STILLEN brake cooling kit

Nixlimited · 03-28-2012, 05:49 PM

Three things: (1) As others have asked for, please post pics of front of Z after install. Interested to see what the round inlets look like from the front. (2) Sounds like this may not work with a bunch of the oil cooler kits that sit in the area in front of the wheel well. (3) Is there any concern with water making it's way through the piping and splashing the back of the rotor, which may actually negatively affect braking in wet conditions?

wstar · 03-29-2012, 12:28 AM

Well, I don't have their kit in hand, but based on my homebrew setup currently (2.5" ducts from the fangs using Modshack's connection method, just dumping into the wheel well area), my guesses are:

(1) You probably do want to paint the front fang tubes. It's easy to do, just shoot them with flat black spraypaint meant for bbq grills before installation, so they're not shiny when you see them end-on (although you have to be pretty short to notice anyways).

(2) For oil cooler kits in front of the radiator, it should be a non-issue. Worst case you do a little messing around with hose routing. For the ones mounted off on the side in front of the wheel well... not sure tbh. It seems like you'd still be able to route this though, as it doesn't come through the *front* of the wheel well. Might just be a little tight in one spot?

(3) I don't think there's any concern about water, so long as you don't jam a garden hose into the fangs. It's a long and convoluted path, and what little gets through it would just vaporize on the brake side IMHO. Keep in mind your rotors are always getting wet in the rain anways, the outside is completely exposed through the wheel

Kyle@STILLEN · 03-29-2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

In regards to some posts above: I've torn down all of this front area and spent hours thinking through how I would design a "good" brake duct kit for this car. It's hard, and so I still don't have ducting all the way to the rotors. Props to Stillen for releasing something. I ordered a set through Z1 yesterday, so I'll get to play with it soon.

Stillen: I didn't see anything in the product literature indicating the diameter of the tube and the end fittings. The stuff I've been working with to date has been 2.5 inch, but that's part of the reason I never reached the hub, it seems impossible to get a 2.5 opening to the inside there without closing off a chunk of it, and 2.5 inch hose doesn't play well in the wheel well either. Is this kit 2 inch, or even 1.5?

We went with 2" tubing. This was the largest tubing we could fit without requiring modifications to the chassis/body work when routing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

Three things: (1) As others have asked for, please post pics of front of Z after install. Interested to see what the round inlets look like from the front. (2) Sounds like this may not work with a bunch of the oil cooler kits that sit in the area in front of the wheel well. (3) Is there any concern with water making it's way through the piping and splashing the back of the rotor, which may actually negatively affect braking in wet conditions?

1) You pretty much can't see the inlets unless you're looking directly at them or trying to find them. Keep in mind they're only about 6" off the ground. I see our red 370Z which has been fitted with them and I don't even notice it when I walk by the car every day.
2) I don't see why this won't work with any aftermarket oil cooler. It may take a little creativity on hose routing but there is no reason it won't still work.
3) There is absolutely no concern about water and/or debris getting into the system. As Wstar mentioned, these go through a lot of bends and any debris or water will be stopped well up the line. Even if water were to somehow make it all the way back to the hub, it would not be a large enough volume to cause any issues.

Nixlimited · 03-29-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle@STILLEN

1) You pretty much can't see the inlets unless you're looking directly at them or trying to find them. Keep in mind they're only about 6" off the ground. I see our red 370Z which has been fitted with them and I don't even notice it when I walk by the car every day.

Pics or BS

Thanks for your answers! Also, for those of us close to Stillen, how much to have you guys throw them on? I don't like bumper removal.

shadoquad · 03-29-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

Pics or BS

Thanks for your answers! Also, for those of us close to Stillen, how much to have you guys throw them on? I don't like bumper removal.

Not to derail, but bumper removal is pretty easy on our cars. I've done it twice now with no ill effects. It's a two person job, but only because you want to be careful when carrying it away from the vehicle and gently resting it somewhere.

RoshDawg · 03-29-2012, 05:45 PM

These only work with aftermarket rotors with directional air flow correct?
Just curious, what are the principle differences between this kit and the DIY brake cooling project some of us do? See: DIY - Brake Cooling Ducts
I was hoping for something that doesn't utilize the fang vents as I was hoping to duct air into my Gen 3's from there. Can't get a Stillen fascia either because I already bought a Stillen splitter + canards..

SPOHN · 03-29-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

These only work with aftermarket rotors with directional air flow correct?
Just curious, what are the principle differences between this kit and the DIY brake cooling project some of us do? See: DIY - Brake Cooling Ducts
I was hoping for something that doesn't utilize the fang vents as I was hoping to duct air into my Gen 3's from there. Can't get a Stillen fascia either because I already bought a Stillen splitter + canards..

I feel the Stillen kit is nicer than the DIY way. Which the DIY is nice and nothing really wrong with it. I just like the flanges that come with the Stillen due to they mount directy to the bumper and hub in a solid manner.

So far as using the vents for the G3's I wouldn't worry so much about that for the G3's are pretty efficient as is. You might not like the looks but you could buy duct inserts that can be placed directly in front of the filters. Unless rain is an issue.

As far as directional rotors they will benefit more. Not sure how efficient they are with a solid blank rotor.

