26mm brakes

[mixxamike]

I've done a lot of searching on this topic, but haven't found a difinative answer...I'm on the verge of buyinng Z32 brakes, but am still debating over whether to get 30mm or 26mm brakes. Here is what my thought process has been.--->

-30mm are better than 26 because they're bigger.
-iron is better than aluminum because it dissipates heat better.

Now i'm thinking --->

-26mm are much lighter than 30mm and might in fact be better for what i'm using them for. (30mm=overkill???)
-Heat dissipation may not be that big of a deal considering these are the same brakes that were used to stop a beast of a car (300xs).

I autox on a regular basis, i'm now seriously considering 26mm brakes...what are your opinions?


Thanks
-Mike

[drift into a curb]

You should consider if you have the wheels to clear the brakes. Thats the only reason you may want to go with the 26mm. I believe stock 240sx (certain designs) clear the 26mm. If you have aftermarket rims, just make sure they clear.

If you're worried about weight, I believe aluminum is lighter than the iron. If you're worried about heat dissipation, run some dryer tubing from the bumper to your rotors to provide some additional cooling. With both brake calipers using the same brake pads, it may be up to you what parts are readily available; rotors/pads/calipers/hardware. Mainly what is convenient for you.

Also, you'll be running auto-x. I have yet to compete in auto-x events, but aren't they really short laps around the course in 2nd/3rd gear? I think z32 brakes are overkill in general for an auto-x course. If you're road racing, the z32 would be more of a recommended upgrade where you'll be up to 4th gear and braking hard from 90+mph straights. Maybe all you need is upgrade to some aggressive pads/rotors/lines/fluid. Just a thought.

[mixxamike]

so the 26mm brake set up seems to be a pretty decent one?

any more opinions?

[Salty_X]

-30mm are better than 26 because they're bigger.
Yes. More mass = more heat capacity = more resistence to fade

-iron is better than aluminum because it dissipates heat better.
I have no idea about this, but you know there are both iron and aluminum versions of 30mm calipers right? Don't limit yourself to 26mm just because they're aluminum.

I'm not sure how important caliper heat dissipation really is though honestly. I think most heat dissipation is done by the rotor, which is made of the same material (iron?) for both aluminum and iron versions. If you run in Auto-X you'd probably want the aluminum ones just for less unsprung weight. Whether you choose 26mm or 30mm depends on how much caliper clearance you need with your wheels (26mm will fit behind certain S13 SE wheels).

[mixxamike]

Thanks Salty...I'm not limiting myself to 26mm because they're aluminum, if anything it was a concern of mine. I'm fully aware of the other 30mm possibilities.

Basically, i've come to the conclusion that 26mm will do the trick. Objections anyone?

[old_s13]

finding good quality rotors for the 26mm calipers is more rare because these calipers were ONLY available on the 1990 NA Z32.

IMO, the alum vs cast iron 30mm rotors is all crap discussion, both are good and the only differences in my opinion are weight. both handle the abuse fine as i have had no issues with fade or caliper failure due to them being aluminum. only thing you have to make sure is running proper sized wheels 16" or larger.. because the larger Z calipers need good ventillation.

thats it.

- mike

[s14unimog]

Suggestion: buy my 26mm aluminum z32 brakes

[S14DriftR]

you can get quality rotors for the 26mm's, I have some powerslot ones for mine, I chose them for clearance issues, but still havent tried to fit with my mesh wheels, hopefully they will clear.

[nismo2491]

actually aluminum doesn't hold heat, heat an aluminum foil up on the high setting on the stove and then pull it off the stove. touch it 30 seconds later, its not too hot anymore. now try that with iron, you'll have blisters on your hands. that to me says the aluminum is more fade resistant
KEvin

[ryan hagen]

i got rid of my 26's cause the power slot rotors for them were 100$ ebay price more expensive than 30mm, 150 vs 250, and the 26's were less upgradeable, the 30's u could do the vr4 which is hard to find good rotors for, but the 30mm i think can actaully be cheaper all around, for the calipers and rotors.

