea, but if your on a budget like most people ar, it might not be the wisest choice. But if I was in Japan I would prolly consider the R32 brakes as a much more feasible option.

[adey]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (jupiterl @ April 10 2002,11:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> {snip} caliper is around $260 each, rotor is $100 ~ $140 each. Pads is cheap if you get it from australia or UK. The whole swap is well under $900. {snip}</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Wait a second, if calipers are 260 each and rotors are 100 each, how does that add up to less than 900 dollars? 260x4 is already 1040!

... or are you talking about JUST the fronts??

For one reason or another, I've never been a fan of front-only "brake swaps" simply because while they stop you in a straight line really well, I'm not a big drag racing fan (that's not, IMHO, what 180sxs were made for!! )
Swapping out fronts only throws a wrench into brake bias and makes your rears do more work than they were made to. a thumbs down in my books

[HippoSleek]

As jupiter pointed out, it is feasible (of course there was no cost for lines, pads, or shipping of this stuff in there). &nbsp;Plus, as shown the in Archives section, the z32 swap can be done for about $500. &nbsp;As for a big difference, I don't see that (over z32's). &nbsp;IIRC, the biggest difference b/n the two is the thickness of the rotor. &nbsp;That would allow better heat dissipation. &nbsp;But, I've never heard of heat being a problem when using a z32 set up, as the system was designed for a faster car that weighs 500 lbs more.

As for adey's concern - I'm sure that is just the fronts. &nbsp;There are problems with doing rear brakes related to abs sensors and the parking brake. &nbsp;As for bias, that really isn't a big deal, if you do it properly. &nbsp;If you put z32's up front, you should increase the agressiveness of your pad in the rear (i.e., Metal Masters in front, Porterfield R4s in the back). &nbsp;This will keep everything in reasonable equality (considering the fronts do the majority of braking anyway). &nbsp;

The thing to keep in mind is that the s14 4 wheel disk set up is already enough to lock both wheels (fronts first). &nbsp;The big upgrade will get you modulation benefits and better heat resistance. &nbsp;Stopping distances won't change much.

The bigger concern, to me, is that the z32 upgrade seems to reduce a certain amount of pedal feel due to the lack of consistency b/n the master cylnder and the calipers. &nbsp;There is supposed to be a certain "squishy" area at the top of the pedal (see, 240sx.org install/review section).

The alternative is to get some beefy pads and good fluid. &nbsp;Even at track days, I've yet to experiece brake fade and I can stop on a dime. &nbsp;(carbotech panther plus pads, OEM rotors, OEM calipers, old rubber lines, ATE SuperBlue fluid, regularly bled to perfection). <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

[Powashiftin]

so if i got R33 front and rear brakes, i wouldnt be able to purchase rotors or pads in the states? is there a counterpart in the states?

[Powashiftin]

couldnt i use Z32 pads ?

[Gesturewithoutmotion]

the r33 uses a brembo setup that is only found on the r33 to my knowledge.
so no there's no us counter part.

and the z32 pads won't work because they're a completely different caliper design and are much larger.
so no the z32 pads won't work.

[wpayne]

Concerning the "squishyness" of those break upgrades, I've always wondered if Cusco's Break Cylinder Stopper would help correct it. You can get them in japan for like $50 but I don't know about here. They're supposed to shorten the stroke I think.

Has anyone ever tried this?

[masta]

Speaking from a person who has bought a lot of stuff from Japan, none of you mention shipping.

To ship all of the parts for a brake upgrade will kill you too. All of the parts together will weigh around 200lbs from what I was told to ship that will be in the hundreds.

Either way you go, good luck!

[RBSileighty]

Originally posted by Gesturewithoutmotion
the r33 uses a brembo setup that is only found on the r33 to my knowledge.
so no there's no us counter part.

and the z32 pads won't work because they're a completely different caliper design and are much larger.
so no the z32 pads won't work.

I'm pretty sure the Z33 track ed. brembo's would bolt up like the Z32's... to bad they aren't old enough to be cost effective. Check Stop-Tech (pretty sure that's spelled right)... they have excellent quality I hear. For the price of GTR brembo's shipped (key word "shipped"). I'm sure you could put these on all four corners. Just my 2 cents. I want/holding out for alcons... but my car's a money pit. I might do Z32's to tie me over.... it's all down the road (have to get my lights to work first!).