How To: 350z/G35 Dual Piston Brakes

[The6spdMax]

Awesome work! I wonder what's the stopping distance between 6thgen vs g35/350z...

[MrEous]

Just some numbers I found online...take it for what it is:

'02 Maxima 60-0 = 127'
'04-05 Maxima 60-0 = 145'
'09 Maxima 60-0 = 128'

'06 G35 60-0 = 115'

[aackshun]

Originally Posted by MrEous

Just some numbers I found online...take it for what it is:

'02 Maxima 60-0 = 127'
'04-05 Maxima 60-0 = 145'
'09 Maxima 60-0 = 128'

'06 G35 60-0 = 115'

12 Ft is A LOT of distance, me braking 12ft later on each corner can do some SERIOUS damage on the track.... And yes I know blah blah blah blah, now you guys don't go talking about a tangent about the distance one would save on the track.

[The6spdMax]

Originally Posted by MrEous

Just some numbers I found online...take it for what it is:

'02 Maxima 60-0 = 127'
'04-05 Maxima 60-0 = 145'
'09 Maxima 60-0 = 128'

'06 G35 60-0 = 115'

'02 Maxima 60-0 = 127'
'04-05 Maxima 60-0 = 145'

Wow, I guess the 6th gen is heavier but still... 18'??! Good info btw.

[aackshun]

Originally Posted by The6spdMax

'02 Maxima 60-0 = 127'
'04-05 Maxima 60-0 = 145'

Wow, I guess the 6th gen is heavier but still... 18'??! Good info btw.

6th gen maxima also comes w/ 18" wheels, that can factor in a few ft alone just by having 18" wheels vs. 17"s

[MrEous]

Originally Posted by aackshun

6th gen maxima also comes w/ 18" wheels, that can factor in a few ft alone just by having 18" wheels vs. 17"s

True, only if the wheels are heavier though. The 6th gen does have some pounds over a 5th gen.

[aackshun]

Originally Posted by MrEous

True, only if the wheels are heavier though. The 6th gen does have some pounds over a 5th gen.

Even if the wheels are the same weight, 18's take more force to stop than 17's.

Rotational Mass, look it up!!

[MrEous]

Originally Posted by aackshun

Even if the wheels are the same weight, 18's take more force to stop than 17's.

Rotational Mass, look it up!!

Oh ok. So rotational mass of a lighter 18" wheel is going to be higher than a 17" that's heavier? Assuming the wheels are same diameter.

[WesCTR]

Originally Posted by MrEous

Oh ok. So rotational mass of a lighter 18" wheel is going to be higher than a 17" that's heavier? Assuming the wheels are same diameter.

would depend on exact how much lighter that wheel is.

[imaking133]

Originally Posted by MrEous

Oh ok. So rotational mass of a lighter 18" wheel is going to be higher than a 17" that's heavier? Assuming the wheels are same diameter.

not possible

[aackshun]

Lets stay on topic here. Please only post relavant things to the Rotors/Calipers only.

Thanks.

[G3Nis]

Nice write up.
So the Z's come with factory caliper brackets for non-Brembo? I am confused where we get this.

[MrEous]

No brackets

OEM 350z, G35 5th & 4th gen Maximas* have the same knuckles. The Z Brembo and base calipers are interchangeable, just different size rotors.
(*4th gen mounting holes are smaller)

[G3Nis]

Got it. I saw some pics, they come with a stock bracket for non-brembos and the Brembos bolt right up for the bigger rotors.

[wirelessdude04]

very nice write up

[altezzablazes]

Im so upset these calipers go for $60 a pair used. Im about to get rid of 6th gen bbk i have a 5.5 and 6th gen spindles sitting here for test fits

[G3Nis]

Where did you find them for $60? I can't find them for less than 140

[aackshun]

$100 shipped a pair from me, just sayin

If we can get a few pairs moved at one time we can definitely lower le price.

[G3Nis]

Just calipers, or rotors/pads too?

[aackshun]

Calipers+brackets only, you don't want used pads and we don't sell rotors, since they're only $35 from autozone/orielys/advanced etc.

[WesCTR]

I'm definitely going to hit you up soon to grab a pair. I need new brakes pretty bad. Maintenance inspired mods FTW!

[WesCTR]

will thisebrake setup clear 17's?

[MrEous]

I was waiting to update that thread till I was done with the G35 calipers but here goes:

The calipers are not a direct bolt-on if mated with a 12.6" rotor. The holes line up just fine on the 5th gen knuckle, no problem there, but there is just a little bit of scraping from the rotor to the inside of the caliper. Just like the 6th gen caliper setup, you either have to mill the 12.6" rotor down or you can do what I'm in the process of doing and mill down the surface area of the caliper itself. They're iron so milling down 3mm from the caliper shouldn't be an issue.

The G35 dual-piston calipers are definitely an upgrade over the 6th gen setup anyway...just not as direct of a bolt-on than we hoped.

[aackshun]

See this is where things get weird, I will make a video tonight of them not touching w/ the A34/V35/Z33 12.6" Rotor

[MrEous]

And you're using a 2006 G35 dual piston caliper...?

