Brake decisions, dont need info need opinions

[phrozen]

Well my brakes are pretty much gone, and looking to get either stock performance replacements(bremebo slotted, good pads, ss line, rebuild calipers). Its pretty much my to and from work car, and night and weekend drive, and it will see some track time. Well basicially here are my options

Stock size replacement:
brembo rotors(either blanks or slotted)
axxis pads
rebuild kit
maybe some ss lines

Jdm - altima/maxima upgrade:
altima 4 lug rotors
maxima pads and calipers
ss lines

q45 upgrade:
q45 calipers
Some form of aftermarket pads
28mm rotors
q45 brackets using 240sx mounting bolts
ss lines and MC

Of course fluids and rebuild kits for the calipers. My dilemma is that im planning on getting some xr4's and mesh, and probaly try to get a little collection of jdm wheels. No brainer that usdm stock brakes and Jdm brakes fit old school wheels. but im not to clear on if q45 will clear wheels like ssr mesh ect. i was thinking of getting z32 but then i couldnt run certian wheels. So for now im just looking for a replacement or a lil upgrade, trying to spend around 300-400 kinda on a tight budget since i just started a new job and also goign to be buyign a 95 ka next month to replace my 91 ka with 210k.

Dont flame ive done lots of research, ive read just about every thread on freshalloy zilvia and 240sxforums... im just looking for opinions on what route u guys would go and if anyone knows if q45 clear "old school jdm wheels" for the most part since its all about spoke design not offset

-jason

[mellojoe]

the way I see it, any of those brake size upgrades go with an 11" rotor and multi-piston calipers, yes?

So, any of those will have fitment problems with certain wheels. The q45 upgrade is the one I have, so its the only one I really know about. it is a floating caliper, and seems to be a thinner caliper than the z32 4-piston caliper (I know NOTHING about the altima/maxima upgrade, but if its a 4-piston caliper it may be a similar size). The q45 is easier to find wheels that fit around them then the z32 brakes.

the downside? finding performance pads for an infiniti sedan. ugh. But, this is my daily driver, so I don't want track pads as they have less cold grip (much better hot grip, tho), and daily driven pads need good cold grip.

my opinion? Go with the q45 upgrade. You can use stock lines, so you don't have to worry about finding specific "conversion" brake lines (like you need for the 300zx/z32 upgrade). Any time you need service, you have standard USDM parts to source.

[phrozen]

altima/maxima is a bigger single piston caliper with rotors that are 1 inch bigger and thicker i believe

and from what ive seen the q45 28mm calipers are smaller then 26mm z32 calipers. im mostly concerned about wheel fitment due to the style of wheels i plan on getting. id like a set of ssr professors but who dosent?! and those clear z32 but thats out of my current budget =/. Well still deciding thx for the insite. anyone out there with a s13 on q45's?

[cdlong]

just get some good pads, fluid, and blanks. that's what i have and they work perfectly well for street and autoX. if you don't spend time on an actual track big brakes are just for bling. also, don't bother rebuilding the calipers unless they are leaking, just make sure the slide pins are clean and smooth. i have SS lines too, but i don't think they made enough difference (or any) to justify the price.

you shouldn't have a wheel fitment issues with any sliding calipers.

[HaLo]

I have Q45 brakes and they clear anything... hell, i managed to fit stock steelies over them. :)

As for pad choices: Axxis Ultimates Ceramic or Metal Master: nothing else. :D

[pruto]

get good pads and good rotors. I've been told that the stock 240 brakes are big enough for a car that size. the only problem is fade, in theory. With good pads and rotors it should provide enough performance, gives you brake clearance, and its the cheapest choice.

[phrozen]

i think im gonna go with some stock sized brembo blanks or slotted in the front with some good pads, and brembo blanks in the back with good pads and a new MC and some fluid

[phrozen]

i think i will go for q45 when i get some more $, but for now i just need a replacement to get me to my new job and weekend drives for awhile. thx for the help guys.

[TheSnail]

Im pretty sure you can not use the altima or maxima or I30 rotors. I was going to get a Brembo Grand Turismo Big Brake upgread made for an Maxima/I30 but found out that I could not use the FWD rotors due to there off-set.

[aznpoopy]

get the blanks and some decent pads, bleed your fluid. drills and slots are a total waste of $$$ imo. the common notion of brake upgrades is a little flawed. factor in brake bias when you're looking to switch to something beyond stock. sykikchimp started up a pretty educational thread about this a short while ago, asking about stoptech brake upgrades. look it up.