The brakes on my '71 240 need to be upgraded, and i was thinking of pulling off the brakes from a 280zx (later model 80-83), and i was wondering what bits i actually needed from the 280zx. It would be annoying to go to the wreckers and get the brakes later to realise i am missing a part... Thanks in advance

Alan, Australia

 

check out this
http://www.zhome.com/rnt/FordPower/index.html

read there... he used the 300zx rotors with the 280zx calipers... this is a good system... vented with the 2 pot calipers... prolly what i'll be doing... i think that is what he has done... , the rear you can just leave the drums or go to 280zx rear discs alot more work there thou...

<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider

 

Another cheap, but effective upgrade is the use of the Toyota 4-spots on the standard discs. Only costs ~$250, with almost zero modifications to the existing system (remove disc backing plate & re-bend the brake line to line it up with the caliper). A good 'Stage-1' upgrade, that gives the 240 a heck of a lot more braking.

 

PS
If you want to go this upgrade, but have buggered rotors, I have a set of DBA's that have only done about 2,000 miles that you can buy for $100 each (1/2 the new price).

These were put on our 'rough' 240Z when we bought it, as the ones on the car were waaay undersize. The car was only driven for a few months before getting stripped in preparation for it's RB25DE & G-nose conversion.

Too many projects, not enuf money....
'82 MR30 Turbo (mine).
'73 S30 Twin-Turbo to-be (mine).
'73 S30 Twin-cam to-be (dads).
'71 510 FJ20 Twin-cam (dads).
'81 910 wagon parts hauler (ours).

 

What car do you get the toyota calipers off?

Alan, Australia

 

I think the toyota calipers were off a Hilux 4x4, not complety sure, this will help with the stopping power, but the main problem is heat, and since the stock discs on the Z are non vented, that is the problem for brake fading, i get it alot after heavy driving,

Ben, wats good about the DBA discs, are they vented or are they just stocky non vented discs, i went to the DBA web site and looked at the catalog, it said the discs were vented if i am not mistaken, but not completly sure

<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider

 

would putting on bigger brakes at the front affect the handling? In race cars altering the brake balance changes the handling, but does this apply to street cars?

Alan, Australia

 

what year Hilux is it?


Alan, Australia

 

ummmm 82, i did some research when i was looking for a cheap brake upgrade, but i thought for 250 i might as just spend another 200 and get a venteds at the front... havn't done it yet thou, need more money... heat is the problem,

go to the wreckers, 4x4 wreckers, and find a 4x4 hilux around 81-83 model, and look at the front discs to see if they are similair to what you got now, just alot bigger

<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider

 

so you only need the calipers?


Alan, Australia

 

I already looked into this I went to Toyo Spares which is located in Australia because my friends was after some toyota parts for his Celica and I thought I'd ask about them but the guy there told me it's not a great idea because there just too heavy there huge looking things and he said I'd be better off going for RX7 brakes which I'd have to agree as Hilux brakes sound a bit stupid. You could try going for RX7 brakes for GT4 brakes as I've heard of both being done.
Your call really but I wouldn't touch the Hilux gear if I were you.

Gavin,
1973 Datsun -=240z=-
1975 Datsun -=260z=- (Totaled by WRX)

 

heaps of people have done it haven't they though? I don't mind what gear it is, along as it is easy to install and relatively cheap

Alan, Australia

 

LN65 4x4 Hilux, the DBA rotors I have are just new, standard items(not drilled or slotted).

For all you people in the land of '000's of S30 Datsuns (the USA), parts can be a little more expensive here in Aus. That's why I had to pay $200AUD per disc. But when you think about it, the Nismo drilled discs are ~$85USD each, so by the time they were freighted here, buyting some DBA's isn't that expensive after all.

Yes the 'lux calipers are heavy, but not much more than the 2-spots that they would be replacing. The installation is about 1/2 hour per side & the braking improvement is quite good. If you are serious about brakes, then the upgrade that Kyle is sell at strictlyz is the way to go. I will be doing something like that in due course, but my car isn't even on the road right now...

The SIV RX7 upgrades are retailing for around $1200AUD for a package (don't quote me on the price - call Craig Williams at Mad Dat on 0412160025 & tell him I sent you). There is a bit of fabrication involved, but all of his parts are engineer approved.

Having said all of this, if you want to race in any kind of restriced class, you will have to use the original calipers & some good pads. Have you seen how well Peter Hall's white 240Z stops at Mallala?

 

Does just putting the toyota calipers on the front upset the brake balance making the car oversteer or understeer more?

Alan, Australia

 

The calipers from an 88+ toyota 4x4/Hilux will bolt right on all you have to do is cut the dust shield to the right shape or remove it and then rebend the brake line.
If you want vented rotors the 84 300zx rotors will work but you have to make an ofsetting spacer because the hat is shorter then stock. check out this site for more info http://www.geocities.com/dave240z/fbrake_2.htm
I believe the reason these calipers are interchangeable is because they where both made by sumitomo.

 

Bias was pretty good with the LN65 calipers. I (among others) have done the sums & piston displacement (fluid-wise) difference was minimal. I guess that the rear brakes may not be contributing as much (based on the extra efficiency of the new front calipers). But there were no noticable negative side-effects.

When I put the disc-brake rear on the car, well that's another story... (A bias valve will be installed)