Base to sport package brakes question
 

Quick question, I have recently purchased new akebono calipers, rotors and pads for my 17 base model, do I have to purchase these non premium brake lines or can I use the base stock brake lines and just use the banjo short bolts w/ the crush washers? I will be doing the work myself, is this a good vacuum pump brake to execute the job correctly? I also will be using brake fluids 3,4 or 5.1. Thanks I'd appreciate it

Can’t help on the question bud; but Z1 will gladly answer for you...I know they offer some upgraded lines as well.

Thanks. Anybody that has done the conversion?

Did you check the Brakes and Suspension forum?

Just called z1 and they said I can use the base oem brake lines just using the banjo short bolts w/ the washers

I plan on the same upgrade for my 2012 base. How much is this conversion running you and how much were the calipers?

Recently did my conversion and found a used set including rotors, lines (hard lines also) and all necessary hardware for install, in great condition, for $800. If ur patient u'll find a set. All i purchased was new pads and fluid. Less than 900 all in. word of advice, i've know 2 who used the z1 banjo bolts and they snapped during install with very little force. Good luck.

A couple of thoughts: 1) you will have to trim or replace the backing plates so the rotors will clear. 2) I would use this opportunity to replace the rubber lines with braided stainless and new bolts/crush washers. Never take short cuts when dealing with brakes. :tiphat:

Use a power bleeder, not that hand pump bleeder. It doesn't work that well.

The hand pump vacuum bleeders don't get all of the air out. :shakes head:

There are several threads on this with all the information you will need to do the upgrade. Check Rockauto.com also, you can pick up rebuilt calipers powder coated or a kit with calipers, rotors and s/s brake lines for a much better price than Z1.

Honestly, unless you are tracking the car or driving the dragon every weekend this upgrade is really minimal for the dollars invested. The base brakes work great for a daily or weekend driver. The akebonos look great so if you are looking for cosmetics and have the extra $$ then go for it but dont expect alot of bang for the buck.

lol i have been driving with the new akebono calipers and rotors for a week. Thanks for your comment thou ;)

Just get the non-premium SS brake lines and call it a day. You don't need the banjo bolts - their only purpose as far as I can tell is just to provide another potential leak point.

I didn't trim my backing plates, but gave them a really cool looking mohawk. :tup:

For the fronts, we cut a bunch of notches into the backing plates then hammered them flat, then shot them with some Rust-O primer and black paint to keep them from rusting. On the rears, we did in fact trim them off completely.

I also purchased the $95 set of Z1 braided lines... And didn't use them. They sucked. No matter how we routed them and mounted the mounting tabs, they wanted to pull and bind up, and I just didn't feel comfortable running with them, so we just used the short banjo bolts on the stock "base" lines. I'll eventually swap them out for the "Premium" Z1 lines.

Lastly, the bleeder system I bought on Amazon and what they sent me was totally different, a.k.a. - Wrong! So we flushed and bled the brakes the old fashion way. Once done, the brakes on my Z feel a lot better than those on my brother's Sport Z of the same year, both 2016 models. A lot firmer and better stopping power.

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What????

Those banjo bolts are what connect the lines to the calipers. And for the Akebono calipers, they require shorter banjo bolts whether you use the stock lines are aftermarket.

I've had better luck with pressure pots than vacuum pumps. I have a Motive and love it. I can change the fluid alone in under an hour.