Q45 Caliper/13'' Cobra Rotor BBK Upgrade Write Up
#1
Q45 Caliper/13'' Cobra Rotor BBK Upgrade Write Up
Parts used:
*90-96 Infiniti Q45 front calipers
*Hawk HPS Pads (HB415F.583 Will also fit 92-97 Infiniti J30 front calipers)
*Technafit SS Braided Lines (direct fit for the calipers)
*13'' Ford Mustang Cobra rotors - RTP Zinc coated
*Jeff92se's brackets and centering rings (the brackets are designed for the 300zx calipers but will work w/ this upgrade. The centering rings are made for 13'' Cobra rotors. The rings center the rotor.)
*Nuts/bolts/washers (Purchased from Home Depot)
4 Hex Bolts (12mm-1 75x40mm)
4 Lock washers (12mm)
4 Lock Nuts Nylon Insert (12mm-1 75)
Instructions on how to remove your front calipers + rotors found here: http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/300
*FYI* I have 18'' wheels w/ a 30 offset w/ a 1'' lip. This upgrade will not clear stock 4th gen wheels!!
After reading on how to remove the rotor + caliper, continue below...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Dust Shield Removal*
The dust shield will only accomodate the stock Maxima rotor. In order for your new rotors to fit, you'll have to either...
a) Bend the lip back until its straight
b) Cut the lip off
c) Remove the dust shield entirely
Removal of dust shield
Once the shield is taken care of, use the bbk bracket (dogbone looking piece) IN FRONT of the knuckle. (pictured)
(this is behind the hub. The new hardware is on the right. The stock Maxima hardware is on the left.)
Once the bracket is in place, use the new hardware to secure it. Insert the bolts from the front and secure it w/ a nut.
Top view of the bracket + bolts, notice the lockwasher on the right side.
*90-96 Infiniti Q45 front calipers
*Hawk HPS Pads (HB415F.583 Will also fit 92-97 Infiniti J30 front calipers)
*Technafit SS Braided Lines (direct fit for the calipers)
*13'' Ford Mustang Cobra rotors - RTP Zinc coated
*Jeff92se's brackets and centering rings (the brackets are designed for the 300zx calipers but will work w/ this upgrade. The centering rings are made for 13'' Cobra rotors. The rings center the rotor.)
*Nuts/bolts/washers (Purchased from Home Depot)
4 Hex Bolts (12mm-1 75x40mm)
4 Lock washers (12mm)
4 Lock Nuts Nylon Insert (12mm-1 75)
Instructions on how to remove your front calipers + rotors found here: http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/300
*FYI* I have 18'' wheels w/ a 30 offset w/ a 1'' lip. This upgrade will not clear stock 4th gen wheels!!
After reading on how to remove the rotor + caliper, continue below...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Dust Shield Removal*
The dust shield will only accomodate the stock Maxima rotor. In order for your new rotors to fit, you'll have to either...
a) Bend the lip back until its straight
b) Cut the lip off
c) Remove the dust shield entirely
Removal of dust shield
Once the shield is taken care of, use the bbk bracket (dogbone looking piece) IN FRONT of the knuckle. (pictured)
(this is behind the hub. The new hardware is on the right. The stock Maxima hardware is on the left.)
Once the bracket is in place, use the new hardware to secure it. Insert the bolts from the front and secure it w/ a nut.
Top view of the bracket + bolts, notice the lockwasher on the right side.
#2
*Test Fit the Rotor and Torque Member & Rotor*
Mounting the rotor onto the hub and securing the torque member onto the bracket.
1) Place the new centering ring onto the hub for the new rotor to sit on. Make certain its flush w/ the hub.
2) After the ring is in place, put the 13'' rotor on. It should sit on the hub w/o trouble. Make sure the dust shield isn't touching the rear of the rotor.
3) Place the caliper bracket in front of the remaining two holes of the bracket and secure w/ either the stock Maxima hardware or new hardware.(17mm bolts)
4) Load the new pads into the torque member.
*Mounting the Caliper*
Rotor, caliper successfully mounted.
5) Place the new calipers onto the torque member and secure it w/ the caliper pins. (14mm bolts)
6) Re-attach the brake lines.
7) Check that all bolts are properly torqued and re-mount tire.
8) Check to see if the rotor spins freely. If not, check your wheel spokes for contact w/ the caliper. Grinding of the caliper might be necessary.
If everything is successful, dont forget to bed in those new brakes. Instructions to do so are found here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm
Enjoy!
Mounting the rotor onto the hub and securing the torque member onto the bracket.
1) Place the new centering ring onto the hub for the new rotor to sit on. Make certain its flush w/ the hub.