Kyle@STILLEN · 03-29-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

These only work with aftermarket rotors with directional air flow correct?
Just curious, what are the principle differences between this kit and the DIY brake cooling project some of us do? See: DIY - Brake Cooling Ducts
I was hoping for something that doesn't utilize the fang vents as I was hoping to duct air into my Gen 3's from there. Can't get a Stillen fascia either because I already bought a Stillen splitter + canards..

I tried clicking the link to the DIY kit but it did not work for me. I'll post for now on some of your questions and if I can find the DIY kit in a search, I'll come back and respond.

These will work regardless of what rotor you choose. Every rotor wants to be cooled from the inside out. If you ever see a race car with ducting on the outside of the caliper, that is to cool the caliper. You always want to direct the air to the inside of the rotor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

Pics or BS

Thanks for your answers! Also, for those of us close to Stillen, how much to have you guys throw them on? I don't like bumper removal.

Installation is about $400.00. However, if you are getting a cooler or intakes or something else where the fascia needs to come off would be the time to do it as that in itself is a good amount of the labor.

wstar · 03-29-2012, 11:43 PM

IMHO, having pored over our DIY options for many months, I'd say the big thing the Stillen kit gives us is the replacement dust shield that's nicely machined with an optimal attachment for the hose. The rest isn't that hard to DIY, but Stillen's dust shields are $$.

Mike · 03-30-2012, 02:24 AM

I'm on a layover in Orange county tonite and will be stopping by to look at it in person in the morning to gain a little insight before I do my install. My kit arrived today at my house.

Nixlimited · 03-30-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Not to derail, but bumper removal is pretty easy on our cars. I've done it twice now with no ill effects. It's a two person job, but only because you want to be careful when carrying it away from the vehicle and gently resting it somewhere.

Any good DIYs? $400 for install is steep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I'm on a layover in Orange county tonite and will be stopping by to look at it in person in the morning to gain a little insight before I do my install. My kit arrived today at my house.

Please take pics from the front of the car!

wstar · 03-30-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

Any good DIYs? $400 for install is steep.

Stillen provides you with installation instructions, so there's your DIY

Nixlimited · 03-30-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Stillen provides you with installation instructions, so there's your DIY

I looked at them, but don't recall detailed instructions on removing the bumper ... but then I am a skimmer.

theDreamer · 03-30-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

I looked at them, but don't recall detailed instructions on removing the bumper ... but then I am a skimmer.

Bumper removal is in the OEM manual, but here is a DIY: DIY: Front Bumper Removal

Mike · 03-30-2012, 02:09 PM

you don't remove the bumper. just the undertray. You can remove it to mount the duct mounting flanges, but you connect the hose to those while they are on the car.

There really wasn't much to take a picture of. Just the ducts on the stillen fascia. They had removed the hoses unfortunately, and Kyle wasn't aware of that before I went. However, he did show me where to route them and some other stuff they have going on, so it was still a productive visit.

03-28-2012, 05:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 27	Three things: (1) As others have asked for, please post pics of front of Z after install. Interested to see what the round inlets look like from the front. (2) Sounds like this may not work with a bunch of the oil cooler kits that sit in the area in front of the wheel well. (3) Is there any concern with water making it's way through the piping and splashing the back of the rotor, which may actually negatively affect braking in wet conditions? __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

03-29-2012, 12:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	Well, I don't have their kit in hand, but based on my homebrew setup currently (2.5" ducts from the fangs using Modshack's connection method, just dumping into the wheel well area), my guesses are: (1) You probably do want to paint the front fang tubes. It's easy to do, just shoot them with flat black spraypaint meant for bbq grills before installation, so they're not shiny when you see them end-on (although you have to be pretty short to notice anyways). (2) For oil cooler kits in front of the radiator, it should be a non-issue. Worst case you do a little messing around with hose routing. For the ones mounted off on the side in front of the wheel well... not sure tbh. It seems like you'd still be able to route this though, as it doesn't come through the front of the wheel well. Might just be a little tight in one spot? (3) I don't think there's any concern about water, so long as you don't jam a garden hose into the fangs. It's a long and convoluted path, and what little gets through it would just vaporize on the brake side IMHO. Keep in mind your rotors are always getting wet in the rain anways, the outside is completely exposed through the wheel __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

03-29-2012, 05:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 17	These only work with aftermarket rotors with directional air flow correct? Just curious, what are the principle differences between this kit and the DIY brake cooling project some of us do? See: DIY - Brake Cooling Ducts I was hoping for something that doesn't utilize the fang vents as I was hoping to duct air into my Gen 3's from there. Can't get a Stillen fascia either because I already bought a Stillen splitter + canards.. __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \|

03-29-2012, 11:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	IMHO, having pored over our DIY options for many months, I'd say the big thing the Stillen kit gives us is the replacement dust shield that's nicely machined with an optimal attachment for the hose. The rest isn't that hard to DIY, but Stillen's dust shields are $$. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

03-30-2012, 02:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2188	I'm on a layover in Orange county tonite and will be stopping by to look at it in person in the morning to gain a little insight before I do my install. My kit arrived today at my house. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

03-30-2012, 02:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2188	you don't remove the bumper. just the undertray. You can remove it to mount the duct mounting flanges, but you connect the hose to those while they are on the car. There really wasn't much to take a picture of. Just the ducts on the stillen fascia. They had removed the hoses unfortunately, and Kyle wasn't aware of that before I went. However, he did show me where to route them and some other stuff they have going on, so it was still a productive visit. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

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