Front Brake Rebuild Caliper Kit vs. rebuilt/reconditioned calipers

[Michael's Zcar]

I have a 1975 280Z and I would like to upgrade the brakes but also keep my 14" original wheels. If anybody has any upgrade ideas that will achieve this, that would be great if you would share your wisdom.

If I can't upgrade the stock callipers, I will have to either get a rebuild kit and rebuild the originals myself or purchase new rebuilt/reconditioned calipers such as Beck Arneley or Nugeon. Just wondering if it is worth it to stick with the original single piston callipers and rebuild them myself as long as the pistons are in good shape/worthy.

Thanks,

Michael

[EuroDat]

Not sure what you mean by upgrade. If its the looks of a big caliper front brake setup then most go over to the Toyota 4 piston units. Im not saying its the way to go.

Remember, you are playing with a setup that was designed by an engineering team with a lot of knolledge and R&D behind them. Fitting bigger brakes to the front is going to throw it out of balance with the rear brakes.

There is a guy by the name Eric, that comes highly recommended. A "restored" set will cost you $279 + cores, but is well worth it.

Datsun/Nissan 240Z Front Calipers

[Mark Maras]

I haven't had the opportunity to look at 280 calipers but my !st gen has twin piston calipers. I remember it well, One of the dumbest things I ever did. After blowing out the first piston with compressed air I foolishly stuck my hand into the caliper to block the air escaping from the open cylinder & blew the 2nd piston into the back of my hand. Z brake project was put on hold till I could use that hand again. As my son says, every bad decision started with " It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Did Datsun really use sgl. piston calipers later on?

[Captain Obvious]

I foolishly stuck my hand into the caliper to block the air escaping from the open cylinder

Haha! It's like bricking a camel.

[Mark Maras]

Perfect, I had fun explaining it to my wife.

[conedodger]

The aforementioned Eric is Eric Shea at PMB Performance (Search by that name).

He uses new pistons, none of the rebuilders will. They will look like jewelry when you get them back.

[Hardway]

If 280's use the same calipers as 240's I got some really nice rebuilt front calipers from Advance Auto Parts. I think they were like $25/ea when I got them several years ago. They worked perfectly and saved a ton of time and money in the end.

[cbuczesk]

240Z, 260Z and 280Z calipers are all the same.

Chuck

[Michael's Zcar]

Thanks so much for hooking me up with Eric.

My original stock callipers are currently on route to him in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes.

Thanks again Cheers Michael

[Michael's Zcar]

Thanks for the reply and yes as far as I know all the callipers are the same from the 240Z ,260Z,to the 280Z.

All Zcar's from 1970 to 1978 are stock factory original are single callipers.

My original stock callipers are currently on route to PMB Performance in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes.

Thanks again Cheers Michael

[Michael's Zcar]

Thanks so much Conedodger for hooking me up with Eric.

My original stock callipers are currently on route to him in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes.

Thanks again Cheers Michael

[Michael's Zcar]

My original stock callipers are currently on route to PMB Performance in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes.

Thanks again Cheers Michael