2) After the ring is in place, put the 13'' rotor on. It should sit on the hub w/o trouble. Make sure the dust shield isn't touching the rear of the rotor.
3) Place the caliper bracket in front of the remaining two holes of the bracket and secure w/ either the stock Maxima hardware or new hardware.(17mm bolts)
4) Load the new pads into the torque member.
*Mounting the Caliper*
Rotor, caliper successfully mounted.
5) Place the new calipers onto the torque member and secure it w/ the caliper pins. (14mm bolts)
6) Re-attach the brake lines.
7) Check that all bolts are properly torqued and re-mount tire.
8) Check to see if the rotor spins freely. If not, check your wheel spokes for contact w/ the caliper. Grinding of the caliper might be necessary.
If everything is successful, dont forget to bed in those new brakes. Instructions to do so are found here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm
Enjoy!
#5
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Originally Posted by sciff5
This doesnt fit under the 5.5 gen SE rims does it?
From the edge of the caliper to the inside of the wheel, there is about .5 in. of clearance. As you probably know, the 6th gen rotors are 12.6" while the cobra rotors are 13". This leaves you with .1 in. of clearance, and since i'm willing to bet the Q45 calipers are even bigger than the 6th gen ones, I wouldn't try to fit these under the 5.5 wheels unless you have a set that you know this will fit behind...
There is also the offset issue. The 6th gen calipers clear my 5.5 gen SE wheels just BARELY with .15" to spare...as i mentioned before, the Q45 calipers are proabably larger, so even if it did fit vertically, you would need wheel spacers to fit them
#6
Is there a difference in the offset needed to fit these wheels compared to the Z32 calipers? I have a set of 18 s with a 45mm offset and I need a 15mm spacer to fit the Z32. Are these calipers a little smaller?
#7
Yes, you will notice that the J/Q calipers don't have have pistons on teh outside. This makes clearnance issues easier to deal with. But the bracket will still make the caliper stick out about 10mm more. You might be able to get away with no spacer. How much clearance to you have with these wheels and your stock calipers? If you have a few inches, you "should" be okay
Originally Posted by JeremysBlkMax97
Is there a difference in the offset needed to fit these wheels compared to the Z32 calipers? I have a set of 18 s with a 45mm offset and I need a 15mm spacer to fit the Z32. Are these calipers a little smaller?
#8
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sorry ahead of time to mention this jeff, but I would guess the blehmco relocation brackets would allow you to "bolt-on" the J30/Q45 calipers onto the 6th gen rotors which would allow a little more clearance in diameter of wheel...but spoke and offset of the stock wheels would still be an issue...but I would think most aftermarket wheels would be just fine...! I am not trying to tell anyone to go that route over jeff's, but it's just another option that's out there...
#9
Originally Posted by michaelnyden
sorry ahead of time to mention this jeff, but I would guess the blehmco relocation brackets would allow you to "bolt-on" the J30/Q45 calipers onto the 6th gen rotors which would allow a little more clearance in diameter of wheel...but spoke and offset of the stock wheels would still be an issue...but I would think most aftermarket wheels would be just fine...! I am not trying to tell anyone to go that route over jeff's, but it's just another option that's out there...
#10
Actually to clarify:
Techically yes. But since both setups require 17" or larger, it's really a non-issue. I'll assume his needs a 17 as the 6 gens come with 17s or 18s.
His feature a tad more clearance because his doesn't move the caliper out. But we are only talking 10mm. In most cases, wheels either clear or they don't regardless of kit.
Originally Posted by michaelnyden
sorry ahead of time to mention this jeff, but I would guess the blehmco relocation brackets would allow you to "bolt-on" the J30/Q45 calipers onto the 6th gen rotors which would allow a little more clearance in diameter of wheel..
.but spoke and offset of the stock wheels would still be an issue...but I would think most aftermarket wheels would be just fine...! I am not trying to tell anyone to go that route over jeff's, but it's just another option that's out there...
#11
I have to give jeffs kit credit as far as cost effectiveness and functionality. For under $500 you can have a 13" BBK with 2 piston calipers. This should be MORE than sufficent for the maxima.
#17
I sold a TON of brackets/rings before. I guess most of the 4-5 gen modding crew has done/considered this.
But when you can have a 2 piston / 13" rotor BBK for what, $350 or less? I thought more would be jumping on this setup at least.
But when you can have a 2 piston / 13" rotor BBK for what, $350 or less? I thought more would be jumping on this setup at least.
Originally Posted by Kevlo911
There aren't too many people doing BBK's in the first place, that is why many have not jumped on this. Plus it is alot less known...
