Brake upgrades

[JT68]

To clear up some obvious confusion on this thread:

Soooo, ----I thought you wanted to stay with 14's? (first post), right?

The Wilwoods do weigh 1/2 the Volvos and require no odd plumbing fittings or gyrations.

They also have SS pistons, so corrosion is pretty much a non-issue. (long life)

If you run the stock rotor, no rotor hat is required.

The Wilwoods can be properly sized to match the OE master cylinder.
--or can be used with oversized masters (which is not a great idea)

If running the OEM rotor there is zero offset change to the front end. (with stock or Wilwood calipers)


Having said this, you can't just "whip up" the Wilwood setup in your garage, it does involve some precision machined parts.

My suggestions: If you want lowest cost, stay with Stock or run the Volvos -- that stuff is cheapest at the moment

Although, The Wilwoods are only slightly more expensive than a complete OEM redo.-- That stuff adds up fast if "all new"

ZX stuff is bigger, heavier, and more expensive, and I don't think it is going under vintage 14" rims right?

[Datsun2000steve]

Thanks JT.
You went straight to the "hub" of the matter. I want to stay with the 14" so the ZX option is ruled out. I'd like to go with the DBA610S rotor which is a standard size. I'm not confident in the current standard brake set up (though some assure me the standard brakes are more than adequate) and am leaning towards an aluminium 4 pot caliper ie Wilwood (weight and better braking). So, I suppose the obvious questions are:
which Wilwood calipers
what adapters
Your thread helps somewhat. I was hoping someone might have done all this and it's all rather 'prescriptive'. I understand I'm going to spend money to get this right, but I'd prefer not to increase the spend by adding wheels and tyres to the equation.
Thanks again JT. I appreciate your input.

[JT68]

You are welcome//understand, that's exactly why I went to the Wil's! Several sets of Vintage 14' wheels around and no real need to go up.

The stock brakes are OK, but there are severe limitations. They were a great design in 1962! way ahead of other designs.

By todays standards the external tubes are primitive- can be dangerous--, pad selection very limited
and corrosion is an ongoing problem-- even if you sleeve them with SS, the pistons will ultimately corrode and seize at some point-its a fact.

Volvos,300z's, Wilwood all provide various significant improvements over the stock brakes in performance and trouble free operation.

Yep, in good repair the stock brakes will certainly stop the car, and compared to other sports cars from the late 60's they are pretty good., but a newer, better design will out perform them and require less maintenance., no doubt.

[Datsun2000steve]

Thanks JT.
Did you go with the Billet Dynalite calipers?
Are you willing to "share" the design of the adapter(s)?

[sunbeam590]

G'day Kevin,
I can't see your post on the forum but your message came through my email.
I had a pair of Commodore calipers, got 'em for nothing, but the weight and the fact they were a sliding caliper turned me off.
You're happy with the results?

Yes they work pretty well, and clear my Datsun 160z 14" mags ok.. VB,VC, &VH all are supposed to fit ok..

[JT68]

Thanks JT.
Did you go with the Billet Dynalite calipers?
Are you willing to "share" the design of the adapter(s)?

I'll be glad to help you off-line/ pm or email is best!

[Datsun2000steve]

Thanks JT.
How do I do either of those things?

[JT68]

just left click (at least on my machine) right on JT68 and my profile should pop up. select send email. (pm tends to fill up)

Thank you, J

[Datsun2000steve]

Hi JT,
Not sure if you received my PM?
Let me know, please.
Regards,
Steve