[cdlong]

actually aluminum doesn't hold heat, heat an aluminum foil up on the high setting on the stove and then pull it off the stove. touch it 30 seconds later, its not too hot anymore. now try that with iron, you'll have blisters on your hands. that to me says the aluminum is more fade resistant
KEvin

that's a good analogy but you have to know that aluminum doesn't absorb as much heat as iron either. it's a toss up which would be more fade resistant. the reason nissan switched to iron is because the aluminum couldn't handle all the heat and warped under some conditions.

i would go with the 26mm ones, that's what i want to put on my car.

[old_s13]

you can get quality rotors for the 26mm's, I have some powerslot ones for mine, I chose them for clearance issues, but still havent tried to fit with my mesh wheels, hopefully they will clear.

powerslot isnt a rotor manufacturer - they just modify rotors with slots and holes.

besides, the cost of the 26mm rotor is more expensive than the 30mm rotor as its much less popular.

- mike

[no-face]

I would have to agree with the person that commented earlier. Your biggest concern should be wheel clearance.

I run the 26mm calipers on my 91 240sx and need a 10mm spacer for my 16x7 +25 wats to fit. I didnt account for that back in the day and it took me a while to find a decent spacer.

[ryan hagen]

powerslot isnt a rotor manufacturer - they just modify rotors with slots and holes.

besides, the cost of the 26mm rotor is more expensive than the 30mm rotor as its much less popular.

- mike


power slot doesnt use holes, at least none of the ones i have ever had have holes, 2 of the 3 sets i had say brembo on the rotor, so at least they use good blanks, which one are you saysing is less popular, cause regaurdless of being popular there are a hell of alot more 30mm than their are 26mm.

[Salty_X]

Brembo doesn't make 26mm rotors, but Bradi (an offshoot company of Brembo) does. :)

[pruto]

ok, you want my sugestion?

don't get z brakes if you're going to autox. getsome really nice bads and rotors. why?

you don't really need z brakes for autocrossing, max time for a lap is 90 seconds, you get 3-10 runs over a course of a day. No brake fade at all. Also, z brakes puts you in a totally different catagory (unless you're already screwed in this department)

when i started autocrossing with my car i had z brakes and shock/springs. the brakes threw me into a class that put me against guys with full cages/race coilovers/gutted interiors. I didn't really care cause i was just learning and having fun. But just something to consider.

The reason why i don't autocross anymore is cause the class limitations are just messed up. nismo power bar is illegal, aero pieces are illegel except in STS/STX, any adjustable suspension parts are illegal for most classes. Its hard unless you mod your car with the SCCA rule book open, and i just don't believe in that.

[mixxamike]

brembo does make 26mm rotors...Heavy Throttle (http://srswap.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=33&cat=Brake+Rotors) :)

[Salty_X]

brembo does make 26mm rotors...Heavy Throttle (http://srswap.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=33&cat=Brake+Rotors) :)
I have 26mm Z brakes, and I bought my rotors from Heavy Throttle. They were not Brembos, but rather made by Bradi IIRC. I know for sure they weren't Brembos though.

[mixxamike]

ok. thanks ;)

are you happy with those rotors? ie. good quality? Did you have yours cross drilled or slotted?

[old_s13]

brembo does make 26mm rotors...Heavy Throttle (http://srswap.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=33&cat=Brake+Rotors) :)

is that why it *doesnt* say BREMBO?

quoted off the site
"Cross Drilled & Slotted Rotors, Nissan Z32 26mm, Front Pair, Silver"

Besides, brembo doesnt sell cross-drilled rotors.. unless its for their big brake kits or for production cars that come with drilled/cast rotors.

- Mike

[Salty_X]

are you happy with those rotors? ie. good quality? Did you have yours cross drilled or slotted?
Oh yeah they're very nice rotors. :)
Mine are drilled and slotted. I've heard HT gets them done through iRotors.com, but I'm not sure about that..

[drift into a curb]

iRotors is good stuff. He's local to the so cal guys and I haven't had any problems with their drilled/slotted set.