Oh...just curious but you drilled your holes only to be bigger, right? Not offset? You are using stock 4th gen torque member? (terminology?)

[G3Nis]

Is there any difference between the z33 and a34 12.6 rotors?

[aackshun]

Originally Posted by MrEous

And you're using a 2006 G35 dual piston caliper...?

Oh...just curious but you drilled your holes only to be bigger, right? Not offset? You are using stock 4th gen torque member? (terminology?)

Yes.

Yes, I mean they may have been off by a mm because it was hand drilled while the spindle was on the car, but it should be dead on stock.

Originally Posted by G3Nis

Is there any difference between the z33 and a34 12.6 rotors?

Not one single mm.

[MrEous]

Doesn't make sense. I definitely had the issue on my 2003 Max though. FWIW

[MrEous]

For comparison's sake...and this is by no means an exact measurement. I measured from the inside 'ceiling' to the torque bracket mounting holes of the G35 caliper and a very-stock-fitting-to-12.6"-rotor-caliper.

The difference is evident. It's fine though, I have the tool now to grind down the inside ceiling of the G35 caliper so all is well on that aspect...pics are for educational purpose only.

[jviv35]

Glad I read this before ordering a set of 05 Z calipers. Odd how OP's worked and others haven't...also read in 6gen forum bout it not working. I'd imagine this is due to the modified knuckle...may have given the mm or so needed to bolt right up without shaving anything.

Anyone else have success without modifying the caliper or knuckle in any way? Also does this shaving of the caliper or milling of the rotor affect performance in any way? This would be boss if it could work for sure, but for practicality/cost it may be easier to just stick to 6gen rotor/caliper set up (for 5.5gen's that is).

[MrEous]

The main difference between 6th gen caliper and the '06 G35/350z caliper is the latter has dual piston. The 6th gens are plug and play, thanks for correcting me jviv.

Take it for what it's worth...pricing will be close to the same for the 6th gen or '06 G/Z calipers and minor modification to the G/Z is needed which isn't a horrible solution.


As far as the performance...I doubt there is going to be much structural damage. The G calipers I have are heavy iron and pretty thick regardless of the 3mm I've milled out.

[jviv35]

Originally Posted by MrEous

Regardless you have to mill down a 6th gen rotor about 3mm to make it work...the only difference between 6th gen caliper and the '06 G35/350z caliper is the latter has dual piston.

Take it for what it's worth...pricing will be close to the same for the 6th gen or '06 G/Z calipers and modification still needs to be done to either. Depends on your flavor of pistons.


As far as the performance...I doubt there is going to be much structural damage. The G calipers I have are heavy iron and pretty thick regardless of the 3mm I've milled out.

Funny haven't read this anywhere. From what I've researched it's plug and play with 6th gen caliper/rotor/pads and 5.5gen knuckle. Gonna do some more noob research just to confirm I guess. Don't have the means or time to be milling/shaving/drilling anything. Back to the drawing board otherwise...unless you'd mill the calipers for me and we work it out cost wise

[MrEous]

Oops sorry, it is confirmed to be plug/play for 6th gen caliper/rotor on a 5.5. The 5th genners were using a bracket and I think that's where I confused it.

[jviv35]

^^Figured as much. So how much work is it to mill out the 3mm from the caliper? Can this be done easily or does it have to be done on some special machine? Has anyone else bit the bullet and tried this with success on their 5th/5.5 gen?

[aackshun]

Gahhh, I get off work in 45 minutes, I am heading straight home and putting the red car back in the air, making a video to confirm this.

[G3Nis]

So essentially the knuckle bolt holes on the max is ~3mm lower than that of the Z?

[jviv35]

Originally Posted by aackshun

Gahhh, I get off work in 45 minutes, I am heading straight home and putting the red car back in the air, making a video to confirm this.

Waiting with baited breath...but I must say the odds are somewhat stacked against you otherwise. Spoke to Brian at fastbrakes about this and he was quite skeptical. Without hesitation he spoke of the difference in radi between the A34 and Z caliper brackets (measured earlier on by MrEous). Make me a believer!

[aackshun]

Jeff is right!! There is a difference of around 3mm.

On my initial testing I thought it was the pads making the noise, but no, it was the bracket.

So...... I have an idea.... 6th gen Brackets maybe? Possibly? no idea, but I'll have 6th gen brakes to play with tomorrow night to continue this, the only clearances I checked was the first opening for the rotor, I didn't investigate further.

Edit: Ok getting just a bracket for a 6th gen is quite hard, would require someone to get a caliper with it too, I will still find out though, at least possible news for those who already may have 6th gen brakes.

Looks like this is another mod that requires grinding

[jviv35]

^^^You grind + I/we pay = profit? (not to mention a on my face). Think about it...I'll be the guinea pig if need be

[MrEous]

I started grinding down on one of the calipers and it almost clears my 12.58" rotors. I ended up going with a different BBK for now but haven't decided on just finishing up the grinding or bailing with what I've already done and set up a FS.

Decisions Decisions...