Stoptech Stage 2 Stock Caliper Upgrade Kit
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,390
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From: Spring, TX
Installation should be fairly easy. I plan on installing the kit myself. Warranty... I don't think it would void it at all. It basicalyy changing the wear & tear items of the brake system: pads & rotors. If you are really worried about voiding your warrenty, go to you local Nissan Service Center and show them the kit and I bet they will install it for you. That way the know it was installed by a Nissan Tech and would garentee their work.
StopTech does not endorse Axxis Ultimates for the track. It is a great pad for street and autoX, but does not have the heat capacity for the front of a fast car (like the 350Z). It may be adequate on the front of a stock miata.
We tell our customers every day that there is no such thing as an 'occasional' track day. You're either putting demands on the brake system at any given moment, or you're not. Slowing a car repeatedly from 100mph+ to 50mph (which happens on just about any road course), puts a ton of heat into a pad set.
Every pad has a max operating temperature (MOT). Once that MOT is exceeded...certain things happen. First, the pad will fade...you will press the pedal down...the pedal will feel firm, but the car won't slow down like it should...and you will either A) soil yourself and feel lucky or B) soil yourself and then hit something hard...not feeling so lucky. Also, a pad used outside of it's MOT can come off in chunks, crumble, fall apart, etc. Finally, a pad pushed over it's MOT can destroy your rotors. The pad will stick to the rotor in globs, and cause an uneven pad deposition. You will then have a wicked vibration when you apply the brakes, and the rotors may not be recoverable. In other words, you run the risk of ruining your rotors along with your pads.
We ship Axxis Ults (the new name for Ultimates) in our BBK's. On the box we place a neon pink sticker that says, "not intended for racetrack use." Despite the manufacturer claims, our experience has shown us that they simply aren't adequate at track speeds and temps. They're okay for a one or a couple of high speed stops, but not 20+ minutes worth (a typical run session). Every time a BBK customer calls and says, "help, I have a vibration," the first question we ask is, "did you run the Axxis Ult's on the track?" I'd say that the answer is 'yes' 70% of the time.
For the stock base calipers, I'd recommend something more like the Hawk Blue:
63-450-0653 Blue 9012 - CLUB RACE $137.95
We tell our customers every day that there is no such thing as an 'occasional' track day. You're either putting demands on the brake system at any given moment, or you're not. Slowing a car repeatedly from 100mph+ to 50mph (which happens on just about any road course), puts a ton of heat into a pad set.
Every pad has a max operating temperature (MOT). Once that MOT is exceeded...certain things happen. First, the pad will fade...you will press the pedal down...the pedal will feel firm, but the car won't slow down like it should...and you will either A) soil yourself and feel lucky or B) soil yourself and then hit something hard...not feeling so lucky. Also, a pad used outside of it's MOT can come off in chunks, crumble, fall apart, etc. Finally, a pad pushed over it's MOT can destroy your rotors. The pad will stick to the rotor in globs, and cause an uneven pad deposition. You will then have a wicked vibration when you apply the brakes, and the rotors may not be recoverable. In other words, you run the risk of ruining your rotors along with your pads.
We ship Axxis Ults (the new name for Ultimates) in our BBK's. On the box we place a neon pink sticker that says, "not intended for racetrack use." Despite the manufacturer claims, our experience has shown us that they simply aren't adequate at track speeds and temps. They're okay for a one or a couple of high speed stops, but not 20+ minutes worth (a typical run session). Every time a BBK customer calls and says, "help, I have a vibration," the first question we ask is, "did you run the Axxis Ult's on the track?" I'd say that the answer is 'yes' 70% of the time.
For the stock base calipers, I'd recommend something more like the Hawk Blue:
63-450-0653 Blue 9012 - CLUB RACE $137.95
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: WA
I went to the dealer and they want 400 bucks to install the kits, heck i minus well just get a BBK installed. I think I am going with world one performance once I get hood fixed and clear bra put on.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 329
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From: WA
Originally Posted by J Ritt
StopTech does not endorse Axxis Ultimates for the track. It is a great pad for street and autoX, but does not have the heat capacity for the front of a fast car (like the 350Z). It may be adequate on the front of a stock miata.
