How do I install new Brembo (Corvette c6) 4 piston brakes on a 76' Datsun 280Z?

[mahdi12572]

So basically the title says it. I got these new Brembo brakes from a corvette but its pretty big, and I need to change the rotor and brackets that holds the Brembo brakes. I have a 76' Datsun 280z. Can somebody please give me some advice/suggestions?

Here is some brief information about me and my car. I'm 19 in the US Air Force and is currently doing for fun. My goal is to make this car a daily driver. This is my first project car and I'm new to this forum. Its a 76' Datsun 280z and I'm swapping it with a VQ35DE 350Z Rev-up rebuilt 06' engine with a 360Z tranny 06'.

Any suggestions from you guys would be extremely helpful.

[SteveJ]

What inspired you to go with the Brembos from a C6? What rotors do you plan on using? What about the proportioning valve? Are you planning on doing anything with the rear brakes? Any idea of how much bigger wheels you'll need to clear the brakes and calipers?

You'll have a lot of custom fabrication in front of you. You'll need to figure out how to mount the calipers, too.

Have you looked over at Hybridz to see if someone else has done this?

How much do you know about brakes?

[SteveJ]

By the way, Google revealed this thread: Brembo's in 240z - Brakes, Wheels, Suspension and Chassis - HybridZ

It's not big on real info, though.

[psdenno]

Seems like you may be putting the cart before the horse on this project. Instead of getting a set of brakes and then asking how to adapt them to your car, you probably should be asking, "What's a good brake set up for a Z?" and then buying those calipers. As for the 350Z engine & tranny swap.....sounds interesting, but not "plug & play". You've picked quite an ambitious task or two for your first project. Oh to be 19 again Keep us posted on progress.

Dennis

[Travel'n Man]

I think I would ebay those out and start with tried and true mods...........keep us in the loop. By the way - the Datsun S30 brakes are more than sufficient for our cars.

A clean brake fluid flush - some good Porterfield pads and shoes - make sure everything is working (ie pistons and and cylinders). Bleed your system and your good to go.......unless you really just want something for show.

Check this out:

Brake upgrade FAQ - Brakes, Wheels, Suspension, and Chassis - HybridZ

[SteveJ]

Give the kid a chance. He may have a plan.

I lean toward him biting off more than he can chew, but he may learn more than I know by trying and not succeeding.

You have to admit that he does have ambition.

[Hardway]

Its his first post too so got to give them some credit for going big. As stated above, if he or she is dead set on using them they are looking at some real fabrication along with larger wheels to accommodate them. Of course given enough time and money anything is possible. Who knows, maybe he is a tech keeping stealth bombers in the air, then getting corvette brakes on an old Japanese sports car is not outside the realm of possibilities for them.

However, back to ground level. It is very ambitious and going with a setup that is tried true is a better route. I look forward to their updates.

[olzed]

A guy down here has put a 350 Nissan engine into a 240z. Goes extremely well.

[beermanpete]

So basically the title says it. I got these new Brembo brakes from a corvette but its pretty big, and I need to change the rotor and brackets that holds the Brembo brakes. I have a 76' Datsun 280z. Can somebody please give me some advice/suggestions?

Here is some brief information about me and my car. I'm 19 in the US Air Force and is currently doing for fun. My goal is to make this car a daily driver. This is my first project car and I'm new to this forum. Its a 76' Datsun 280z and I'm swapping it with a VQ35DE 350Z Rev-up rebuilt 06' engine with a 360Z tranny 06'.

Any suggestions from you guys would be extremely helpful.

Since you do not have any rotors you need to chose rotors first. Find out what diameter and thickness the Corvette rotors are. You will need to choose rotors that are close to the same size. Perhaps the Corvette rotors could be used. Get a dead one for free if you can and see how it looks. Can it be re-drilled to fit on the Z hub? What is offset? If the Corvette rotor can't be adapted to fit you can try to find another OE rotor that can be made to fit. Otherwise, get a flat rotor designed to be used with a hat and then design a hat of suitable dimensions. Look to Wilwood or Coleman for flat rotors.

Check the caliper to see which way they need to be positioned. The bleeders need to be at the top or reasonably so at least. If the Corvette has the calipers ahead of the axle swap them left to right so you can use them behind the axle with the bleeders on top. Now you need to try to determine the rotational position to clear the strut tube and steering arm, the lateral offset so the caliper is centered over the rotor, and the radial position (distance from axle) so the top edge of the pad is at or just below the top edge of the rotor. Make sure the rotor is at least 1/16" from any point on the caliper body. The rotors will expand as they heat up and get closer to the calipers.

Taking the various measurements accurately is not easy. You will likely need to make a bracket with rough measurements from a soft material (wood, plastic, etc.) and test fit it. Then you can make adjustments to get it correct. The final bracket should be steel (1018 or equiv.) with a minimum cross of about 3/8" in width and thickness.

Edited May 9, 2013 by beermanpete

[mahdi12572]

Wow thanks first the fast replies...really appreciate all the help. Include beermanpete! Il keep u guys updated on my progress. I'm ambitious to do this project, kept $15k since freshman yr high school just for this car. I plan on getting it done before I start my field training at the Air Force this September. I'm gonna first get the measurements down like beermanpete said and go on from there. But before I do, recently I noticed that my floorboard and the bottom frame that's holding the floorboard is very rusty and structurally unsafe. I'm gonna get this car reinforced and welded within the next week. Also, im getting the car soda blasted too. Currently the car is stripped down besides the dashboard. Trying to find the screws that r holding it down. Currently I'm trying to make a rock solid car as reliable as my 11' Corrola. Plus I'm on a tight budget. I'm happy that I chose this forum becuz all of u guys were really helpful. Il upload more photos this week.

[mahdi12572]

Sorry for the horrible grammar, trying to reply from my iPhone. Stupid autocorrect.

[olzed]

DEFINATELY do the bodywork and paint BEFORE anything else.