New 4 piston calipers= lotsa fun

[Oiluj]

Not so quick there Oiluj, this is going to depend on the wheel as you can plainly see below.QUOTE]

Point well taken. All I can say is my wheels have plenty of clearance...

Do you plan to put in a spacer to improve clearance?

[=Enigma=]

Nope. I shaved the caliper and have no clearance problems now. I'll know for sure once I get it back on the road but since the caliper is stationary I don't expect any problems.

[logan1]

I just got back from my test drive, after installing Toyota 4X4 brakes with Napa premium pads and WOW... everyone should really consider this upgrade. I would rate this as important as Tokico struts... from a performance point of view "In my opinion". These things have so much more stopping power and better feel for impending lock up.. I can now rotate through the apex of a corner without having to trail brake so far past my turn in point that I over shoot apexes by feet. I'm now down to inches.... This really does work well and the insall only took 1 1/2 hours.

Could you please provide me with a parts list for the front and rear disk conversion.

[Zs-ondabrain]

The front calipers are from an 85' Toyota 4x4 and the writing on the calipers is " S12W " and it will bolt right up to your solid rotor in the front. No modification needed.

If you want bigger, go with the S12 calipers and Vented rotors, Not sure on the specifics.

Also buy a set of Earls Stainless Steel braided brake lines. (about $80 ?? I think.)

There are lots of choices for the rear. and I'll let the other guys tell you about those..... Guys??

I'm personally going with a set of 81' 280ZX rear calipers and rotors, to be bolted up to the rear using adaptor brackets that I got from a guy on http://www.hybridz.org

There are full writeups both here at CZCC and hybridz, Use the search button and edumacate yourself on everything before making a final decision, as none of them are cheap conversions. QAlso look into the bigger ZX master cylinder and proportioning valve.

Edited June 15, 2009 by Zs-ondabrain

[=Enigma=]

I believe there are two versions of the S12 & S12W caliper that can be used on the front of the Z. Both have a narrow and wide version for use with a vented and non-vented rotor. The ones from the 79-84/5 Toyota 4x4 Pickup are the narrow version and are a direct bolt on using the stock S30 rotor, and the S12W from a Toyota 89-95 4WD Pickups and 4/89-91 4Runner work with an 84' 300ZX non-turbo vented rotor. I believe the wide versions of the S12 and S12W came on the 6cyl 4X4 models, and the narrow versions on the 4cyl 4X4 models. Using the wide version with vented rotors requires a half inch spacer between the hub and the rotor.

I believe there is also an S12+8 which is a direct bolt on with the stock rotors. The differece between the S12+8 and the S12(W) is that the S12+8 has one large piston and one small, and the S12(W) has two large pistons. These also came in narrow and wide versions but I don't know the years for these. They are also a little lighter and smaller that the S12 and S12W.

Check the following links for more info as this has been covered ad-nauseum in previous threads. There is also info on what to do about the rears if you;re looking to upgrade there as well. Finally, check the Modern Motorsports site for upgrade kits and the spacer for the vented setup.

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=104735

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=103767

http://www.modern-motorsports.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=48

Finally note that any change to the brakes like this may require adding a manual proportioning valve, since the stock one was specifically designed for the stock setup. This also means that you lose the failsafe mechanism built into the stock porportioning valve. Some say the using the S12+8 narrow caliper with the stock front rotor does not requires this change, but anything else will. I'm playing ti safe and adding a manual proportioning valve. The upside there is that it's adjustable if you plan on doing any track time, but again, you lose the failsafe mechanism.

Edited June 15, 2009 by =Enigma=

[Diseazd]

Just ordered Wilwood front and rear for my 72.........I've got Toyota 4x4 for the front of the 71. I'll comment on the Wilwoods after installation. Details for front and rear and instructions for installation are at www.arizonazcar.com.

[AnthonyG]

Along the lines of this thread i have a question. background first. I got the 4 piston toyota calipers off ebay. and they work great. I was wondering about brake pads. im currently using the generic ones the seller send with them. they work great, but are there opinions or recommendations as to what is the best pad.

oh, it's a 76 280z.

and because i got the calipers that were for the solid rotor, not vented, fit fine with the stock wheels. barely. (195 70 r 14)

(and i am also working on getting parts for the rear conversion. got brackets for the maxima caliper, just need to get $ for the actual calipers, etc...)

[WW2Winger]

Pads depend on application and budget. Talk to "Tim" at Porterfield. He will listen to your application and sell you what is best for you.

[code3z]

What about a larger brake master cylinder? Remember, the stock setup pushes 4 pistons total (2 per side). With the new Toyota calipers, now your pushing 8 pistons total (4 per side). Does the brake pedal go to the floor when braking hard?

[70 Cam Guy]

What about a larger brake master cylinder? Remember, the stock setup pushes 4 pistons total (2 per side). With the new Toyota calipers, now your pushing 8 pistons total (4 per side). Does the brake pedal go to the floor when braking hard?

I've wondered about this too because even the Toyota truck guys go to a Land Cruiser master when they swap the 4cylinder calipers for the larger V6 calipers

[ChrisZ]

I have read about using the ZX master, i think it is called 11/16 but not quite sure if i remember right.

Chris

[Diseazd]

I believe that they recommend 79-81 280zx master cylinder.....I just ordered 2 from (believe it or not) REDAT. Nissan no longer offers it and you want to make sure you get one made in Japan(Napco or Tokico). 15/16 is what you're looking for I think.

Edited June 22, 2009 by Diseazd