We tell our customers every day that there is no such thing as an 'occasional' track day. You're either putting demands on the brake system at any given moment, or you're not. Slowing a car repeatedly from 100mph+ to 50mph (which happens on just about any road course), puts a ton of heat into a pad set.
Every pad has a max operating temperature (MOT). Once that MOT is exceeded...certain things happen. First, the pad will fade...you will press the pedal down...the pedal will feel firm, but the car won't slow down like it should...and you will either A) soil yourself and feel lucky or B) soil yourself and then hit something hard...not feeling so lucky. Also, a pad used outside of it's MOT can come off in chunks, crumble, fall apart, etc. Finally, a pad pushed over it's MOT can destroy your rotors. The pad will stick to the rotor in globs, and cause an uneven pad deposition. You will then have a wicked vibration when you apply the brakes, and the rotors may not be recoverable. In other words, you run the risk of ruining your rotors along with your pads.
We ship Axxis Ults (the new name for Ultimates) in our BBK's. On the box we place a neon pink sticker that says, "not intended for racetrack use." Despite the manufacturer claims, our experience has shown us that they simply aren't adequate at track speeds and temps. They're okay for a one or a couple of high speed stops, but not 20+ minutes worth (a typical run session). Every time a BBK customer calls and says, "help, I have a vibration," the first question we ask is, "did you run the Axxis Ult's on the track?" I'd say that the answer is 'yes' 70% of the time.
For the stock base calipers, I'd recommend something more like the Hawk Blue:
63-450-0653 Blue 9012 - CLUB RACE $137.95
We tell our customers every day that there is no such thing as an 'occasional' track day. You're either putting demands on the brake system at any given moment, or you're not. Slowing a car repeatedly from 100mph+ to 50mph (which happens on just about any road course), puts a ton of heat into a pad set.
Every pad has a max operating temperature (MOT). Once that MOT is exceeded...certain things happen. First, the pad will fade...you will press the pedal down...the pedal will feel firm, but the car won't slow down like it should...and you will either A) soil yourself and feel lucky or B) soil yourself and then hit something hard...not feeling so lucky. Also, a pad used outside of it's MOT can come off in chunks, crumble, fall apart, etc. Finally, a pad pushed over it's MOT can destroy your rotors. The pad will stick to the rotor in globs, and cause an uneven pad deposition. You will then have a wicked vibration when you apply the brakes, and the rotors may not be recoverable. In other words, you run the risk of ruining your rotors along with your pads.
We ship Axxis Ults (the new name for Ultimates) in our BBK's. On the box we place a neon pink sticker that says, "not intended for racetrack use." Despite the manufacturer claims, our experience has shown us that they simply aren't adequate at track speeds and temps. They're okay for a one or a couple of high speed stops, but not 20+ minutes worth (a typical run session). Every time a BBK customer calls and says, "help, I have a vibration," the first question we ask is, "did you run the Axxis Ult's on the track?" I'd say that the answer is 'yes' 70% of the time.
For the stock base calipers, I'd recommend something more like the Hawk Blue:
63-450-0653 Blue 9012 - CLUB RACE $137.95
Last edited by wilric44; Jul 9, 2006 at 03:06 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 98
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From: Dallas, Tx
i just bought these and had them installed yesterday. i must say looks just went up on my car 200203+ times. braking ability is also increased and very noticable compared to stock.
i went to midas because it's 1 block away and i'm lazy and never installed rotors or brake lines and didnt want to screw up my car. they charged me 440 total. i know it's too much but whatever, it's all about how you feel in the end...and i'm very satisfied with the upgrade!
i went to midas because it's 1 block away and i'm lazy and never installed rotors or brake lines and didnt want to screw up my car. they charged me 440 total. i know it's too much but whatever, it's all about how you feel in the end...and i'm very satisfied with the upgrade!
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From: WA
Originally Posted by Jason@Performance
440 isnt bad... I believe we charge $480
Not only does the search button work, but it helps reading the manufacturers website. We all get lazy at times.