#18
I took a few ppl in my car yesterday for some 100-0, 65-0, and 35-0 stops. They were quite impressed I sparked the interested of Requin6. He's looking into this setup as well
I love my brakes
I love my brakes
#19
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
I sold a TON of brackets/rings before. I guess most of the 4-5 gen modding crew has done/considered this.
But when you can have a 2 piston / 13" rotor BBK for what, $350 or less? I thought more would be jumping on this setup at least.
But when you can have a 2 piston / 13" rotor BBK for what, $350 or less? I thought more would be jumping on this setup at least.
Your product would apeal to a MUCH larger audience if you didnt need aftermarket rims. Even though this braking system is under 500$ you need to pick up aftermarket rims for another 500$ at the VERY least. So to the avg person this is a 1000-1500$ investment at the very least.
#20
Well you gotta pay to play here. Almost every larger rotor bbk is going to require different wheels. But considering Z/G 18s with tires are so cheap now, is easy to find wheels that clear. Hell I used the 17x8 1998 Cobra wheels with no problems.
Plus most people spend $ on aftermarket wheels anyway.
Plus most people spend $ on aftermarket wheels anyway.
Originally Posted by sciff5
Your product would apeal to a MUCH larger audience if you didnt need aftermarket rims. Even though this braking system is under 500$ you need to pick up aftermarket rims for another 500$ at the VERY least. So to the avg person this is a 1000-1500$ investment at the very least.
#21
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
Well you gotta pay to play here. Almost every larger rotor bbk is going to require different wheels. But considering Z/G 18s with tires are so cheap now, is easy to find wheels that clear. Hell I used the 17x8 1998 Cobra wheels with no problems.
Plus most people spend $ on aftermarket wheels anyway.
Plus most people spend $ on aftermarket wheels anyway.
Deff true, but for the people like me who arent lookin to upgade their wheels, or just cant pony up 1500$ like we could 500$ it deff stinks that this kit wont fit.
If I had aftermarket rims already though.. there wouldent be a question in my mind.. I would buy this kit, I spent pretty much the same money on the 6th gen brakes.
#22
okay i am sourcing out some Q45 calipers on car-part.com. some of them are listed as 'ABS'. are there calipers specific to ABS and non-ABS cars?
i do NOT have ABS on my car. just want to make sure i am looking in the right direction.
i do NOT have ABS on my car. just want to make sure i am looking in the right direction.
#25
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requin/paul, you can also get q45 calipers from www.fastbrakes.com
completely rebuilt...and they are expensive because there is no core charge so factor that in...you can also add hawk hps pads from the same place and get it all in one order...
completely rebuilt...and they are expensive because there is no core charge so factor that in...you can also add hawk hps pads from the same place and get it all in one order...
#29
anyone tried www.car-parts.com yet. I got my 6th gen calipers for 50$ each there.
#32
Just thought I'd chime in after a couple of years of usage. Im still on the same Hawk pads and they still feel as great as ever. I've had 0 problems with this setup thus far. The pedal feels as firm as it did the day of the upgrade and the car stops like a champion. Still, the best bang per buck brake upgrade!
#34
nice write up, Anyone care to chime in by chance what thickness the bracket is to give the correct offset for the caliper to be centered on the rotor? I am currently in the process of mock fitting my r33 gts-t calipers to cobra rotors, and i'd like to be able to buy my materials in the correct thickness so i don't need to rush washers or what not.
#35
Aren't the R33 calipers almost identical to the 300zx? What size are these? What car are you putting these on?
nice write up, Anyone care to chime in by chance what thickness the bracket is to give the correct offset for the caliper to be centered on the rotor? I am currently in the process of mock fitting my r33 gts-t calipers to cobra rotors, and i'd like to be able to buy my materials in the correct thickness so i don't need to rush washers or what not.
#36
Main differences are the length of the mounting ears. The r33 rotors are 296x30mm , as opposed to the z32 which is 280x30mm. Thus, the r33 calipers when mounted, are further out 8 mm. I wish i could just run pre made brackets to save myself the hassle but i'd have an extra 8 mm of pad not touching the rotor so not an option i'd really like to pursue. These are going on my s13 btw.
#40
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BTW, is it possible to manufacture brackets for the 13" rotors that would not require 10mm more clearance? The way I envision this being possible would be to have a two layer bracket using welding to make a "Z" joint in the bracket, bringing it back to stock distance from the hub where the caliper bolts up. That way some of us with tighter spoke clearances could install the complete BBK. Otherwise, I think I may have to stick with stock size rotors due to not having enough spoke clearance. (I'm not changing my rims, at least not for a while)