Forums/Z31P/z31-basics basic-modifications-basic-questions-aka-the-newbie-forum/Z32 Brake Upgrade

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Grendel9: (2009-05-27 02:24:04)

I finally got around to putting on the Z32 brakes.

To prep I read the upgrade write up on Xenon's site. The only thing I did different was concerning the thingamabob in the brake line port. I had originally chose to not take the calipers apart. Xenon's write up states to take the caliper apart and punch the thingamabob out. I took a wood screw that was just a little bit larger than the thingamabob hole. I clipped the tip off of the wood screw. I then screwed it into the thingamabob. Then I grasped the screw with pliers and hit the side of pliers with a hammer. It came right out. I did not damage any of the threads.

Trimming the dust shield was easy. I did a test fit on an extra pair of strut tubes, marked where I needed to cut, and then trimmed off the excess with a cut off wheel. I cleaned up the edges with a file. I took care of some runt areas and dents. I bought a can of caliper paint and painted them black.

I cleaned the calipers with all kind of tools and chemicals but could not get it to look like I wanted. I wanted it to be bear aluminum with a clear coat. It was almost as if the two halves were made of different material. One came out close to bare aluminum but the other was really dark. I decided to completely take them apart and soak them in chemtool. I am glad I did. The seal were perfect. I was concerned about putting them on without rebuilding the calipers. They looked like new.

I could not get them to look like I wanted so I painted them Black. I know its a boring but I didn't want to buy another can of paint.

I used Goodridge Stainless steal brake lines.

For now I am using AutoZone brake pads. I will upgrade later but I had them already so I used them.

I am using some cross drilled and slotted rotors for an 87 turbo. I have the Z32 rotors but I read that I would need to use spacers if I used them and the 87t rotors are the same size or really close to the same size. The rotors are perfectly centered with the Z32 calipers.

I am rolling with AE/86T wheels. When I read Xenon and Jason's write ups they stated that material may need to be taken off the caliper or the wheel to make them fit. I am glad that I had to do neither.

I need some new wheels to show off my work! I thought I had a deal on some 350Z wheels that I like but the moron sold them out from under me.

The results? Well they need to seat but I was probably hoping for more. The next time I am late for work I will let you know if they make a difference.