I just got my kit installed by Performance Nissan today,
First Impressions: The slotted rotors look nice, I don't really feel a difference from stock, maybe a bit firmer pedal feel. They do stop faster though in traffic no doubt. I'm going drifting for the first time ever on thursday and then 2 days of Drag Racing at Cali Speedway this weekend so I'll have a nice overall impression by Monday
First Impressions: The slotted rotors look nice, I don't really feel a difference from stock, maybe a bit firmer pedal feel. They do stop faster though in traffic no doubt. I'm going drifting for the first time ever on thursday and then 2 days of Drag Racing at Cali Speedway this weekend so I'll have a nice overall impression by Monday
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From: So-Cal - Ready to go?
Originally Posted by wilric44
So Jason you say 400 is not bad. How much to install a front BBK.
Not only does the search button work, but it helps reading the manufacturers website. We all get lazy at times.
Not only does the search button work, but it helps reading the manufacturers website. We all get lazy at times.
I went to Drift Day on Thursday and the new breaks held up very nicely, even though there was not much braking done.
Went to the Drag Strip yesterday for the ultimate test and it's definetely quite an improvment over stock brakes, the car slowed down better and I Had good control over it.
One great side affect: on the stock brakes after a day of racing my wheels were black with brake dust, there was absolutely NO brake dust with the new StopTech Stage II
so I am giving this upgrade a two thumbs up!
Oh, and Performance Nissan did as usual a great job installing them
Went to the Drag Strip yesterday for the ultimate test and it's definetely quite an improvment over stock brakes, the car slowed down better and I Had good control over it.
One great side affect: on the stock brakes after a day of racing my wheels were black with brake dust, there was absolutely NO brake dust with the new StopTech Stage II
so I am giving this upgrade a two thumbs up!
Oh, and Performance Nissan did as usual a great job installing them
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Santa Clara, California
i have a local shop installed the stoptechs last week and they look great on the ZR.. thanks for all the good write up.. however, i can hear some intermittent squeaking coming from the brakes when i m not braking.. This weekend, I took the car to wheelworks to have the brakes inspected and the technician told me that the pad (rear right brake- ST22) was sitting slightly outside (higher than) the diameter of the rotor. He mentioned two possible causes - either the pads are not the right ones for the caliper or caliper is not aligned right in relation to the rotor. Have this happen to anyone else?
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hrmm... what year is your Z?
its really hard to install the rear pads wrong... the only thing I can think of is the mounting bracket not being installed correctly...
Its hard to say without seeing it in person...
Can you see the pad being off the rotor on the top? or are they just going by on the inner part where you see the pad sticking down from the caliper? on the rear there is alot more unused rotor on the inner part with the ST22 kit...
its really hard to install the rear pads wrong... the only thing I can think of is the mounting bracket not being installed correctly...
Its hard to say without seeing it in person...
Can you see the pad being off the rotor on the top? or are they just going by on the inner part where you see the pad sticking down from the caliper? on the rear there is alot more unused rotor on the inner part with the ST22 kit...
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From: Santa Clara, California
thankz for the feedback.. it is a 2005 zr.. the tech showed me the pad off the brakes and i can see the outer rim side of the pad wearing down less than the rest of the pad - forming also a lip! it was hard to see the pad being off the rotor on the top but i will check that out... i am more leaning towards the mounting bracket positioning.
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I just doubled checked the install manual for the ST22 caliper to make sure its not like the ST45 which requires some shaving of the spindle... there isnt so its not that...
Another thing in the manual they say... you made sure the pads are installed friction surface onto the rotor first?
http://stoptech.com/tech_info/bbk_manuals.shtml
a link to the install manual....
Another thing in the manual they say... you made sure the pads are installed friction surface onto the rotor first?
http://stoptech.com/tech_info/bbk_manuals.shtml
a link to the install manual....
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From: Santa Clara, California
thanks for the advice, J.. as it turn out, once the zr was lifted up, it was the front passenger rotor rubbing against the dust shield.. everything else checked out fine once the rubbing piece is removed!