Brakes Project

[Jamaica2G]

So now that I've moved up to AL, I've had a few times while heading downhill at a high rate of speed where I felt that I needed more stopping power. I figured the easiest way to do this would be to increase the diameter of the rotor... but since I already had the 05 OEM brake system, I'd have to upgrade to either the OEM Brembos or the G37S kit...

Luckily for me, just as I was considering it, a Florida guy started fabricating the brackets to fit the G37s Akebono brakes on a G35 for ~$230 shipped!

so I began salivating


and found a guy that I could buy from for $1400 shipped with 4k miles on his kit!

I was ready to buy and we had reached an agreeable price... but he quit responding!

So I figured he didn't like me and kept looking. I luckily found a WILWOOD kit 6 pot front 4 pot rear 14" front 13" rear kit for $2k with about 3k miles on it. Not tracked! The Z was the guy's third mode of transportation lol.


the front rotors make me think of the Thanksgiving dinner plate!

[Jamaica2G]

I don't have them on yet...

I've been considering powdercoating with our sponsor OnADime but I already shelled out the extra $ to get the Wilwoods.

So after long deliberation, I finally picked up the brake and held it up to the car!



Holy Mac! It looks much better than I thought it would! (honestly, I thought it was gonna look like trash). So now, I'm working with Alex (OnADime) to come up with a sticker-color-changing solution.

I want the WILWOOD and 4 PISTON and 6 PISTON in red to match the car!

and that's where I am right now... :-)

and here, I'm getting measurements to make sure we get the right sticker sizes made!



More coming later.

[04LemansZ]

Sweet, that's going to look hot.

[ExtaZ33]

Nice project, like I've always said big brakes are the best upgrade for these heavy cars.

Would be really cool if you redesigned the Wilwood logo a little bit so it wasn't so "bubbly" and the "oo" weren't attached like that.

[Jamaica2G]

Nice project, like I've always said big brakes are the best upgrade for these heavy cars.

Would be really cool if you redesigned the Wilwood logo a little bit so it wasn't so "bubbly" and the "oo" weren't attached like that.

but if I change the logo, it'll be GHETTO lol

[Jamaica2G]

Anyone know which brake fluid I should replace the current one with?

[Raid]

Anyone know which brake fluid I should replace the current one with?

Motul RBF600 and ATE Superblue are popular options. The ATE is cheaper and has a little bit lower boiling point than the Motul, but if you aren't going to be hardcore tracking the car it should not make that big of a difference. There are some other good options out there if someone with experience wants to chime in.

[Jamaica2G]

Motul RBF600 and ATE Superblue are popular options. The ATE is cheaper and has a little bit lower boiling point than the Motul, but if you aren't going to be hardcore tracking the car it should not make that big of a difference. There are some other good options out there if someone with experience wants to chime in.

Anywhere in town where I can pick that up? my local discount auto only seemed to have their brand

[jthomas_50]

Unless you plan on tracking the car, any DOT 4 should be just fine. But if you plan on tracking the car, Motul RBF 600 would be the best choice.....

btw, can't wait to see how this turns out....

[Jamaica2G]

Yeah, I wanna see if I can make any events in November, so Im tryin to get everything fixed up. My passenger window motor is out, my windshield is cracked, I need to run the EDFC wires to get that hooked up, I should extend exhaust tips so my rear lip doesn't melt again, my car is out of alignment and I need my brakes put on!

Oh yeah and my window wiper fluid is low.... the light comes on when I turn really hard on one of the local roads.

I have a typed out and printed list of things to do, but the above are vital to racing :-)

I've had a lot to do, so hopefully I'll catch up with everything this month so I'll be ready to buy a helmet and get racing next month.

Adrian

[jthomas_50]

Yeah, I wanna see if I can make any events in November, so Im tryin to get everything fixed up. My passenger window motor is out, my windshield is cracked, I need to run the EDFC wires to get that hooked up, I should extend exhaust tips so my rear lip doesn't melt again, my car is out of alignment and I need my brakes put on!

Oh yeah and my window wiper fluid is low.... the light comes on when I turn really hard on one of the local roads.

I have a typed out and printed list of things to do, but the above are vital to racing :-)

I've had a lot to do, so hopefully I'll catch up with everything this month so I'll be ready to buy a helmet and get racing next month.

Adrian


If you need any help with that window motor let me know. I've done it 4 times with my car :)

[Jamaica2G]

If you need any help with that window motor let me know. I've done it 4 times with my car :)

I got it all situated... fixed the wiring myself and then had the motor replaced by warranty. They're also gonna fix my leather seat.

Adrian

[Jamaica2G]

Anyone in the mood to come help me in Hoover? I'll buy you beer! Muhahahaha

[jthomas_50]

[QUOTE=Jamaica2G;6835]Anyone in the mood to come help me in Hoover? I'll buy you beer! Muhahahaha


what you need help with?

[04LemansZ]

I'd help ya if I was in town.

