In the test that was conducted against the Vito Van with the ABS turned off, it is said that all 3 Zeds locked up the wheels under heavy braking (although this is disputed as we have seen on the thread). Also on that thread it is said that upgrading the brake disk size only effects the initial bite of the brakes

 

Next point - JeffTT (Zedworld owner ???) detailed a very good outline of the ABS system on another thread, how ABS works etc and why it won't work with a lot of upgrades.

 

Am I silly in thinking (or missing something somewhere) that what is the point in upgrading calipers & disks, customising brackets etc which can cost a heck of a lot of time and money unless it is stated specifically that the braking system works with the Zed's ABS and brake master cyclinder? If my take on it is correct, I have read articles on magazines which have modified the BHP of the ZED and then decided to get massive custom brake setups to make sure "they have something to stop the monster". Here is an example :

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/9902scc_project_nissan_300zx_part_3/index.html

These are street cars so surely the heat build up isn't an issue.

 

Now I have scoured the web to see if I could find anybody who can customise ABS set-ups but drew a blank also.

 

End thought - even though the disks aren't huge, the calipers aren't the biggest out there, unless specific upgrades such as Stillen, Brembo (possibly K-Sport but would have to verify) and a limited few others are chosen, there is no point in wasting money on braking systems that lock the wheels.

 

Am I right???

My personal opinion is that the best way to spend money on the brakes of a Zed used on the street is the rebuild the standard calipers, decent pads and disks and new fluid. Lots of people think the standard brakes are rubbish, including myself until I did all this, now they are more than satisfactory, I considered going for bigger etc but decided this was only descessary for cars used on the track.

4 pot and two pot brakes are far from poor equipment, but the zed is heavy, remember that

4 pot and two pot brakes are far from poor equipment, but the zed is heavy, remember that

 

I agree but does the weight cause more heat in the standard pads as it tries to slow down thereby causing brake fade? If it does could we not combat that by using better pads such as Redstuff rather than the OEM ones at little extra cost?

yep, but the best thing for brake fade is simply slotted discs, they work a treat

Yep, Bigger brakes do not mean shorter stopping distances.

 

The optimum braking force is the point just before the tyres lock up on the road.

 

Larger brakes (and stiffer calipers) can reach the tyre lock up quicker which can potentially help reduce braking distance but its primarily the tyre friction that affects braking distance. If the brakes are powerful enough to lock the tyres up then they are capable of stopping a car just as quickly as Bigger brakes.

 

Larger brakes will feel like they offer far superior braking, because the pedal feels firmer and will require less pedal force for the same braking affect. So they feel more responsive and instant. Not to mention that most people are replacing tired 15yr stock brakes with new brakes and new fluid at the same time.

 

Its the resistance to Brake fade and fluid overheating that Larger brakes are designed for. Sustained repetitive braking from high speed will cause brake fade and/or boil the brake fluid in a very short time with stock sized brakes.

 

Also, Big brakes kit come into play as you increase tyre friction (with aero and tyre friction(slicks) improvements. More friction means more room for Brake torque to come into play.

 

When moving to Larger brakes and wanting to retain correct ABS operation then you need to ensure the brake setup retains the same overall torque and pressure ratios as the stock system. Front and back - Brake bias is very important also.

 

Stoptech are well documentated in there development for this, and have published quite a few white papers on big brake kit principals.

 

I believe the GTR setup is ok with ABS, and there may be other kits out there that do the job fine...wether that's through design or through luck I don't know.

Edited December 13, 200817 yr by Yowser

Slotted discs do very little to help with brake fade. They do help reduce pad glazing and keep heat gases away though, but in the grand scheme the affect of slotted discs on brake fade is negligible.

 

Aside from going larger (which really is the best cure, since a greater surface means better heat disipation) , another popular option is brake cooling ducts - Ducting to force cool air on the discs surface at speed. The Series 2 300zx has air guides attached to the Tension rods to help with brake cooling.

 

Other improvements include Race pads (handle higher temps better at the sacrifice of cold braking), 2 piece/floating discs using Alumiunim hats and discs with improved venting veins.

 

There are other misconceptions about brake fade such as a mushy pedal. When the pedal goes soft and mushy that is Boiled brake fluid, not brake fade and the fluid needs to be replaced.

 

When the pedal retains its usual firmness but the braking detoriates, that's brake fade.

Edited December 13, 200817 yr by Yowser

So Legrath, would your opinion be similar to mine, SuffolkZX and Pete21st (I think you agree Pete?) - irrelevant of the BHP of the car, the stock braking system if refreshed and renewed is a very good system for a Zed street car and really doesn't necessitate upgrading? (A track car is obviously different due to the continuously braking from high speeds). If upgrading only use the systems which are designed for the 300zx abs braking system e.g. Stillen, Brembo, Stoptech, K1Sports (still have to check this one out!!)