Why are the 4-piston 30mm calipers better? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

/etc/shadow · 08-15-2002, 03:06 PM

Can someone explain to me why 4-piston 30mm 300zxTT calipers w/new rotors are better for braking when you can lock your wheels with the stock brakes? I'm pretty sure they are indeed better, I'm just curious as to why.

I do know that as far as fading and whatnot they are good, but what does infact make them better for stopping in an emergency?

240 2NR · 08-15-2002, 03:11 PM

Better modulation, more bite (to get really strong stopping on stock brakes requires a sportier pad that isn't as good when cold), more fade resistance, they get you girls (ok, just a lot of stares, mostly from car guys though), and they look badass.  It is a big difference in stopping power, try some and you'll understand.  

The ability to lock you brakes means very little.  I could lock the brakes in an 89 mazda 626 and I assure you they hads plenty of room for improvement.

ruf · 08-15-2002, 03:43 PM

Like 240 2NR said, it's not always about all-out braking force. Modulation and feel are equally if not more important than overall force, but the master cylinder also has a great deal of influence on these qualities. Fade resistance is important for track use where you are frequently hard on the brakes. When you get sticky tires, that's when you want to increase the overall braking power. Braking power is primarily determined by pad compound, swept area, and (radial) leverage. This is under the assumption that the hydraulic leverage is correct for the application. Feel and fade resistance are typically affected by pad compound and overall brake construction (calipers, rotors, MC, and lines).

kanekz · 08-15-2002, 08:09 PM

You want to stop quicker when your going fast dont you?  <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

*DSC* · 08-15-2002, 08:11 PM

Well, think how hard you have to push to make them lock up.  I know with stock brakes, I can't even begin to feel when the tires are about to lock because I'm pushing so damn hard.  Big thing about larger brakes is the ability to get the same ammount of brakeing force (and more, but once you've locked up it doesn't matter) with less physical effort...translating into better control.  It'll take some getting used to for sure, but I doubt you'll regret an upgrade to brakeing.  Also, get stickier tires and lockup will take more force (which you'll now have) and you'll be able to stop quicker.

PS: I can't lock up my tires on a well paved dry road with stock (OEM) brakes and falken azeins (205/55/16).  On a wet road I get down to 30mph b4 they'll lock.  So IMO tires are actually a bigger factor in stopping ability than brakes.

180wanab · 08-15-2002, 09:13 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Aug. 15 2002,9:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> So IMO tires are actually a bigger factor in stopping ability than brakes.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
haha, you beat me to it. tires are the NUMBER ONE performance mod. nothing else matters if your tires can't keep up.

*DSC* · 08-15-2002, 10:22 PM

Oh, I meant to ask earlier.  Anybody know the actual pounds of clamping force stock 240sx calipers have vs 300zx?

obruT ES 41S 79' · 08-16-2002, 12:40 AM

If you can lock up your tires with stock brake system, get better tires...

It's like saying that if you can break traction in any gear means the car is powerful. Then how can you explain that my anemic '91 D21 pickup with it's measly 134 crank hp can break traction in more gears than my 318rwhp S14? Tires...

DuffMan · 08-16-2002, 03:59 AM

The reasons are fade, fade and fade, as well as fade.

08-15-2002, 03:11 PM	#2
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Better modulation, more bite (to get really strong stopping on stock brakes requires a sportier pad that isn't as good when cold), more fade resistance, they get you girls (ok, just a lot of stares, mostly from car guys though), and they look badass.  It is a big difference in stopping power, try some and you'll understand.   The ability to lock you brakes means very little.  I could lock the brakes in an 89 mazda 626 and I assure you they hads plenty of room for improvement. __________________ Steve 93 240sx FB currently very clean and for sale

08-15-2002, 08:09 PM	#4
kanekz Zilvia Addict Join Date: May 2002 Location: California Posts: 802 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You want to stop quicker when your going fast dont you?  <img src="#/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'> __________________ Blitz!!

08-15-2002, 08:11 PM	#5
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, think how hard you have to push to make them lock up.  I know with stock brakes, I can't even begin to feel when the tires are about to lock because I'm pushing so damn hard.  Big thing about larger brakes is the ability to get the same ammount of brakeing force (and more, but once you've locked up it doesn't matter) with less physical effort...translating into better control.  It'll take some getting used to for sure, but I doubt you'll regret an upgrade to brakeing.  Also, get stickier tires and lockup will take more force (which you'll now have) and you'll be able to stop quicker. PS: I can't lock up my tires on a well paved dry road with stock (OEM) brakes and falken azeins (205/55/16).  On a wet road I get down to 30mph b4 they'll lock.  So IMO tires are actually a bigger factor in stopping ability than brakes. __________________

08-15-2002, 10:22 PM	#7
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Oh, I meant to ask earlier.  Anybody know the actual pounds of clamping force stock 240sx calipers have vs 300zx? __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-15-2002, 03:06 PM	#1
/etc/shadow Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 167 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Can someone explain to me why 4-piston 30mm 300zxTT calipers w/new rotors are better for braking when you can lock your wheels with the stock brakes? I'm pretty sure they are indeed better, I'm just curious as to why. I do know that as far as fading and whatnot they are good, but what does infact make them better for stopping in an emergency?

08-15-2002, 03:43 PM	#3
ruf Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Reflex Racing, Los Angeles,TX Posts: 1,160 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Like 240 2NR said, it's not always about all-out braking force. Modulation and feel are equally if not more important than overall force, but the master cylinder also has a great deal of influence on these qualities. Fade resistance is important for track use where you are frequently hard on the brakes. When you get sticky tires, that's when you want to increase the overall braking power. Braking power is primarily determined by pad compound, swept area, and (radial) leverage. This is under the assumption that the hydraulic leverage is correct for the application. Feel and fade resistance are typically affected by pad compound and overall brake construction (calipers, rotors, MC, and lines).

08-15-2002, 09:13 PM	#6
180wanab Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 9 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Aug. 15 2002,9:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> So IMO tires are actually a bigger factor in stopping ability than brakes.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> haha, you beat me to it. tires are the NUMBER ONE performance mod. nothing else matters if your tires can't keep up.

08-16-2002, 12:40 AM	#8
obruT ES 41S 79' Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 18 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you can lock up your tires with stock brake system, get better tires... It's like saying that if you can break traction in any gear means the car is powerful. Then how can you explain that my anemic '91 D21 pickup with it's measly 134 crank hp can break traction in more gears than my 318rwhp S14? Tires...

08-16-2002, 03:59 AM	#9
DuffMan Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: in a cardboard box Posts: 2,517 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The reasons are fade, fade and fade, as well as fade.