Base Brake Upgrade Question

chopin_guy88

So I'm just purchased a set of Avant Garde M550 wheels to put on my 2015 base Z. I'm thinking I'd like to do a little brake upgrade in the not to distant future as well.

I'm look at going with a set of R1 Concepts Rotors and the SS lines from Z1 Motors along with new fluid and pads.

Question is, will my Nissan dealer install this or will I have to take it somewhere else? Also, I would think this is a pretty straight forward install that doesn't require a lot of labor hours?

Thanks so much for the help...

Array

The dealer in my area refuses to do aftermarket parts, depends if they want too. Brakes shouldn't be an issue, only way to know for sure is to ask them

Doing the full 9 yards on all 4 wheels can in some cases be time consuming depending who performs

__________________
2012 370z 7AT- ES2 with PSS, K&N Drop-ins, LED's all around, Berk HFC, FI CBE non-res, KW V1's
2003 A4 5MT- The Beater

chopin_guy88

Yeah probably true -- I will see. Wheels and this are only mods I plan to make to the car...

Array

I imagine they will be OK with brakes and wheels, once breather mods or engine mods come into play they are reluctant to do so

__________________
2012 370z 7AT- ES2 with PSS, K&N Drop-ins, LED's all around, Berk HFC, FI CBE non-res, KW V1's
2003 A4 5MT- The Beater

chopin_guy88

Interestingly, when I took the car in for the first oil change my service rep was the one who handles all the 370Zs and GTRs. He mentioned to me off hand 'let me know if you ever want to look into bolt on kits and performance parts'. So something tells me they might do work at the dealership. I'll call and see -- just don't want to pay through the nose for labor...

chopin_guy88

So I've been considering my brake upgrade options more and was starting to lean toward doing the full Akebono kit upgrade. But is it really worth it for only street driving around Houston? I have no plans to track the car.

Now aesthetics aside, as the Akebonos definitely look better than the base 370 brakes, but would it be worth it if it's only a street car?

Or will rotor, pad, and SS lines be a sufficient upgrade?

NORAIN

If you're not tracking your Z, I wouldn't bother with rotors or SS lines. Pads would be all I would change and only if you need them. You shouldn't need pads yet either...
Spend the money on some Swift Springs or something that will make your Z look better. If you're not tracking, the Z is set up plenty good for the street.

__________________
Swift Springs|265-305 RE-11|Forgestar F14|F.I. TDX S.S. 12" Res."Milled Out"|K&N|SPL|Z1(34 row)oil cooler|Z1 brake upgrade|Hotchkis Zspeed|Team Voodoo|HPDEjunkie.com

chopin_guy88

Thank you for the feedback -- I was figuring going with Akebonos would be purely cosmetic.

I wish I could do springs and such -- but can barely get in and out of my steep driveway as it is. I was seriously considering it, but then you have to get into camber arms and everything as well...

NORAIN

I hear ya bro... I have to put 2"x6"'s in the gutter to get in and out of my driveway. And yes there are a few other things that go with the springs. Rear camber links (get SPL...), toe bolts, and lock out bolts, all together around $300 plus springs and alignment. The front ends up around -1.5ish with the OEM arms, which to me isn't too bad on tires if you go Dead Zero toe...2 cents.

__________________
Swift Springs|265-305 RE-11|Forgestar F14|F.I. TDX S.S. 12" Res."Milled Out"|K&N|SPL|Z1(34 row)oil cooler|Z1 brake upgrade|Hotchkis Zspeed|Team Voodoo|HPDEjunkie.com

chopin_guy88

This is derailing from the brake topic, but what if I did something like the Nismo spring and shock package? That only lowers the car 0.4" -- would I still need to do camber arms and all in that case?

NORAIN

Maybe not. That's a fairly minor drop which may leave enough adjustment in there rear to do without camber links. Maybe just some toe bolts will do the trick, you might not even need them. I ran with Swifts and no camber kits for almost a year without excessive tire wear. Bad toe settings wear tires more than camber from what I've seen and read. I wish I could tell you for sure... maybe someone will chime in.

__________________
Swift Springs|265-305 RE-11|Forgestar F14|F.I. TDX S.S. 12" Res."Milled Out"|K&N|SPL|Z1(34 row)oil cooler|Z1 brake upgrade|Hotchkis Zspeed|Team Voodoo|HPDEjunkie.com