Cheapest BBK solution for a non-track setup?
 

Hey guys I don't know if this has been asked before, but I'm wondering what the cheapest BBK setup could be for me. I have base PW and I'm not looking to spend $3000 on a BBK, I was wondering what a cost effective setup might be. Maybe something like getting new rotors pads and calipers for the front, and moving the stock fronts to the back or something like that. Since I don't know much about aftermarket braking systems I'm just curious what options are out there besides $3000 full sets. Maybe even just new fluid and SS lines with better pads, but I'm also wanting to upgrade the looks. The stock base system just looks crappy. Any suggestions?


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you can always buy the akebono sport bbk ...i know a few vendors here have them at a good price

Akebono is what you need

whoa wait you can move the front rotors to the back? Just like that?

Z1 has a sport akebono brake kit on there site, that is what you need. I think it ranges from 1,300-2,000 or so good luck and keep us posted on what you do.

Cheapest bbk is by ksport. At $1600 for a pair so multiply by 2... Other than that the akebono like others have suggested.

so far this is the cheapest I've seen :tiphat:
Z1 Akebono Sport Brake Upgrade Package

The Akebono are VERY good for OEM calipers. Really the only reason to get something besides Akebono is to get a lighter monoblock caliper.

That's what a couple other people had said too, I was just hoping there was something more like $500 lol, this is more for aesthetics than performance do I was hoping there would be something cheaper lol. Thanks for the input guys!


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I wouldn't cheap out on something designed to stop your car at high speeds... :icon14:

With that being said, go with the Akebonos.

I understand what you're saying, I'm not trying to get cheap unreliable parts, but the stock system works fine so I just want something that looks a little better lol. Thanks for the advice!


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See this is more along the lines of what I was talking about. I'll still need calipers, but I figure that if I'm getting 20" wheels I'd want a bigger rotor to fill the wheel area. I can worry about calipers later when someone sells them used on here. Or find a wrecked 370 sport lol.
Z1 370Z / G37 Brake Upgrade Package (Non-Sport Models)

simple idea that's within the budget:

1 - New high quality pads plus braided brake lines. No need to spend on a new set of calipers and rotors. You should notice improvement.
2 - Call out forum bros who want to dispose of their low mileage sport calipers and rotors and you just get upgraded pads and braided lines.

:iagree: Literally the only good reason to "upgrade" from the Sport BBK
:iagree: don't cheap out with a no name like KSport
:iagree: OP, you want better looking CALIPERS or just cooler discs
The upgrade kit you posted is what axmea? is talking about in number 1

But since you said you want larger, what you want to do is hit up CZP or Z1 for their BBK, it's the cheapest and pound for pound the best

Huck, save yourself the headache. Get the Akebono's. If you don't like the color, you can have Mike powder coat them. I'm also using the Z1 stainless brake lines, ARP wheel studs, Racing Brake 2 piece rotors, Hard Racing Ti heat shields, and Yellow Stuff pads.

Thanks man, those look nice. That's probably what I'll do, but later on. I'm just trying to learn right now and get as much info as I can. I think that for now I may just powder coat the stock calipers, there's too many other things on my to do list right now :)


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sounds like your looking for something along these lines......


http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/sport...igredcover.jpg


:ugh2:

Lol

I like how they made the yellow calipers covers for those carbon ceramic rotors :)

uhhh Ksport isn't a no name...lol not sure if serious :ughdance:

lookup the ksport 350z driven by Corey Hosford

Ksport actually makes quite a good product.

Is he in the drift world?

yes sir.


Obviously his type of driving doesn't have much to do with the BBK conversation.lol But it just shows serious drivers will wear Ksports reputation.

Lol, God no. I would rather wait and spend money on a quality product, I just don't want to pay for the most expensive quality product out there when I don't need that much performance.


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You can't simply buy a larger rotor and expect to keep the same caliper.

Front Brakes on Rear = DEATH
 

I just thought I needed to chime in here on your original post of mounting the front brakes on the rear. That would turn your car into a death trap that would spin uncontrollably on hard braking.

Here is the first dirty secret on Big Brake Kits. They don’t create more braking force than a normal/stock caliper. I doesn’t matter if you have 4, 6, 12, or 64 pistons per calipers.

Now to get a little technical. The force that a caliper exerts is purely based on the total surface area of the piston (or pistons). You can have one large piston or 6 small ones (take a look at the size of the pistons on a six piston caliper compared to your single or double piston stockers) if they total up to the same amount of surface area they will exert the exact same force.

Now let’s talk about brake bias. The front brakes are handling a disproportionate amount of the force in slowing a car down. This is because the car is generally moving forward (transferring weight), has more weight in the front (i.e. the engine), and the suspension is pushing the front wheels down and lifting the rear wheels under braking. The manufacturers know this and this is why every vehicle on the road has disproportionate brakes (i.e. piston surface area) front to rear.

Wow, this really is a long winded answer… But I digress. What is the harm in mounting the front brakes (i.e. more piston surface area) on the rear? Well, on a normal vehicle when you exceed the available traction under braking (pretend we don’t have ABS) your front wheels lock (now you lose steering because you have no available traction) and your car follows the path of the unlocked rear tires and slides forward in a predictable straight line. Hopefully into a gravel pit and not a tree.

Let’s change that scenario. This time you exceed the available traction to your rear tires under hard braking. All your weight and momentum is still moving forward but with your front tires (still having available traction) acting as a pivot point causing your car to spin uncontrollably.

Here is the second dirty secret on Big Brake Kits. The ones that actually shorten braking distance exert LESS braking force than the stock brakes! I may explain that later…

Follow Up
 

And before I get the anticipated backlash… Yes, there are reasons why BBK are better than the stock brakes. But that is because of heat dissipation, availability of larger pads, ability to use different sized pistons to save pad life, easy pad change, etc…

I'm all ears. ;)

I got my flame suit on already BUT what caliper covers are those? I don't want any of that writing on there, but I like the look. I have baby brakes. I get it. But I hate how they look like they are 3 pieces. I like how that looks like one solid piece. All other caliper covers I have seen make your calipers look bigger, and thats the stupidest ricer thing I have ever seen. HOWEVER, if it is the same size and adds a little fluff to the brakes, by all means I'm in. Any info on those?

EDIT: disregard my last statement, I didnt realize they were glue on. No thanks :ugh:

I've been wanting to upgrade my breaks for awhile but just haven't convinced myself to spend the money quite yet, but I was looking at Z1's page and they state that the infinity caliper is the same thing and will fit our Z's and is about $200 bucks cheaper. I then went on Ebay, and there was several sets new and used ranging from 800-1100 for all 4. To me this seems like a pretty good deal and while they will have the infinity logo im sure you can powdercoat them and still save some money. Just another option.

I don't know why but for whatever reason, I thought you said "rotors" . I was going to say that Akebono rotors haven't impressed me at all. Rotors warped by 30K miles, did horrible at the track etc. But I have been impressed with Stoptech replacement rotors. So my suggestion for HUCK will be the same: get the Akebono kit for cheap. Drive a little bit. Then change the pads and rotors and trust me there are many option out there: from decent replacement rotors that costs $100 to $500 for two piece. Even with Stoptech replacement rotors and stoptech or Hawk pads, your braking performance will be noticeable better.

DUDE! I don't even know what to say ... :wtf2:

Haha don't ban me! I just don't like the baby brake looks and I have no money or need for Akebonos :( :( Plus, the base brakes are really good as they are to me. On my old 06 GT, it had drum brakes, so 4 discs are incredible to me! But goodness they couldn't have made our calipers "solid"? Even if they are tiny? I'm gonna paint them black anyways :tup: