I have a tight budget and am wondering how much those slotted/drilled OEM replacement rotors would actually help on a '05 stock enthusiast Z?
(I was just at Thunderhill and toasted my rear brakes and just about finished my fronts--w/ stock pads)

I've already bought Hawk HPS and am looking into other pads as well...

*anything tricky to taking off the rotors?

(I'll be cutting the rear interior dust cover on the rotors as well)


**I don't mind as much changing pads after each track event if it saves me $$, but I really don't like brake fade.

thanks!!

 

Dont waste money on those replacement rotors. They don't really improve much on stock enthusiast caliber. Save your money for front big brake kit such as Brembo or Wilwood or AP racing.
I recommend not to buy Stoptech big brake kit. My friend bought a front set for his Z. After one month, they made all kind of noise and whenever he did hard braking, his steering wheel shook like Mega Earthquake. He ended up selling his Stoptech BBK on ebay.

 

Sounds to me like pad deposit, time to buy better pads and clean the rotors (running aggressive pads cold is the easiest way).

I have the 13" front and backs and have done 15 or so track days on them and have had no problems. Buy whatever you want, but that is my experience.

Start with brake fluid upgrade, pad upgrade, and removing dust shields. Don't bother with rotor upgrade or SS lines. Hawk HPS are not aggressive pads, try something like Carbotech XP10's or Cobalt Friction Spec VR. I currently go through a set of Cobalt Friction pads in three track days with the 13" kit on street tires, so don't expect them to last forever. I am also planning on adding a front brake cooling kit in the off season.

 

All you need to get are stainless steel brake lines. Amazing brake response!
Oh, and you'll shave your pads everytime you brake with those rotors, meaning even faster wear. They'll stay cooler though.

 

This sounds like the other post you listed recently. The rotors are not your problem. If you are on a tight budget and can't afford a big brake kit up front, than you should try some dedicated track pads before spending money on rotors. You will also need a high temp brake fluid. Don't waste your time trying the HPS on the track. They will fair almost as poorly as your stock pads.
I'll be at Infineon this weekend. Stop by if you're around and I'll show you the difference a track pad makes. It's really night and day. A set of R4 pads from porterfield shouldn't run that much and will save you some $ in the long run. As you get faster and find that the R4 are not enought, buy a big brake kit or don't track your car.

 

thanks daveh! I'm starting to look for a front BBK, but they all cost $$$. I';m shopping around for the best price for the 'raybestos st-43's' that you reccomended. What days will you be at Infineon? (I actually have an open schedule this weekend and have never gotten a ride in someone elses Z).

My current plan is to get the new pads (should I only get raybestos st-43's for the rear, or both F-R?). I'm checking for a used front BBK daily, and hope by next summer to get one at a good price.

thanks for all your advice and hope to see you this weekend!

 

try this:
http://www.performancenissanparts.co...oducts_id=3424

i bought it a while back.

or this:

http://www.performancenissanparts.co...oducts_id=1362

 

baileyrx, thanks for the link. it's in my price range...How much did it help? I was looking into somehting like that, but from what others are saying, the only way to solve the braking issue is at least getting a 13" BBK (big brake kit) in the front.

*The cheapest 13" BBK I found was aroun $1,700. Does anyone make a kit w/ larger rotors, and just a bracket that retains the stock calipers...seems like that would save tons of $ and still allow for more stopping power. (or are the stock calipers not strong enough?)

 

any specific type of high temp brake fluid?

 

Try WWW.OPTIONIMPORTS.COM
They have lots of good deals on BBK. I got my 355mm Brembo 400 dollars less than other guys.
Try to instant message Mike. He will give you discount and free shipping.

 

its definetly did the trick for me.
The 1st HSDE i went to in feb, I warped my oem front rotors, Infiniti replaced them at no charge. Next time no fade, no warping. The hawk pads aren't the best though.
I use street tires for auto cross & road courses so the tires are the weaker link now. (besides me of course)
If I ever upgraded to compound rubber, my setup would be strained to handle the load.
But I like using street tires because it lets me know the limits of my car as if I was on the street.(its cheaper to)