I am considering going to the 280ZX front brake upgrade on my coupe because I want to keep my stock strut assembly. Has anyone here done the conversion? I need some real world feedback as to the improvement that the conversion brings.
I noticed that there is no mention of a dust cover being used. Is there an existing dust cover that could be used, or would I have to fabricate one?

First, I find calling this front disc upgrade 280zx confusing. Many are using 280zx front strut assemblies with vented rotors that come stock that way.
Second this upgrade adss only the thickness of the hat to the track width about 1/4" per side.
This link http://community.ratsun.net/topic/242 ... 0-brake-upgrade-mklotz70/
Is the one that Mike Klotz made the brackets. Dust shields weren't a consideration as the shield bolts on where the bracket bolts on. You could bolt them in between bracket and caliper.Knowing Datsun, proably a dust shield from an 80's datsun/nissan may work. Some models calipers were in front off the rotor, some in the rear, maybe able to switch them side to side to clear the caliper.
I have had mine on my 1200 coupe for almost 2 years and really like them-ALOT! I run 205/50-13 tires. Davec put them on his black 1200 coupe and he was impressed and a little suprised that the upgrade works that well. He runs 185/60-13's, an average size tire foot print.
240sx rear NON-ABS rotors 89-98 will work, the difference is .5mm shorter hat height. Sometime you can find this slotted, or cross drilled and slotted cheaper then earlier 200sx or Maxima,etc.

Quote:

"First, I find calling this front disc upgrade 280zx confusing."

Not confusing at all. One is the 280ZX front strut conversion, which includes the front ventilated stock brakes assembly and keeps the track narrow. The other is just upgrading the small 8" rotors using the 280Z rear non-ventilated rotors to give about 2" more brake diameter, and increasing track slightly.

Most of us that have the 280ZX upgrade essentially have the whole suspension from the 280ZX. Parts you will have to fabricate are a dust cover and a caliper mounting bracket. Additionally if you still plan to use a 13" wheel the ZX caliper will need to be milled down. The top of the caliper (outer edge) will rub against the inside of the rim. Also you'll need to run around a 6-8mm wheel spacer. The final piece of the puzzle is this will also throw off the brake balance, you need to go to the larger 13/16 wheel cylinders in the rear.

Do a search DDgonzal did a post on an easy brake upgrade, check it out as this may be a simplier option. The stock brakes are OK with the stock motor but beyond that they are kind of weak (at least on the track). Not sure what you're looking to accomplish but there may be better ways to get there. (brake fade? shorter stopping distance ?)

If you need to make up a caliper mounting plate I'd just got straight to using Wilwood calipers as they are fairly cheap and work quite well.

Tom

Thanks Tom


Quote:

"Do a search DDgonzal did a post on an easy brake upgrade, check it out as this may be a simplier option."

This is the one that I wanted, as it keeps the stock small struts,and requires no welding. It can't get any simpler than this:

http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawi ... title=280ZX_Brake_Upgrade

My only concern was the availablity of a dust shield or having to fabricate one.

GEE that's my conversion!

Correct on the 280ZX strut and brake swap.

I didn't realize this upgrade used 280ZX rear rotor as part of the swap, I thought the calipers were off a Sentra or something similar and new they fit 13" wheels which is a plus.

Is there a reason why you want or need the dust sheild?? Granted it's a race car but I run without them, but the wheels get washed off after most events.

Tom

You are really confusing me.

Doug, didn't you fit 280ZX rotors to stock Datsun 1200 struts?

For upgrading 1200 front brakes, there are two common ways:
* Modify 280ZX strut assembly and fit it to the 1200
* Keep the 1200 strut assembly and fit 280ZX rotors to it. You don't need a dust cover (although fitting one would help wear slightly, but not a lot different)

David, we started with 1985 200sx rear rotors (82-88 200sx) that we found at the U-Pull-It, and yes they are the same as 1982-83 zx rear rotors.I think you pointed out they were the same. The 240sx rotors cross drilled and slotted on Chick's car are amazing!! I found most 13" after market wheels work EXCEPT Western Wheel 8 spoke minilites-hit the calipers...Don't think Klotz has any brackets left and I doubt if he will make another run..it hard to convince 1200 guys that something so simple works!

Quote:


"Is there a reason why you want or need the dust sheild?? Granted it's a race car but I run without them, but the wheels get washed off after most events."

My car will be an everyday driver when finished. In everyday driving one doesn't know what they may encounter in various driving conditions. There is a reason why the factory uses them. Some race cars and certain street cars have actually modified the dust shield with ducting to cool the brakes.