diy z31/2003 altima rear brake upgrade

Devil Man

Spectator
Found this and thought i would share it with you guys. But only if your super pro driver cause according to josh you cant have bigger brakes for anything less then being super pro!

this procedure is the same for s14 as it is for s13.

mods just sticky archive this and also change the word brake to rotor in the title plox


The link (to a best of 240sx link for the Q45/Z31 rear rotor upgrade on FA) is a great guide, but the fact remand that a bunch of washers were not something I wanted to have on my car. While I did not think the washers were unsafe, I just felt as if I'd rather no waste time with all of those little washers during pad change, considering that I go through a set a year with my track days haha.


Anywho, in the last few links of the tread, there was mention that 2003 Altima rear rotors may work with the setup...so being that I was going to change calipers anyway, I decided to give it a shot.

I procured a set of Z31 rear brackets from a local junk yard, and was on my way. I used a set of 2003 Altima Rear rotors (makes no difference of se versus sl model type) as well, being that the 'hat' was deeper. I was hoping that the deeper hat would eliminate the need to use all the washers to space the caliper.

So here is the install. I have included pictures with a washer between the hub and the bracket...this washer IS NOT NEEDED.Once I got everything installed, I realized that the rotor was no longer centered in the bracket, and that it would fit perfect without the washer.

So alas, here are the pics.

Car: 1997 240sx SE
Rotors: 2003 Altima (Model type of altima makes no differnece)
Calipers: 1997 240sx Calipers
Caliper Brackets: Z31 300zx


Washer is not needed! Z31 bracket on S14 hub

pump_01.sized.jpg



Same image, from front

pump_02.sized.jpg


Again, washer IS NOT NEEDED

pump_03.sized.jpg


From front

pump_04.sized.jpg



Front again

pump_05.sized.jpg


Upclose

pump_06.sized.jpg



Close again

pump_06.sized.jpg


With pad...fits perfectly on the rotor

pump_07.sized.jpg


from the side

pump_08.sized.jpg


Upclose

pump_10.sized.jpg


All together

pump_11.sized.jpg


Complete


pump_12.sized.jpg






Thoughts: Certainly there will be those who argue that 'Z32 rears are better' just because that's what has been regurgitated 100 times on forums, but I would love to see any quantified research showing me so. This setup allows a larger rotor with the stock calipers, stock e brake, etc etc...a perfect solution for a minimalist like me. I didn't feel like dickering around with the e brake cables, and getting the hubs, and all of this nonsense....plus it's expensive for minimal(at best) gains.

This setup worked great in many ways. One, if you're replacing the stuff like I was, it's essentially a free upgrade, sans the cost of the Z31 bracket. Secondly, I use Carbotech Xp12 pads (all around)...I can lock up street tires, so how much more 'stopping power' am I realistically going to have on the street? None, this side of a R compound or a slick, which even then is a waste of time on street.

On track I did notice a bit more neutral feeling when braking, and can honestly say that all 4 grab as the exact same time, as it should. I love the way the car reacts, and it's a general good feeling.

From a rice (appearence mod) standpoint I guess it's cool as it helps fill up rear wheels, but that would have been the last reason I ever upgraded brakes (to look cool).



Part numbers:

2003 Altima Rotor:
RAYBESTOS Part # 980070R

Z31 Bracket: To Be Added

Caliper: You can use S14 or S13 OE Rear Caliper for this, along with stock pads.

If buying new/remanned:
RAYBESTOS Part # FRC10584 (Right Rear)
RAYBESTOS Part # FRC10583 (Left Rear)
 
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LOL Carlos needs bigger brakes for his slow driving through Naples. I hope they don't over heat from all the intense driving you do......


ps. you better have banged your boss by now.
 
i think the calipers are stock , just the rotors are larger to provide more leverage/ brake tq ...

this

caliper is stock its just a larger size rotor i made a mistake in the title. you keep the 240sx pads and caliper. like i said im just passing the info along its a nice upgrade for better braking without the hassle of ebrake bla bla bla
 
I don't see how using the same small caliper on a bigger rotor is an upgrade, you still have the same braking force applied.

The only thing I see this helping, is the rear rotors cooling from a bigger area. But the brake sweep is still the same, so braking time/force will not be enhanced.
 
leverage is what affects braking force creating more torque due to the increased rotor size. i suppose the cooling might be another pleasant side effect.
 
leverage is what affects braking force creating more torque due to the increased rotor size. i suppose the cooling might be another pleasant side effect.

not true...
friction force = Mu x the normal force.
no area in that calculation. more pressure means more friction, but as you increase the area, the pressure goes down. larger rotors only increase the lever arm anyway. the friction area is determined by the pad dimensions.

Couldn't have said it better myself.
 
Has anyone ever put the stock 240sx front caliper on the back?

I have a pair and was wondering if that would work.

I think that it may increase stopping power a little but it wont be noticeable.

Good little write up though.
 
Couldn't have said it better myself.

braking isn't only determined by friction , there are a few things that come into account that would affect braking performance , in this case increasing the torque created by the same area of friction increases it's effectivity without changing any of the other variables , like number of pistons , size of the piston, size and material of the pad , size of the master cylinder , rotor design etc. even worn struts and bushings will affect breaking performance...down to spring rates,weight and size of the wheels , wider or skinnier tires.... it's a pretty broad spectrum of variables , is everyone's car goning to have the same results by doing the same size brake components but leaving other variables unequal?.....probably not.
 
in this case increasing the torque created by the same area of friction increases it's effectivity without changing any of the other variables

There is no increase in TQ, they use a stock 240sx caliper or a z31 caliper that exerts the same TQ just with a non-floating caliper.

So your argument of TQx is not even close.
 
there is an increase of leverage that cant be argued. with increased leverage they same calipers will be able to produce more stoping power.
 
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