[Jamaica2G]

It didnt happen last weekend but Im hoping to do it all this weekend. I intend to buy food friday night, jack up the car and change the fluid friday night and start tackling the brakes on saturday.

Anyone around? anyone in the mood? IM me! Jamaica2G

or hit me up on facebook or
the same SN @hotmail.com

[PearlWhite03]

I'd help out just because I want to escape town for a little bit but I have a master's research seminar presentation I need to work on. Maybe I shouldn't have waited all semester to get it done :wtfew:

[Jamaica2G]

I'd help out just because I want to escape town for a little bit but I have a master's research seminar presentation I need to work on. Maybe I shouldn't have waited all semester to get it done :wtfew:

damn man, you know I'd give you gas money!

[04LemansZ]

It didnt happen last weekend but Im hoping to do it all this weekend. I intend to buy food friday night, jack up the car and change the fluid friday night and start tackling the brakes on saturday.

Anyone around? anyone in the mood? IM me! Jamaica2G

or hit me up on facebook or
the same SN @hotmail.com
Sent you a friend request on FB.

[Jamaica2G]

Im headin to discount auto for the last materials!

txt me if you are bored and wanna stop by to give moral support!
area code: nine five four
the rest of the number 8024787

HAULER!

[PearlWhite03]

How did it go? Hopefully you did everything correctly and the brakes didn't fail sending you careening off a cliff, but if so I call dibbs on any salvageable parts!

[Jamaica2G]

How did it go? Hopefully you did everything correctly and the brakes didn't fail sending you careening off a cliff, but if so I call dibbs on any salvageable parts!

I'm having a hard time. Wondering if the SS lines are supposed to really fit this way. btw, the lines I'm struggling with are NOT from On-a-dime

Adrian

[OnADimePBS]

PM'd

[Jamaica2G]

I'm having a hard time. Wondering if the SS lines are supposed to really fit this way. btw, the lines I'm struggling with are NOT from On-a-dime

Adrian

I'm gonna choke myself out here

:humpsheep:

[ExtaZ33]

Pics?

[PearlWhite03]

Is the car driveable?

[Jamaica2G]

Yeah

I think I messed up and got air in the Master Cylinder though.

I bled the brakes Friday morn at 1AM and drove the car around, it was very soft... I was heading to G-ville Friday PM, so I went to Trussville Tire at 8 am and told them that the master may also have air, he bled it out and said that when he test drove it, it felt much better.

I drove it to G-ville and back and I know it's still not 100% so Im gonna take it back hopefully tomorrow.

It looks better than I thought it would originally. Now I just need it to perform!

I will also probably be buying some SS lines from Alex. The ones this guy had on his kit were ghetto.

Adrian

[Jamaica2G]

Also, I learned a lot, Even after all this, I wouldn't pay someone to do the job.

I probably would have chosen a better time to do it!

Adrian

[ExtaZ33]

Also, I learned a lot, Even after all this, I wouldn't pay someone to do the job.

I probably would have chosen a better time to do it!

Adrian

When I swapped to stainless brake lines I made the same mistake. I got air in the master cylinder and in the ABS module. It was a mess and a costly mistake but I guarantee it won't happen again.

Glad you got it all sorted out.

[Jamaica2G]

When I swapped to stainless brake lines I made the same mistake. I got air in the master cylinder and in the ABS module. It was a mess and a costly mistake but I guarantee it won't happen again.

Glad you got it all sorted out.

What did you have to do? From the looks of everything, the exit holes are positioned so that the air will go through the lines and be flushed.

The master cylinder's exit-hole-positions are different, though. :humpsheep:

Damnit

[ExtaZ33]

I drove it 10 miles with nothing but the e-brake to stop me. I wouldn't advise that to anybody. It was very scary and I had a friend blocking for me to keep idiots from getting in front of me.

I guess dealerships and tire shops have a machine that will flush and bleed everything.

We had tried everything we could, trying to bleed every hard line connected to the ABS module and master cylinder with no luck. I hope that's not the situation you are in.

[Jamaica2G]

oh, not at all, I drove it to florida and back confidently
I wouldn't take it to the track though. The initial bite isnt as hard as I would expect, hence why I feel that there is still a little air somewhere.

Adrian

[TriniTT]

My Brembos are like that. They don't initially bite so hard they throw you forward, but the overall grip is better and lasts longer because the pad has more surface area on the rotor to grip and is less prone to overheat. When coming closer to a stop, the bite is pretty hard and can just stop the car pretty intensely.

[Jamaica2G]

My Brembos are like that. They don't initially bite so hard they throw you forward, but the overall grip is better and lasts longer because the pad has more surface area on the rotor to grip and is less prone to overheat. When coming closer to a stop, the bite is pretty hard and can just stop the car pretty intensely.

Hmm, maybe Im having a combination of the BBK symptoms and a bit of air.... damnit.

Part of the problem is, I have nothing else for comparison.

Adrian

[Jamaica2G]

So I found a few threads on G35 driver of people having the same issues.... I'll update this again soon.

