Budget Z32 Front & Rear brake swap (also rear 5-lug how-to)

[Ritz S14]

I hope this isn't a repost. But just trying to help those of you who would like better stopping power at a fraction of the price.

Well on my search for Z32 calipers I came across 26mm calipers for $175 shipped in the FS forum.. thinking the GB was asking $250 for 30mm.. I figure I'll go with the 26mm.. I know most of you wouldn't ever consider ebay, but I found z32 wrapped SS braided lines for $110 shipped front and rear(you can get these at the majority of zilvia.net sponsors but they aren't wrapped). The day I recieved my calipers I did some searching and found pads for 19.99+tax for the fronts from AUTOZONE which just opened down the street from my work. Then it took me a couple of hours calling parts houses for 26mm rotors, but I finally found them at NAPA for 28.99 +tax each which would arrive the next day.

So totalling the cost of calipers/rotors/brake pads/brake lines.. it came out to be about $375, just takes a bit more time and patience to pull together. But well worth if if you asked me.. The calipers I bought could have used a rebuild, but as I was examining it seemd in good enough shape to throw on, but I suggest anyone who buys a used/non rebuilt calipers to rebuild them or have them rebuilt. I already had a bottle of brake fluid laying around so if needed just add $10 or so to the price.
Here's a list to make things easier:
Calipers $175 (fs forum)
(2)Rotors~ $65 (Napa auto parts)
Brake lines $110 (Ebay/zilvia sponsors)
Pads $22 (Autozone)
Brake fluid~$10 (any parts store)
Total =$382



Rotors aren't pictured..but they're just NAPA banks..

You can always find cheaper/better parts.. But this is the route I took.. we'll see in a few days/weeks/months to see how they're holding up. Stopping power has dramatically increased by at least 30%(oh yeah no leaks yet:crosses fingers.Only bad part about this swap is that they don't clear my rims by about 10mm.. if anyone has them(spacers) let me know.. Hoped you guys liked the info.

[Ritz S14]

mixed matched wheels cause 2 SE wheels are bald, and my 17s don't clear by 10mm or so.

[TheSnail]

I got the complete rear brake conversion off a 300zx. I got the whole rear subframe. I needed the hubs and diff. My brother took the e-brake cables, for his conversion. So I have everything needed (-ebrake cables). Give me an offer for everything. Im cheap and I'm a nice guy.

-Snail

[Ritz S14]

PM'd ya

asldfjalsdfkjalsdkfjasdlkfjasdflaksjf characterlenght take that

[Ritz S14]

TheSnail you are one AWESOME DUDE! I think you SO kindly for hooking me up with the complete rear z32 brake assembly (Minus ebrake cables, but that's OK!).




Oh yeah, the box looks like a marshmallow when it arrived (no pics threw it away immediately, and the styrofoam pretty much looked like it was caught up in a blender

[Ritz S14]

Ok I have the rear z32 brakes installed, and the ebrake should be fully functional tomorrow. Sorry I don't have any pics at the moment because I my sister has my card reader, and the camera link is at the shop. So I'm going to do a "write up" first, pictures later. Just want to hear your guys input.

Okay removing the rear brakes. Forget taking off the caliper to access the pads, just remove the two 17mm bolts holding the caliper assembly, and leave the caliper aside. Now that the caliper is off, you can remove the hub. YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE WHOLE KNUCKLE THAT IS WASTING AN INSANE AMOUNT OF TIME!! There are 4 19mm bolts which can be easily accessible with a short 19mm socket and a ratchet. Once it's loose, you can use a 6" extenion to remove them(but do not remove them at this time). Next you would need a socket large enough to remove the bolt that holding the output shaft (forgot what size sorry). Now that the output shaft bolt is out you will need a slide hammer mounted to the hub to detach the hub from the spindle. So the hub should be out, but the 4 bolts in the back is holding it in place, now is the time to remove it. Staring at you is the output shaft and the knuckle. If you were to remove the knuckle expect roughly adding an hour to your completion time.

Okay if you have the complete e-brake assembly(if you don't, skip this part), the little hole on top of the knuckle is dirty/rusted. Solution: Insert the ebrake assembly into the hole of the knuckle, and tap it in with a hammer. Problem solved. At this time if you have extended wheel studs, install them now. I'll do a write up of my NISMO 60mm wheel studs tomorrow when I get back to work if anyone is intersted. E-brake assembly mounted, make sure to install the bolt securing the e-brake. To make the ebrake work you will need at least a foot of z32 ebrake cable along with your stock ebrake cable to work.. You'll see what I mean when I post the pics. You can now mount the hub back on, securing the four rear 19mm bolts, and the center outputshaft(dont' forget washer!).

(No ebrake assembly start Here)Now put the z32 rotors on, and you're now probably 60% complete. Install the caliper with the 17mm bolts you removed from the stock calipers, and make sure the washers are on there. Install pads,shims/pins and remove the stock caliper lines 10mm flare nut wrench. Install z32 conversion lines, bleed brakes and you're ready to test drive. Brake pedal with the z32 fronts feel just like stock. Brake pedal feel with z32 f/r rear brake setup feels very low, but solid. Pics tomorrow. E-brake pics tomorrow.
ALWAYS ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THE TORQUE SPECS ON THE BOLTS YOU'VE REMOVED WHEN YOU REINSTALL THEM.

Thanks to TheSnail, this setup only set me back roughly $160. +/- Feedback is welcome.

[Ritz S14]

[sw20>>s14]

Originally Posted by Smog Tech

ive been though the write ups plenty of times. granted, i havnt actually done it yet, but why do you have to hammer a part of the ebrake assembly. i havnt read anything about it yet...any more details?

edit: duh! to make it fit...nevermind...its like 3 and im tired

[Ritz S14]

The hole is rusted, rather than cleaning it.. I just hammered it in.

[michael1284]

so how did you connect the z32 ebrake to your stock ebrake -_-

[Ritz S14]

Damn it... lol I should have took pictures while the car was in the air. I'll try and do that tonight.

[Ritz S14]

There done!!!

Worked pretty well at the NCDA event.. can't wait till next Thurs!!