Hi Guys
I am looking for suggestions on upgrading discs and calipers on standard 1200 struts.Has anybody done a relatively easily conversion that a dumb builder can attempt that won't involve millions of dollars at machine shops (thousands is ok)and untold expense at the local brake shop.
Thanks
Bob

I'd recommend you check this tech section link as a thought starter.

2 highlights would proably be stanza brakes and 120Y struts with silvia brakes.

http://datsun1200.com/modules/nsections/index.php?op=listarticles&secid=4

i couldn't find the bit about silvia brakes (i may just be blind though!!) are they a straight bolt on, or are some mods needed??

What I'm trying to do is use the actual 1200 struts beef the suspension up a bit and put bigger rotors and discs on . I would like to go this way so I dont have to fork out for another set of struts
Cheers
Bob

Do you have a 1200 coupe that has disc brakes anyway?

Hi Dodgeman
Have a ute and have obtained later model ute struts with ordinary rotors. Just want to do some local club stuff and want an easy way of increasing braking performance
Cheers
Bob

Quote:

If thats the case, hit up DATRATS for some awesome braking and suspension

I believe that the bare 1200 Coupe strut & the Japanese 120Y strut are the same, but I didn't know anything about late model utes in Australia using disc brakes.

That aside, if you have struts that are the same as the two mentioned above, then I believe that it's possible to fit 180SX rotors to the original front hubs after they have been machined a whisker to reduce their OD. At this point there are a number of calipers that become good candidates & can be fitted with an adapter piece between the strut & the caliper.
Oh yeah, you will need the 180SX wheel studs as the rotor goes on the outside of the hub & the wheel track is increased by about a half inch [12mm] overall.

These are a good intermediate upgrade as they enhance brake performance quite noticeably without an excessive increase in unsprung mass & all at a realistic & cost effective price.

Hopefully someone who has done this conversion will write & tell us more as I am interested in doing this job myself on my 1200 coupe.

In response to my previous post I was contacted by 2QK4U & this is the edited content of his PM.
It looks like it is a good & cost effective upgrade with minimal track or unsprung mass increase.
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Im doing this conversion at the moment. All I had to do was remove the disc from the 1200 hub and replace the stud bolts with the ones from a Silvia, then the disc fits over the hub like you mentioned with the machining, and a adaptor plate is bolted onto the strut.
Kev Rowley is doing this for me and uses high tensile metal to make the bracket. he charges something like $150 to do the conversion if you supply the parts, so all you need is the 1200 coupe or 120Y struts, the Silvia calipers, and the discs, along with the longer wheel studs. it puts an extra 12mm on the front track width because the Silvia disc is mounted on the outside of the hub face, [6mm per side] and needs 14" wheels as a minimum to clear.

You can use the Skyline 4 spot calipers on this too but you will have to redrill the disc to take the 114.3 x 4 stud pattern then the problem is getting a wheel with the right offset in 4 stud to clear the massive caliper. Both the Smaller CA18 and larger SR20 turbo brakes fit on the conversion plate using the corresponding discs. cheers.
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This was followed by, ............

The brakes suit the 1200 very nicely, not overkill, but are fully sufficient and it's probably only you track guys that would be able to push them to their full capacity. Its a very simple and straight forward conversion using all the same Nissan braking equipment, not chopping and changing with different makes. The advantages are that they are so light and nimble but with plenty of stopping power and as you said, wheel track isn't effected much at all. Probably the most affordable and most effective conversion you could do, looking at the value for money aspect. Also, Kev doesnt charge an arm and a leg. Brakes are readily available and 120Y struts are not very hard to get hold of. Also aftermarket slotted rotors and good brake pads etc are easy to source.
Mate im not sure how to add this to the thread so if you could do it thats be sweet, I didn't know if people would have thought much of it. Cheers.
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This sounds like a better deal overall than some of the other systems that produce an overkill & overweight brake for use in street cars with relatively modest performance pretentions.
Cars with big output engines might be a different matter.
Thanks for the info 2QUICK, you're a Champion. If you have any pictures, then send them along & I will add them in if you like.

Thanks Dodgeman and 2QK4U for the info
it sounds reasonably straightforward but I would like to fit 13" rims over the conversion.
Also could someone pass on Contact details for Kev Rowley as he sounds like the man to talk to
Thanks
Bob