Akebonos vs Upgraded BBK

worldfamousz · 11-22-2010, 10:44 AM

The Akebono setup is a good brake kit overall. The one thing I do not like is the overall weight of both the calipers and the rotors. For MOST people who do light track duty, these calipers and brakes will work great. Unless you're a full on pro, I doubt you'd notice much difference between an aftermarket BBK and the akebonos with proper pad choice.

The oem pads are good for the street but I would highly recommend upgrading them to some better more aggressive pads for the track or aggressive driving. I would suggest Racing Brake 500's at the least or Endless pads we've had good luck with these.

for the rotors, Swapping out to the Racing Brake 2-piece will save you some much needed weight. the oem rotors are tremendously heavy.

The cooling on the caliper side of things is not bad at all, but could be improved for track duty. Running ducting to the CENTER of the rotors / hubs can probably benefit long track stints. Running some better fluid as well will help overall performance, I recommend MOTUL RBF600. Also, if someone comes up with a titanium backing plate shim for the pads, this can help reduce heat transfer from the pads and friction surface to the piston / fluid. We have these available for the older BREMBO calipers, but nobody has made them yet for the Akebonos. These shims are pretty standard fare on track duty GT cars as well.

So the Akebono's have good room to upgrade still, to compare to an aftermarket BBK (since most BBK kits will already come with a two piece rotor, aggressive pads, and slightly better cooling capacity due to rotor design). But for not much $ at all you can upgrade a few choice parts and have an equally matched brake system, without having to ditch the OEM Akebono kit. I wouldn't change them out if it were up to me...

JB-370z · 11-24-2010, 04:11 PM

My ap racing brakes are really squeaky, is there a better street pad then the stock ap racing pads?

ChrisSlicks · 11-24-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB-370z

My ap racing brakes are really squeaky, is there a better street pad then the stock ap racing pads?

Did you bed the pads? I find the Mintex Extreme pads only squeal occasionally under light braking, and mostly when the car has been street driven a few weeks in a row. I recommend a heavy dose of auto-cross to get things squeak free.

AP - Chris_B · 11-24-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB-370z

My ap racing brakes are really squeaky, is there a better street pad then the stock ap racing pads?

As implied in ChrisSlicks post, keeping a good, healthy transfer layer is important to these high performance pads. Re-bedding from time to time is generally a good idea. You can also try applying some high-temp anti-squeal, like Permatex's Ceramic Extreme Brake Parts Lubricant.

http://www.permatex.com/products/aut..._Lubricant.htm

It's not a wonder-fix, but does a pretty good job of getting rid of most noise. The best part is that is stays put until 1600°F, waaaaayyy better than the typical parts store stuff.

VIP-STATUS · 11-24-2010, 05:18 PM

yes AP

Fly1 Motorsports · 11-24-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIP-STATUS

yes AP

Lookin good Rick

!!!

RCZ · 11-24-2010, 09:13 PM

That is a stupid-good looking car. Amazing job VIP.

travisjb · 11-25-2010, 12:24 AM

I agree, looks great! just my imagination or are the wheels in first pic an inch bigger?

Jamaica · 11-25-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

I agree, looks great! just my imagination or are the wheels in first pic an inch bigger?

same wheel but the last wheel is in step lip.

Josh@STILLEN · 11-25-2010, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamaica951

same wheel but the last wheel is in step lip.

Hmm.. you're on top of it.. didn't think about their timelines either.. SEMA vs. their SS shoot.. and the wheel guys are always crafty in changing things..

Good catch!

Jamaica · 11-25-2010, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh@STILLEN

Hmm.. you're on top of it.. didn't think about their timelines either.. SEMA vs. their SS shoot.. and the wheel guys are always crafty in changing things..

Good catch!

Thanks! I love me some wheels.

VIP-STATUS · 11-26-2010, 01:55 PM

yes yes

here's some pix's on the Venaci 370z with AP 6+4 BBK on the track

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh@STILLEN

Hmm.. you're on top of it.. didn't think about their timelines either.. SEMA vs. their SS shoot.. and the wheel guys are always crafty in changing things..

Good catch!

Josh@STILLEN · 11-25-2010, 12:38 AM

Same car.. same wheels.. but you're right.. looking at the first pic.. it's just squished a little.. changes the perspective..

AP's look sick on that Z.. fantastic representation of the 370 IMHO..

travisjb · 11-25-2010, 12:42 AM

i think maybe the car was sitting 0.5in lower in first pic??

spearfish25 · 11-26-2010, 08:34 PM

I'm a fan of the black trim that comes down the A pillar and along the hood line. Very cool touch.

11-24-2010, 04:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
JB-370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 1,859 Drives: Stage 2 Twin Turbos Rep Power: 21	My ap racing brakes are really squeaky, is there a better street pad then the stock ap racing pads? __________________ ll Baker Tuning ll GTM ll Powerhouse Amuse ll HKS ll Up-Rev ll iForged ll AP Racing ll Pioneer ll SPL ll Bride ll Top Secret ll OS Giken ll GTM Stage 2 Twin Turboed 370z (First in Texas, Thanks To Baker Tuning)

11-25-2010, 12:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 190	I agree, looks great! just my imagination or are the wheels in first pic an inch bigger? __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

11-25-2010, 12:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 190	i think maybe the car was sitting 0.5in lower in first pic?? __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

11-26-2010, 08:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1858	I'm a fan of the black trim that comes down the A pillar and along the hood line. Very cool touch. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

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11-22-2010, 10:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
worldfamousz Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: so cal Posts: 52 Drives: mazdaspeed3 Rep Power: 16	The Akebono setup is a good brake kit overall. The one thing I do not like is the overall weight of both the calipers and the rotors. For MOST people who do light track duty, these calipers and brakes will work great. Unless you're a full on pro, I doubt you'd notice much difference between an aftermarket BBK and the akebonos with proper pad choice. The oem pads are good for the street but I would highly recommend upgrading them to some better more aggressive pads for the track or aggressive driving. I would suggest Racing Brake 500's at the least or Endless pads we've had good luck with these. for the rotors, Swapping out to the Racing Brake 2-piece will save you some much needed weight. the oem rotors are tremendously heavy. The cooling on the caliper side of things is not bad at all, but could be improved for track duty. Running ducting to the CENTER of the rotors / hubs can probably benefit long track stints. Running some better fluid as well will help overall performance, I recommend MOTUL RBF600. Also, if someone comes up with a titanium backing plate shim for the pads, this can help reduce heat transfer from the pads and friction surface to the piston / fluid. We have these available for the older BREMBO calipers, but nobody has made them yet for the Akebonos. These shims are pretty standard fare on track duty GT cars as well. So the Akebono's have good room to upgrade still, to compare to an aftermarket BBK (since most BBK kits will already come with a two piece rotor, aggressive pads, and slightly better cooling capacity due to rotor design). But for not much $ at all you can upgrade a few choice parts and have an equally matched brake system, without having to ditch the OEM Akebono kit. I wouldn't change them out if it were up to me...

11-24-2010, 05:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
VIP-STATUS Inactive vendor Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 465 Drives: 2009 370Z Red Rep Power: 259	yes AP

11-24-2010, 09:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1120	That is a stupid-good looking car. Amazing job VIP.

11-25-2010, 12:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
Josh@STILLEN The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 1,197 Drives: 2004 G35 Coupe 6MT Rep Power: 535	Same car.. same wheels.. but you're right.. looking at the first pic.. it's just squished a little.. changes the perspective.. AP's look sick on that Z.. fantastic representation of the 370 IMHO..