mtnbikeair

iTrader: (4)

Is there a brake caliper that will fit directly on the 3rd generation maxima from a newer maxima that looks better? From what i understand they have the same bolt pattern, and use the same size rotor, but does anyone know off the top of their head if there is a better looking brake? I dont want to go for the BBK because i dont ever really need to stop that fast since im not racing or anything, i just want them to look cooler.

Mizeree_X

iTrader: (9)

In short, no. All Maximas from 89 on use a 1-piston design, the 5.5 and 6th gens have bigger ones, but the basic look is the same. Only thing I can think of is an Altima SE-R caliper, it is the same type as ours and "looks cooler". A pair from the dealer will probably cost more than an entire BBK though. Why don't you paint yours silver or black or something?

mtnbikeair

iTrader: (4)

Well i am painting them red, because i think the red looks really nice, but i just didnt know if there was a design that looked better before i put too much paint on them.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

red looks like crap on them.. don't mess with it.

you can bolt on any brake setup from any 89-2004 Maxima, but you need the rotors as well if you get anything 00 or newer.

89-99 all use the same front rotors and calipers.
00-01 are larger
02-03 are larger than that
04-05 are huge.

Mizeree_X

iTrader: (9)

Painting stock calipers red = teh rice.

Tarzan

Which year rotors are best from warpage perspective?

ghostridden

iTrader: (2)

buy matt's BBK, its only 800 bucks

tripleGmax

iTrader: (8)

hey matt, you got the 04 max rotors on your ride, so what are your calipers, i saw you put bigger ones on a little while back.....wilwood are they just 04 max stock calipers?

yes red calipers are bad.........if you paint them paint them to match your rims are the accent color on the bottom of your car.

mtnbikeair

iTrader: (4)

Well, i really like the red, so to each his own.

tripleGmax

iTrader: (8)

true, i was just giving my 2 cents, but of course nobody cares about pennies......err something.

hows that VE coming along??

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Paint sucks:

mtnbikeair

iTrader: (4)

Oh its comin, its been a ton of fun! It still need a new headgasket and no one in town recommends getting a headgasket without machining the heads, so im just going to drive it till it gets bad and then get a new motor.

mtnbikeair

iTrader: (4)

Thats how much i paid for the car itself!

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

do those look like the '04 Maxima rotors?
http://mattblehm.com/pics/car/brakes...s/100_0638.JPG

tripleGmax

iTrader: (8)

no they look custom

PunkFriday

that rotor looks mighty rusty. brake more! :ha:

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

And coupled with my rear bbk brackets and Z31 rotors, this would make a great budget bbk system

mtnbikeair

iTrader: (4)

Do the 00-01; 02-03; 04-05; brakes actually make a difference.

And just to make sure i understand this correctly.... If i wanted to get 02-03 brakes, all that i would need to make them work is a set of rotors and calipers? No mounting brackets or anything needed?

tripleGmax

iTrader: (8)

here is my 2 cents from reading matts site and asking him a few questions.

get yourself some 04 rotors ( i found some on nissanforums for 150, some on ebay for same price) get some 300zx 30mm calipers roughly 100 on ebay or so and get Matts $200 kit that inlcudes the fuel lines youll need and the reloaction bracket and bolts. the 04 rotors are like 12.6" aka big. Thats what i plan on doing sometime down the road....who knows when but its a nice alternative to spending 800 on his full kit.

anyways youll also need to spend like 50 bucks on pads and fluid...that should do it.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Or you could buy my brackets for $45 shipped, get some 13" Cobra rotors and use the same lines. Get the cobra rotors drilled for the maxima stud size or buy the hub rings. About the same price if not cheaper.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

and find a handful of nuts and bolts, and hope your wheels clear.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

That takes like 5 min at the store. Teh 300z calipers need huge clearance either way you cut it

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

we need a better caliper alternative to the z32 caliper.

mtnbikeair

iTrader: (4)

Well your the parts man... find us a better one!

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

better is a relative term

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

What is "better"??? Hard to beat an all aluminum 4 piston caliper that's has oem quality and about a million pad choices.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

something that has a larger pad surface area, better wheel clearance for 2 things
and OEM quality isn't always the best.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

I agree I guess.

Then say goodbye to all caliper with 4 pistons. Your stuck with Z31 types which I don't know how they clamp, or maybe a Baer 2 piston for the Mustang/Cobra. Have fun doing the rotor offsets and designing the bracket.
And the Baer types will be more expensive. But at least they are aluminum

Sure Wilwood, Brembo and AP are "better". Say goodbye to affordability and easy pad selection. I don't know offhand if they offer 2 piston types either. And then there's that pesky bracket again. And since most are 4-6-8 piston types, now you have that wheel clearance problem again.

Best bet is one of the oem Nissan 2 piston choices already mentioned. But they are cast iron. But it's probably the best compromise.

Wheel clearance is no problem with me. 17s with no spacers needed. I'm not sure if one of the oem Nissan choices will have any chance in fitting under a 16" rim.

If I had to do a brake upgrade on the cheap, I'd do the 300z calipers/rotors. Then run the 16" 300z na wheels/tires with maybe a very thin spacer to allow the use of 225 tires front/back. Then run my rear bbk brackets. You can't get any cheaper than that. At some point, you gotta pay to run these types of things.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

Well DUH!!!
that's why I stopped doing the research. I decided I'm staying with my stock 15s for a long time.
I have given thought to doing a dual piston setup. but decided against it.