Anyone AutoXing w/ Q45 Brakes on a S13 ??

[El_Guapo]

Hey guys,

Just like the title says, I wanted to see if anyone is using Q45 front calipers for autoxing. If so, what are your thoughts/opinions on how they perform autoxing?

The reason I ask is because I have heard that the 300zx front calipers have a little too much bite and tend to lock-up the front brakes when autoxing/heavy braking situations.

I was fortunate enough to come across a killer deal on a pair of Q45 front calipers and I am planning on running them along with SS brake lines, powerslot rotors, and hawk hps brake pads. The rear brakes will remail stock with upgraded hawk hps pads.

What do you guys think of this setup/combo? Any advice on improving it for autoxing would be appreciated.



Thanks,



Ivan

[RBbugBITme]

I am 99% sure that is what my buddy was running and he loves them. I'll check again.

[2Fass240us]

The reason I ask is because I have heard that the 300zx front calipers have a little too much bite and tend to lock-up the front brakes when autoxing/heavy braking situations.

Modulate your braking better or get some r-comps.

My Wilwoods were too much for street tires in autocross, so I just improved my braking.

[El_Guapo]

Modulate your braking better or get some r-comps.

My Wilwoods were too much for street tires in autocross, so I just improved my braking.

I always blame the parts! It can never be something wrong with my driving. Kind of like when I go golfing, I think my driver has a slice in it.

[Cory]

My setup sucks with Q45 front calipers and stock rears. It has way too much front bias. The Q45 setup actually applies more front brake torque than the 300zx according to Asad's post:

http://forums.freshalloy.com/showthread.php?t=94734

You would go from having 75% front brake bias to 78.5% front bias. I would recommend using 300zx rear calipers and a 300zx MBC.

[Def]

As said above, Q45s have MORE front bias.

I'd go with some aluminum Z32s and call it a day - they're not that expensive and have got to be lighter than Q45 sliding calipers. Plus you can change pads without pulling the whole caliper - it's so much nicer working on fixed vs. sliding calipers.

[El_Guapo]

My setup sucks with Q45 front calipers and stock rears. It has way too much front bias. The Q45 setup actually applies more front brake torque than the 300zx according to Asad's post:

http://forums.freshalloy.com/showthread.php?t=94734

You would go from having 75% front brake bias to 78.5% front bias. I would recommend using 300zx rear calipers and a 300zx MBC.

Thanks Cory, that is exactly the type of information I am looking for along with some hands on experience autoxing with the Q45 setup.


Ivan

[RBbugBITme]

Here's a fun little spreadsheet I found you can use to verify the post.

http://www.jakelatham.com/radical/info/brake_calculators.shtml#pedalratio

[ecugrad]

Plus you can change pads without pulling the whole caliper - it's so much nicer working on fixed vs. sliding calipers.

That ALONE is worth the price of admission.

No caliper slide pin grease = WIN!

[racepar1]

If you want to upgrade your brakes you must ALWAYS upgrade both ends of the car. A LOT of 240 guys are out there running around with bigger fronts (either q-45 or 300zx) with stockers in the rear. Those guys are dumbasses and would be better off with stock brakes with good rotors, pads, lines, fluid, and some front brake ducts. For auto-x I wouldn't bother going beyond that as if you are on the brakes hard enough to overheat that set-up on an auto-x course you are doing something wrong.

[RBbugBITme]

AGREED! Brakes are a very misunderstood and commonly modified component.

[Def]

It's pretty easy to get things pretty close to stock with some Z32 fronts and some larger rear rotors with stock calipers if that's a requirement.

I do agree it's best to do it all at the same time though. Z32 MC + full Z32 brakes or start doing some custom tinkering like Andy likes to torture himself with.

[2Fass240us]

If you want to upgrade your brakes you must ALWAYS upgrade both ends of the car.

This is not true. I sized my Wilwoods to be about the same size as the stock ABS ones. With their most tame pad (Polymatrix E), I am at the same bias and brake torque as with a completely OE setup and mild pad.

It's all about the work you put into it. I agree that a lot of 240 guys won't, but not everyone is like that.

or start doing some custom tinkering like Andy likes to torture himself with.

Torture? Far from it...it was actually pretty cool. But I like spreadsheets. And while I'm no Tim/Jacob, I enjoy using a microscopic bit of my engineering degree for car stuff.

[Def]

Torture? Far from it...it was actually pretty cool. But I like spreadsheets. And while I'm no Tim/Jacob, I enjoy using a microscopic bit of my engineering degree for car stuff.

I know, I was just messing with ya. I fully understand the joy of geeking out for a few hours doing spreadsheet analysis of all sorts of things then arriving at the "ultim4t3 sOLut1oN!!!!1!!!11"

[Cory]

I really like the performancebox for this. Any time I change something in the brakes, I can go out and immediately test 60-0 or 70-0 distance/time and see how much I improved. I can tell you now that Q45 fronts are not good at all alone. I usually see around 135' at best. They help fade resistance a lot though.