MSA 4-piston upgrade with SS lines

[mdbrandy]

hey does anyone know if those MSA 4 piston calipers are different than just getting early 80 toyota 4 piston calipers?

Just curious cause maybe they're better...they seem to cost a heck of a lot more....just curious.

Don't know, but the ones I got came loaded (pads and hardware), and with the 2 stainless steel lines. Probably still more expensive than sourceing the parts separately, but I paid for the convenience of getting it all at once. Didn't price the pieces separately.

[dogma420]

when i was pricing, autozone is like $35 per caliper (83 Toy 4x4)...I know plenty of Zedheads that have just returned the 2 pistons to autozone for the core charge (which is $35 per side) and Autozone doesn't care (don't really know why)....

With the Steel Braids and pads, looking at $150 total or so...which is what I'm doing.

[dogma420]

FYI--

Here is the Autozone URL for the calipers

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performSearch&Parameters=Auto+Store%7C%7EREGULAR+PARTS+LOOK+UP%7C%7EBRAKE+CALIPER+-+FRONT

[mdbrandy]

when i was pricing, autozone is like $35 per caliper (83 Toy 4x4)...I know plenty of Zedheads that have just returned the 2 pistons to autozone for the core charge (which is $35 per side) and Autozone doesn't care (don't really know why)....

With the Steel Braids and pads, looking at $150 total or so...which is what I'm doing.

Looks like quite a savings for those of you that are paying attention (meaning: not me :stupid: ). MSA knows that they won't get cores back, so the $35 per side core is probably factored into their price, which still leaves over $100 more from MSA.

Oh well. It was convenient!

[dogma420]

no don't get me wrong i have thought of getting their kit as well...no diss intended...it is very convenient to get all the parts at one purchase.

Let me know how they feel vs. stock!

[240ZMan]

Dogma420, Autozone is where I bought mine as well. A friendly caution: on one caliper the bolts that hold the two halves together weren't fully tightened, and on the other caliper one was missing!

The phrase, "you get what you pay for" comes to mind here

[dogma420]

Thanks for the tip! very appreciative.

[chickenwafer]

the MSA kit is bolt-on, right? So those Toyota calipers dogma420 found at Autozone, are those a direct bolt-on as well??

Dave

[240ZMan]

The only modification you have to make is to cut off some of the brake backing plate to accomodate the larger caliper. I used a dremmel cutting wheel and it was quite easy. I would imagine this goes for the MSA kit as well.

I've read that some people have had to grind down a bump on the outside edge of the caliper so it wouldn't touch the back of the wheel, but I didn't have any clearance issues with mine.

[chickenwafer]

what size wheel do you run and at what offset?

[240ZMan]

14 x 7 Enki 92. I haven't measured the offset, but I'd guess it was close to zero as they are a rather old wheel.

[mdbrandy]

The only modification you have to make is to cut off some of the brake backing plate to accomodate the larger caliper. I used a dremmel cutting wheel and it was quite easy. I would imagine this goes for the MSA kit as well.

I've read that some people have had to grind down a bump on the outside edge of the caliper so it wouldn't touch the back of the wheel, but I didn't have any clearance issues with mine.

I did have to modify the backing plate to fit. Easily done with a pneumatic cutoff tool, especially since they were off the car and I was getting ready to paint them. And my 15" wheels have no problem clearing. Don't know the offset, but they need a 1/4" spacer so the tires don't rub on the springs.