Beaker gets a brake makeover
04-20-2005, 03:39 PM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beaker gets a brake makeover
Welcome to my little project today. Actually It will take two days. Oh well. Fist off lets start with a before picture. Stock touring brakes and wheels.
04-20-2005, 03:42 PM
#2
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now lets chrome the wheels in a pearl black chrome. Actually had this done last summer as part of a SEMA show sponsorship deal with Raceline Wheels. They put the Mitchellin Pilot Sports on it as well. OK, so lookin' good front & back.
04-20-2005, 03:45 PM
#4
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, so lets get it up on the rack and pull all the calipers apart. Did you know a Z's brake system weighs about the same as a small passenger? About 120lbs for the rotors and calipers. I was surprised.
04-20-2005, 03:53 PM
#6
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh heck, it's up in the air, lets get sidetracked for a second. Here's some shots under the car.
Photo1: More of that aluminum.
Photo2: Rear suspention and Eibach springs
Photo3: Front suspention and old original rotors
Photo4: Lots of aluminum! & the Magnaflow mounts.
Photo5: Nice shot of our CF driveshaft.
I was surprised to not find more damage under her from scraping. Some exhaust rashing and a bent crossmember protection piece. Not bad for a car sitting 3" off the ground.
Photo1: More of that aluminum.
Photo2: Rear suspention and Eibach springs
Photo3: Front suspention and old original rotors
Photo4: Lots of aluminum! & the Magnaflow mounts.
Photo5: Nice shot of our CF driveshaft.
I was surprised to not find more damage under her from scraping. Some exhaust rashing and a bent crossmember protection piece. Not bad for a car sitting 3" off the ground.
Last edited by Beaker02; 04-20-2005 at 04:08 PM.
Trending Topics
04-20-2005, 04:01 PM
#9
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1st coat never looks too good. You want to do a really thin coat, sunshine is great for helping the coats bake. Little artist brushes help get in the tight places. Man, I would not have wanted to do this on the car!
04-20-2005, 04:04 PM
#10
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After 3 coats we're lookin' good. Now we dry overnight and put it all together in the morning. Ceramic pads and graphics are waiting until tomorow. I'll post pix of the final look when i'm done.
04-21-2005, 03:02 PM
#12
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We'll she's still up in the air today. Got the rear brakes on but when we opened the box for the fronts.....guess what? The box contained somebodies old brake pads. 
Factory says someone must had returned them instead of new. Here's an idea, CHECK YOUR RETURNS!
Anyway.....they'll have replacements to me tomarrow. In the mean time, here's another look at some of my scrape damage.
Factory says someone must had returned them instead of new. Here's an idea, CHECK YOUR RETURNS!
Anyway.....they'll have replacements to me tomarrow. In the mean time, here's another look at some of my scrape damage.
04-22-2005, 08:29 PM
#14
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, one day project turns into 1 week project. Got the new pads, got the car together, backed it out...........click, click click, click. Wrong size rotors on the back. Yep. Raceconcepts sent the wrong size rotors. They are going to next day the correct on Monday, I'll have them on Tues. It's been in the air sence Wed. Hmmmm. Brakes. Simple. But hey, the fronts look great!
04-30-2005, 12:57 PM
#15
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, a week later.....The final product! Very happy with the look, however the car "feels heavier" now. The rotors do weigh a couple of pounds more, but I did'nt think i'd feel it. I do. Also waiting for the new pad/rotor combination to seat. The VDC acts differently now as well. Kicks in later than before. Allows more slip.
06-01-2006, 12:39 PM
#18
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: St. Paul MN
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, what was your take on the raceconcepts rotors?
I am looking at replacement rotors, and stoptech, along with raceconcepts have come into play. Any advice anyone?
I am looking at replacement rotors, and stoptech, along with raceconcepts have come into play. Any advice anyone?
06-02-2006, 10:23 AM
#19
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Modesto California
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great stopping performance upgrade (with the ceramics) and VERY noticable performance upgrade in the fade dept. (As in.....none.) Drove HARD on track days over 1/2 hr with NO fade whatsoever. Instructor was blown away. Down side, noticable spun weight increase. The fix? If you can afford it, spend a lot more money on lighter slotted/drilled rotors of lighter weight. You get what you pay for. In the end, after getting used to the trade off, i'm happy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
