brake question

[bbaker]

I have a 1972 240z that I rescued right before it went to the junkyard rebuilt the motor cleaned it up and have been driving it for the better part of a year as my dd decided it was time for new brakes and rotors. Bought new rotors and pads and dissasembled everything and found out the calipers have been changed to 4 piston calipers. My question is where do I start looking for the pads that fit? Nothing looks modified so it must be a direct bolt on replacement from something but what? I woulg greatly appreciate any ideas thank you

[beermanpete]

Most likely the 4-piston calipers are from a mid-80s Toyota 4X4 truck. These are popular as an upgrade.

[240260280z]

http://hyllest.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/toyota-4-piston-brakes-on-your-datsun/

http://www.zcarcreations.com/howto/caliperpage.htm

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?3571-4-piston-brake-conversion-questions

[240260280z]

Triumph guys do the same!

Some test data too: http://www.vtr.org/maintain/brake-conversion.shtml

[FastWoman]

Just a note on the non-OEM brakes: They might perform better than the original brakes, but if you ever run into anything/anyone, you might have a problem. Those brakes are not certified by any authority as "safe" on your vehicle, unlike the less safe OEM brakes. So if someone sues you, you can't fall back on the argument that your car's safety systems were all approved by the US DOT. I briefly considered 4-piston brakes, but I decided against them for this reason. I'd frankly go back to OEM if I were you. Too many lawyers!

Edit: OTOH, there are safety inspections in many states, in which the inspector certifies your vehicle as safe. That's a flimsy defense, but at least it's something.

Edited April 25, 2012 by FastWoman

[John Coffey]

How would any non-Z person know the Toyota calipers were not OEM? There are no adapters, its a Japanese manufactured part, and there is lots of documentation from the FIA, JAF, and SCCA from 1971 and later showing those calipers are a racing legal swap for various classes. It would pretty easy for a competent lawyer to shoot down any non-OEM safety claims just using the FIA 3023 homologation papers.

[bbaker]

Just an update to my brake adventure. Found 82 Toyota 4x4 pads fit perfect but also found one side of the passenger side caliper was frozen solid which explains a lot. Now the real fun begins. Call the semi local Kragens tell them what I have first thing they ask is what engine. Tell them I dont know I think they only came with one engine . He says go look under the hood it should say what engine it is. I tell him I will but it wont do him much good then repeated the fact they were retro fitted into a z. He proceeded to tell me that a 240 was made by datsun and not toyota. So I told him thank you for that brief bit of enlightenment but do you have calipers? He said he needs the engine size so I told him it was an L24 he said thats not right they only came with a 22r. So the next question from me was if you had that information why are you asking me? He couldnt answer but after all that and describing the caliper it turns out they do carry it and will pick it up today. I appreciate the help from you guys the education I get from here is priceless

[SteveJ]

If you want to avoid the hassles in swapped parts, Rockauto is probably as good as if not better than the chain parts stores.