Rear disc options

[conedodger]

I notice a rear disc brake kit available on Ebay from a guy in Las Vegas. He has good feedback scores and perhaps he is a member here??? It appears to use an machined adapter and Maxima brake calipers. Anyone using this? What experiences did you have with install and use? My drums are about shot and I see they are NLA!

[jmortensen]

One thing to look out for is brake balance. Things like Toy 4x4 front calipers don't mate up well with drums in back, or a small disk conversion either. As for your available options, some of them are:

1. 79-81 ZX rear calipers and rotors

2. 82-83 ZX rear calipers and rotors with Maxima brackets

3. Modern Motorsports 240SX rear calipers with 300ZX rotors

4. Arizona Z Car Wilwood setup 12.2" with 4 piston calipers and no ebrake provision

5. Modern Motorsports extreme 13" brake package with ebrake

In truth there are a lot more but I'd say those are probably the most common ones.

If you're using stock front rotors and calipers and don't intend to change the fronts, I'd go for one of the first three. If you go to big 4 pot calipers in the front, I think the first three are going to be too small, and you'll end up struggling to get the bias adjusted correctly.

[Oiluj]

I installed the Toyota 4-piston calipers in front. They are an easy bolt-on.

Got a ZX rear calipers/rotor kit on eBay. Rears will be installed soon as I complete the rear axle rebuild. Tough part is disassembling the rear axles to get the drum backing plates off. I'm making an axle plate to attach to a slide hammer this weekend...

Should have the rears on in about two weeks, so I can tell you then how the install goes. Won't be able to tell you how they perform for several months when the car will be operational. Figure if I don't like the front/rear bias, I'll just add a proportioning valve.

[jmortensen]

Should have the rears on in about two weeks, so I can tell you then how the install goes. Won't be able to tell you how they perform for several months when the car will be operational. Figure if I don't like the front/rear bias, I'll just add a proportioning valve.

Julio, your brake system already has a proportioning valve in it. You could gut the stock valve and add an adjustable valve, but what happens if even when you adjust it all the way towards the rear you STILL don't get enough out of the rear brakes? That's what happened to me with the 4x4 calipers and early ZX rear disk.

The only solution I know if is another brake setup or dual master cylinders.

[RIP260Z]

Julio,

Unless you plan to replace the rear bearings, just cut the drum backing plate off. At a guess you are going to put on the maxima brackets (another reason to pull the hub off). I just cut the maxima bracket (see pic.) so fitting the bracket is easy and no pulling required. The Modern Motorsport brackets for their set-up don't have a "complete circle" around the hub, and with longer bolts (I found the brum back plate bolts too short) it will stay there.

[Oiluj]

Julio, your brake system already has a proportioning valve in it. You could gut the stock valve and add an adjustable valve, but what happens if even when you adjust it all the way towards the rear you STILL don't get enough out of the rear brakes? That's what happened to me with the 4x4 calipers and early ZX rear disk.

The only solution I know if is another brake setup or dual master cylinders.

Jim,

Thanks for the input. I did mean an "adjustable" proportioning adjustable valve. I won't be tracking the car, just street driving and perhaps the occasional autocross. I'll let you know how it goes. Worse-comes-to-worse, If it's really too unbalanced, I can switch them out at a later date.

.

Julio,

Unless you plan to replace the rear bearings, just cut the drum backing plate off. At a guess you are going to put on the maxima brackets (another reason to pull the hub off). I just cut the maxima bracket (see pic.) so fitting the bracket is easy and no pulling required. The Modern Motorsport brackets for their set-up don't have a "complete circle" around the hub, and with longer bolts (I found the brum back plate bolts too short) it will stay there.

Rip,

I did consider cutting off the backing plates until I saw how much play there was in the rear axles... Just a bit too much for my liking, so I figure with everything else I'm doing, it's best to at least inspect & repack the rear bearings or replace them. My plan at this point is to replace them. That being the case, it obviates the need for me to cut the plates off. It would have been soo much easier!

[clayton 260z]

I also used the Maxima swap with the Toyota front brakes. I have had them in use for well over a year and have had no problems.

Mike

<a href="http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x304/clayton260Z/?action=view&current=Dads1974260Z019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x304/clayton260Z/Dads1974260Z019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[jmortensen]

Jim,

Thanks for the input. I did mean an "adjustable" proportioning adjustable valve. I won't be tracking the car, just street driving and perhaps the occasional autocross. I'll let you know how it goes. Worse-comes-to-worse, If it's really too unbalanced, I can switch them out at a later date.

It's Jon, not Jim, but I get that a lot. I think the bias isn't really a problem until you're trying to get the very most out of your braking, so your average street driver may very well never notice the issue. If you get really competitive with the autoxing then it might be an issue.

[soundmasterg]

3. Modern Motorsports 240SX rear calipers with 300ZX rotors

+1 on that option!

I've got stock brakes in the front and the MM setup in the back with stock master cylinder and stock proportioning valve and it works very well and is an easy conversion. It does cost a bit, but you get what you pay for.

Greg

[Axmiester]

I also used the Maxima swap with the Toyota front brakes. I have had them in use for well over a year and have had no problems.

Mike

Clayton, I too have the Maxima rear brake upgrade. Where did u get those rotors? I cant find them online. This might be a dumb question as i am looking for Maxima rotors. I might be unaware of another or stock rotor fitting on them.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Axmiester

[clayton 260z]

Axmiester,

Mine came with the kit I bought. I bought them off Ebay but you can get them from any parts store. They also have them on Ebay, just make sure they are for 4 lug if thats what you have, or for 5 lug.

I hope that helps.

Mike

You might check www.zcarparts.com (motorsport)