[NissanEgg]

You also have to take into account of the size of the master cylinder. Keep master cylinder same, but make brake piston area bigger on front, the pedal will feel a little softer with less initial bite.

There aren't many or any upgrades in size for the master cylinder. So the other option is to play with pad compunds.

You will need diagnostic equipment to bleed all air out of the ABS module. The daig. eqp. will open each channel one at a time while you bleed it.

[Jamaica2G]

I just drove home from the library... went 100mph and slammed on the brakes.

ABS engaged but everything felt solid. I was very happy.

I think the problem was that initial bite sucked, I didn't like the change in the pedal feel but as i've been getting used to it, it slowly feels more and more comfortable.

[Jamaica2G]

Every time I drive it I have different feelings...

I still don't feel 100% secure with the new pedal feeling

Trying to figure out solutions atm.
Calling the Jamaican Nissan Mechanic tomorrow!

[PearlWhite03]

Well there is going to be one less Jamaican dentist in Alabama if you keep doing 100-0 runs yet still don't feel 100% secure. Why don't you take it to someone?

[Jamaica2G]

Well there is going to be one less Jamaican dentist in Alabama if you keep doing 100-0 runs yet still don't feel 100% secure. Why don't you take it to someone?

Well, I did, and this is AFTER he bled the brakes and tested it... I know I can stop, that's not the problem, I just expected more responsiveness than this....

[Jamaica2G]

So I should finish explaining the project :-)

Alex sent me the stickers but they were a little too small.





I ended up scanning the front of the brakes so that his guy could perfectly match them up in size and font.

I didn't feel like waiting, so I went ahead and installed the brakes and here are some pictures... Mind you, the drivers side brakes have the stickers that were a bit too small.










Adrian

[Jamaica2G]

I also just received the new stickers... with the correct "6" font and size.

The Sticker guy also sent a black background sticker set that is a little larger to cover the white lettering so that it'll all look a good, uniform black and red!

:-)

[Jamaica2G]

Finally DONE!

With the updated blackout and red stickers. I took some quick pix, and I certainly got the effect I wanted... just like the sticker on the rear window...













I'll have better pictures soon.

[jthomas_50]

pure sex man, i really like it

[ExtaZ33]

Very nice touch. They stand out in the pics but I'm sure they are subtle when it's rolling down the road. Now you just have to do something about those lugs. :2xFU:

[OnADimePBS]

Glad everything worked out Adrian. It's tough to get one-off projects done perfectly the first time. I wish I had a set laying around so I could have spared the time and hassle.

The narrow mount calipers we use have a slightly smaller font which is why it's off on the front calipers, I didn't think they'd change it for the SL6R's though. No excuse for being that far off on the rears, and my sticker guy took care of you.

Time for a photoshoot in the sunlight! Looks great! Question is.... how do they stop ?

[JDMZ32]

looks great.

[04LemansZ]

Looks good! Now I need a BBK :(

[Jamaica2G]

Glad everything worked out Adrian. It's tough to get one-off projects done perfectly the first time. I wish I had a set laying around so I could have spared the time and hassle.

The narrow mount calipers we use have a slightly smaller font which is why it's off on the front calipers, I didn't think they'd change it for the SL6R's though. No excuse for being that far off on the rears, and my sticker guy took care of you.

Time for a photoshoot in the sunlight! Looks great! Question is.... how do they stop ?

being off? man, that wasn't a problem. I've had bigger issues to tackle!

The stickers look fantastic. I have no problem with the fact that they didn't fit the first time. Don't worry, it was handled in the most appropriate way and I would gladly do business in the future (AAMOF, I might be calling you in January)

And yes, they stop! I just want to compare with another BBK owner. From what I have read, there are many different aspects to consider when upgrading - I, unfortunately, didnt consider ALL of them before pulling the trigger. I'm content but not EXCITED to hit the brake pedal. I'm checking into the idea of having my ABS cycled.

Adrian

EDIT: I read the factory service manual. Even with a procedure to completely drain the system and refill it with new brake fluid, nothing special needs to be done about the ABS... just keep bleeding at the calipers...

[Jamaica2G]

I'll have better pictures soon.
:28:
Adrian
Without Flash

With Flash

With Flash

Without flash

[Jamaica2G]

Very nice touch. They stand out in the pics but I'm sure they are subtle when it's rolling down the road. Now you just have to do something about those lugs. :2xFU:

R u talking about color? or length?

Im doin the combo... longs in front shorts in rear.

Find me some red lugs!

[04LemansZ]

R u talking about color? or length?

Im doin the combo... longs in front shorts in rear.

Find me some red lugs!
Can you just powdercoat the lugs?

[Jamaica2G]

Can you just powdercoat the lugs?

Hmmm, I'll try it out with an extra set of cheap lugs I have...

Adrian

[PearlWhite03]

Brakes look good. Are the stickers metallic/reflective? They look like it in the pics.

I don't think I'm feelin the JDM dragon on the back window, reminds me of a tramp stamp for the car, maybe if I saw it in person. Oh yeah, I love your version of the Rebel flag hanging in your garage lol.