4-piston brake conversion questions

[Seanh]

I'm going to do a swap to 4-piston brake calipers from an 82 Toyota 4wd Pickup truck. I'm going to buy the calipers new, from Advance Auto for $30.00 each. I was wondering, most of the websites I'v seen say to try and get calipers that are already assembled so I can see how the pads and everything go together. Since I'm not going to be able to do this I was wondering if someone out there could help me as to how they will need to go together and what all other parts I will need to assemble them (springs, spacers, shims, pads, those type of things).

Also, where can I get a pair of front steel braided brake lines? I just want the pair for the front, because I plan on swapping my 81 280zx rear disk brakes and I'd assume I need different lines for that don't I? Thanks

Anything else I need to do this?

[Z-point]

With great interest I read an article about the vented rotor conversion at the 240Z on http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Track/6997/

But… as I live in Holland and the 300ZX here where equipped with 5 log nuts, can anybody supply me the Nissanparts number of the 4 log nuts 300ZX rotor? Was it only in the US the 4 log nuts where available?

[XYZ]

Hi Seanh-

I did the same thing when I did my caliper conversion, bought unloaded calipers new. At least your trying to locate the springs and things first. I thought they would come with the pads and I was wrong.:stupid: I ended up buying the loaded calipers so I could get the springs as no one carried the springs by themselves and just swapped out the pads. I used porterfield racing pads in my setup, no shims. Sounds like your looking for something other than the stock pads that come in the loaded calipers.

I would try going to a parts store and asking to look at a set of loaded calipers so you see how the spring holds the pads in. Can your source order or supply you with the springs? I would think so but..? There's not much to them just the pads and springs. There's no shimming or spacers so long as you are using the stock rotor.

If stock pads would work for you it would be a lot easier to by the loaded calipers. It's more expensive but a straight bolt on.

As for the SS lines MSA has a set for $60-70 for all four corners. I'm not sure about the disk brake conversion to the rear but if you get the MSA lines hopefully you could use them on the rear. I would guess it depends on the connection size on the caliper itself and the supply line size. MSA could probably tell you if their lines would fit a 280ZX brake setup. BTW, MSA sells a caliper kit but it's pretty pricey. I would just buy the SS lines and toyota setup its less expensive.

Good luck!

MSA - 800.633.6331

[Seanh]

Alright, I think I will probally just go for loaded calipers then, that would be easier then buying everything seperatly. I would be fine with stock pads, I'm not looking for extreamly high performance. Heck, putting my foot out the door would stop me better then my current old, rusted, leaky, 1/2 working brakes I have now. I think I will probally order a SS brake line kit for an 81 280zx then, I would assume my front brakes would be the same, so that would work, and then I can use them on the rear when I put my disk brakes on. Thanks

[Seanh]

One more thing. I know I shoudn't slack off on doing brakes, but would it be possible to get by with stock lines until I get some more money to get SS ones? I would like to do it all at once, and I'm sure it would be easier, but I dont have the money for the new calipers and SS all at once. What is the primary reasons everyone reccomends going to SS lines with these new brakes? Would new stock lines work ok? They need replaced, so they will be new, but stock for a while. Thanks again!

[XYZ]

You should probably check with MSA first in regard to ZX lines working on just a Z. I looked in a catalog and noticed different part numbers for different year brake lines. The reason you would want SS brake lines is that they resist the hydrolic pressure better than the rubber lines. They're basically stiffer and you get better pressure. New rubber lines would be better than nothing and someone here could probably elaborate more on this.

I've ready that you should even upgrade the Master cylinder and feeder lines to slightly larger diameter to help with the larger valves in the calipers but I didn't as have other here and it works pretty well. I have SS and I'm not really sure what the difference would be with just rubber. Hope this helps.

[SFMRZ]

Keep the stock brake line setup or replace the rubber hose part with braided lines, avoid the braided lines that bolt directly to the caliper for they could leak. Mine did but on my Toyota Camry it did not. The condition of the used or rebuilt caliper might make the difference.

http://www.240z.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1596

http://www.240z.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1597

[SFMRZ]

My link above will give you a picture on the springs.

http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/Calipers/toyotaCalipers.html

[smg1404]

I called the local junk yards, and they all asked the same question. Is it for a four or six cylinder .... does it matter? and if so which should I ask for?

[XYZ]

Good question! When I bought mine I think I said 6 cylinder but I honestly can't remember. Perhaps the thing to do is call Napa or Checker etc and ask them to check the parts number on the caliper for a 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder and see of they are different. I don't think it matters but....? I'm trying to find my receipt so I can see if it said. Sorry can't be more help right now.:disappoin

[XYZ]

smg1404-

I called the parts store this morning and found out that toyota did not offer 6 cyl. engines until '86 and newer. The caliper I have is from an '85 4 x 4 pickup, 2.4 cyl engine. It bolted right on.

[smg1404]

I was asking for a caliper from a '88. I should have asked for an earlier one.