Weighing the differences

[old_s13]

Anyone here actually sat down to start weighing the differences between most wheel/brake configurations?

So, I've got 3 sets of 16x8 wheels, each set with various different offsets and weights. My favorite so far have been my FD wheels, weighing only 15lbs per rim. Seems to be a good package with the front and rear Z32-TT brakes I am running. I run 245/45 Bridgestone S03 tires front and rear.

Now, I picked up a set of the infamous golden Brembo calipers. These bad boys will require 17" minimum wheel. Not only that, they also have 12.75" rotors which are super large and well, pretty heavy too.

Tough decisions... go with the extra weight or stay light and go for a much humbler setup. I drive the shit out of my car through bumpy canyons, I think it'll almost be a shame to add all that unsprung weight.

[driftyour40]

I agree it would be a shame. those FD wheels sound tyte yo. I think the best set up you can have for the canyon is as light as possable, as long as the shit stops you when you need it to. If the shit fits wear it.

[Annoying Eric]

. Seems to be a good package with the front and rear Z32-TT brakes I am running.


I think it all depends on what style of driving you do. If your the type that goes to the track and your hard the brakes, I'd say go with the bigger brakes. If your doing well with the current setup then keep them..

[Dweezil]

Fist of all, do your use of the car justify the larger brakes? If the current setup does the trick and you find your self not fully using the larger setup then don't use it.
If you have to buy wheel, try and find a setup that weighs the same with the larger brakes. If you can get the weight about the same, it shoulden't have a major effect on handeling.

[Flybert]

Mike. Have you ever caused your street pads on the Z32's to fade? I'd say the bling factor is not worth it if you haven't.

[old_s13]

I slept on it and figured out what I will do.

My cousin is giving me a Z31 drag car, I need to finish building the motor. Its a project that was never completed and the car is fully stripped, it will be pushing really high HP figures.. I mean, he dumped big cash into this and the person who took on the project was a bigtime flake. So, he was either going to part it out or, well, he offered to give it to me to have as long as I can complete the project. The car is already equipped with Z32 turbo brakes front and back, LSD, lots of goodies.. I just need to finish the motor. Anyway, I figure I will put those massive brakes on that beast.

I let it marinate and thought about it, while bling 12.75" Brembo brakes do sound nice on my S13.. its not worth the change in how the car will look and act. Its not so much whether or not I will use the big brakes and take advantage of their potential, its more of a matter of WHEN will I do so. See, there are two types of canyons out here that I like to drive on. Personally, I've always preferred tearing up Mulholland, Coldwater, Laurel, etc.. all the smaller canyons where brakes arent so important -- balance is.

Then, there are larger canyons like Sepulveda where you can hit some serious speeds on.. easily go over 60-80mph. Not that I race on the streets often, but I do tear it up when I feel like doing so. Anyway, I figure I dont get much enjoyment racing at these higher speeds.. more risk, more danger, easier chance of being cought by cops and such.

So, I'm going to continue to keep the S13 as the car that will focus on running cool, being balanced, and having suspension travel. I will make the Z31 the highway car, where I can play with big boy cars. Fat boy cars like Z's could always use big brakes, but I just think its redundant on our light S13's.

- Miguel

ps: I've never caused the Z32 brake system to fade, what I have ran into is that the brakes would occasionally make some screeching noises when being worked really hard. It doesnt happen often, and actually lately.. it hasnt happened at all. I rebuilt them many moons ago, maybe its just time for another rebuild. Anyway, I'll just have to push the car and see how it performs. Right now I'm prepping the car for body shop, they're going to build metal flares for me and I am repainting the chassis (in addition to me rewiring the entire car). And, well.. I really think those demon cambers will look TITS on the S13. 16x8 -15 w/ 3" dish.. I mean.. thats just perfect if you ask me. Anyway, thanks for the advice(s), y0. :)

[old_s13]

Fist of all, do your use of the car justify the larger brakes? If the current setup does the trick and you find your self not fully using the larger setup then don't use it.
If you have to buy wheel, try and find a setup that weighs the same with the larger brakes. If you can get the weight about the same, it shoulden't have a major effect on handeling.

I thought about that too, finding a nice wheel that will actually cut weight.. because there are 17" wheels that are pretty damn light. BUT, typically.. they will either be expensive. I dont mind paying for a nice wheel.. but I am the kind of person who likes having extras of things just incase they get damaged, bent, flat, etc.

Besides that, if I go with a 17" rim, I know I'll be throwing on a SUPER wide tire.. 255 or 275 front and rear. All of this will really transform the car, I dont want it to be a steam roller. So far, I was leaning toward a set of R33 wheels but.. 17x9 and fairly heavy.. nah.

I guess I'm just thinking out loud too much, but wtf.. you gotta do this when making decisions like this.

[thx247]

The Z brakes wear alot better than the 180sx brakes on the track, longer life and less odd pad wear. I keep the sliding calipers maintained but I think its just a flaw in the design.

I ran the 26mm Z brakes because they were several lbs lighter, my car isn't fast enough to fade them out, so I can't comment on how necessary the 30mm rotors and brakes are. The extra 4lb or whatever it was probably contributes to some additional heat capacity, but I have no way to test.

I think if you really want some lightweight options you need to roll your own somehow. Willwood, 2 piece hats...and so on.

[old_s13]

You do realize no one, not once, mentioned stock sliding caliper brakes OR smaller 26mm 90 NA Z32 brakes?

This discussion has only been about Z32-TT and Z33 track brakes.. and how they require different wheels sizes.

[HaLo]

I believe you answered your question mike.. keep the Z32s..

[old_s13]

For those interested, here are some pics:
http://clearcorners.com/temp/brembo/

and here are the specs:

Front Rotor: 20.8lbs / Front Caliper: 7.4lbs
Rear Rotor: 18lbs / Rear Caliper: 4lbs

Nice thing about these calipers is the design and craftsmanship.. not to mention, dual top mount bleeders.. very trick.

Update... here are some quick specs of the Z32-TT calipers:
Front rotor: 17.8lbs / Front Caliper: 6lbs
Rear Rotor: ??? / Rear Caliper: 3.4lbs

[thx247]

Thinking too far ahead with regards to weight loss on brakes, sorry

[nightwalker]

unsprung weight is a bitch. I can't imagine needing more than Z32 calipers and some nice pads.

Going for the bling?

[wootwoot]

or you could make a few bucks by selling them to me since drag cars dont really need big brakes =)

[240Stilo]

The issue with bigger tires is that they're harder to warm up. So optimum friction between tire and ground will be tougher to reach. I was thinking about putting the fattest tire I could fit on the car because of the thought: more rubber = more grip. Now I'm trying to figure out which tire size is most efficient. BUT you do gotta admit......the Cali floor gets hot during the summer so sticking tires to the floor on a hot day wouldn't be too difficult.

[pruto]

my FN-01Rs weights about 14-15 lbs each. expensive, but god they're light. Off topic, but anyway. never let the bling decide. i know you're not like that. or else you'd be rockin' those brembos with 18s without a second thought. i've never once felt that my z32 brakes were lacking in braking power the two plus years i've had them on, it is a friggen 2700lb car (or less). unless you feel differently, why bother?