F.I.A. Brake System-Stock Rotor

[fixitman]

Does anyone know the source/history of the 4-piston calipers, part nos. 41000-E7201 & 41010-E7201, offered in the old Datsun Competition catalogs?

Thanks,

Fixitman

[Carl Beck]

I had a source in Japan, but now the Web Page seems to have either moved or is gone.

The Calipers were Sumitomo MK 63's that Nissan sold though the old Datsun Competition Dept. and were for either ventilated or non-ventilated rotors. They are four piston calipers and Datsun Comp. also had different rear wheel cylinders that were used with them.

FWIW,

Carl

[fixitman]

Were these calipers used on any stock Nissan/Datsun vehicle or just as a Z upgrade?

Fixitman

[Ron Carter]

As far as I am aware they were not OEM equipment on a Datsun / Nissan Vehicle in the USA. I have a set that were on my racing 510, they are the vented setup.

They are strikingly similar to the Toyota Four Runner calipers.

Ron

[HS30-H]

Were these calipers used on any stock Nissan/Datsun vehicle or just as a Z upgrade?

They were a Girling-licensed design, first used on some models of the 150-series Nissan President ( non-vented disc ) in the mid-Sixties.

Vented and non-vented versions were sold for numerous models ( Skylines, Bluebirds, Sunnies, etc etc - so not just Zs ) as 'Sports Option' equipment, and were used by Nissan's works racing teams in all sorts of situations - even vented versions on the rear of some works Zs.......

If you are looking for new MK63 calipers, the vented versions are still available new from companies such as Kameari Engine Works. As far as I am aware, the non-vented solid disc versions ( narrower caliper ) are NLA, but you might find some deadstock.

Watch out for odd-spec versions that had bleed nipples in awkward locations too. There were many different versions.

Was there any particular reason why you asked ( EG looking for rebuild parts )?

[fixitman]

They were a Girling-licensed design, first used on some models of the 150-series Nissan President ( non-vented disc ) in the mid-Sixties.

Vented and non-vented versions were sold for numerous models ( Skylines, Bluebirds, Sunnies, etc etc - so not just Zs ) as 'Sports Option' equipment, and were used by Nissan's works racing teams in all sorts of situations - even vented versions on the rear of some works Zs.......

If you are looking for new MK63 calipers, the vented versions are still available new from companies such as Kameari Engine Works. As far as I am aware, the non-vented solid disc versions ( narrower caliper ) are NLA, but you might find some deadstock.

Watch out for odd-spec versions that had bleed nipples in awkward locations too. There were many different versions.

Was there any particular reason why you asked ( EG looking for rebuild parts )?

I was just curious as to their origin. The caliper shown in the first post is on an early 260Z that is nearing the completion of a 25 year restoration process. I purchased the caliper set from Datsun Comp in the 80's. But I didn't know enough at the time to purchase the installation kit. The shop had hydralic lines with banjo fittings made up to complete the plumbing. The backing plates were trimmed to fit around the calipers.

I was thinking of purchasing extra seals and pads for future use. Are they still available>

Thanks for the hsitory lesson.

Fixitman

[HS30-H]

I was thinking of purchasing extra seals and pads for future use. Are they still available>

Yes, you can get the rebuild kits and good performance pad sets from the likes of 'Kameari Engine Works', 'Victory 50' and 'Pit Road' to name just three. Kameari have a USA distributor I believe, and you can order in English from the Pit Road website.

However, as far as I am aware the pad sets are for the wider vented caliper versions - you have the non-vented by the looks of it - and the pads are a different shape, so will not fit your non-vented versions. I have not seen the non-vented pads available for some years now.

I don't know about the USA, but here in the UK you can get good high performance pad sets made to order if you have the drawings for the pad. Surely you must be able to get that done in the USA too? I have dimensional drawings for the non-vented pads around here somewhere if you need them...... ?

Modern friction materials are much better than the old DS11 compounds that the original pads came with. I'm using an ENDLESS compound in the MK63s on my Skyline, and they have good bite and excellent fade resistance. Miles better than the old Ferodos in the wet too.

[fixitman]

Please email the non-vented pad drawing to dmwolon@comcast.net. It will come in handy.

Thanks for offering.

Fixitman

[Scarab155]

Those FIA calipers were standard equipment on factory Scarabs. Here's a sot of the specs on them and a photo. Craig sparkes

[fixitman]

Thanks for the info. I will keep the info for future reference.

Fixitman