EOI: Titanium Brake Shims for OEM Akebono (Sport) Brakes

Aust350z · 12-22-2009, 09:02 PM

Guys,

After coming across this...

after a track session with the Akebono brakes I've been thinking that to keep heat out of the caliper could be through Titanium brake shims.

Version for the OEM 350Z/G35 Bembos:

Quote:

Made of 1mm thick titanium, these are a simple and effective way of keeping heat in the rotor where it belongs, and away from the seals in the caliper, as well as away from the fluid. This leads to increased component life (you track guys know how finicky the stock seals can be!), and more consistent performance. Sold in sets of 4 (enough for your front calipers).

Titanium is a poor conductor of heat and relatively lightweight given its strength. It is an ideal substance to use for this application.

Z1Auto (manufacturer of the above shims) will consider making these for the Akebono brakes if there is sufficient demand. Therefore, I'm posting this on G37/370Z related webistes to gauge interest only.

I'm doing the Akebono upgrade on my 350Z and hope that a product like this will assist other 350Z/370Z/G37 owners.

Aust350z · 12-22-2009, 09:13 PM

Rough pricing would be around US$100 (the 350Z Brembo versions goes for that price) depending on the amount of material required. That is for 4 to do the front.

Rears can also be done for similar price I believe.

import111 · 12-22-2009, 09:18 PM

Titanium shims helped on my 05 STi a little bit. If I ever had brake issues with the 370Z on track I would do this mod. So far my brakes have been great though.

corner3garage · 12-23-2009, 07:14 PM

I think proper ducting of the brakes would do more good than titanium shims. IMHO. Not trying to talk down on titanium shims or anything but I just dont think it would do that much. The titanium shims are just too small to prevent that much heat transfer.

Aust350z · 12-31-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corner3garage

I think proper ducting of the brakes would do more good than titanium shims. IMHO. Not trying to talk down on titanium shims or anything but I just dont think it would do that much. The titanium shims are just too small to prevent that much heat transfer.

I would agree that ducting would help also but every little bit helps. This is also much easier to install.

Island_370 · 12-31-2009, 07:38 PM

For my old Alcon 6 pots, I made 2 sets for under $20 and an hour in my garage. I noticed an advantage.

I bought a sheet of Ti from eBay, then traced the pads on the sheet and cut it with my air powered cutting tool. Fine trimming with the dremel.

The sheet was cheap because the corners were bent and would not feed into a machine. I used them for 3 seasons. They do change into cool colors. 8-)

Aust350z · 01-07-2010, 09:48 PM

Unfortunately I don't have the skills (or tools) to be able to do something like this myself.

wishihadnav · 05-18-2010, 04:22 PM

bump!!..i want some ti shims..

Guard Dad · 12-16-2011, 02:46 AM

I just stumbled onto the hardbrakes.com web site and they have a titanium thermal isolating shim listing for the Z. Lots of info on the site. Looks promising. Unless it's just a scam it seems like it would be a worthwhile improvement considering all of the issues our brakes suffer from. Any thoughtful comments would be appreciated.

cossie1600 · 12-16-2011, 01:42 PM

Just get a set from the regular brakes, you are fine

DJ-of-E · 12-16-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Just get a set from the regular brakes, you are fine

? The regular shims or ti shims for regular brakes?

cossie1600 · 12-16-2011, 03:56 PM

off the sport package

Guard Dad · 12-16-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Just get a set from the regular brakes, you are fine

I'm confused. Are you saying that the shims/spacers on the sport package pads are titanium already? That would be a bit of a surprise.

The reason for titanium is to provide superior (to the typical steel or aluminum shims) thermal isolation between the pads and the calipers. Right off hand are there any standard pads for the Z that come with titanium shims/spacers?

MagnumPI · 02-09-2012, 02:43 AM

I just read about these after reading the Car and Driver review of the disaster they experienced with the 370Z NISMO at the track in 2010. I can't imagine that these thin titanium shims could prevent or slow heat transfer to the calipers. I would have to see some test results before I would spend the $200.

View Poll Results: Are you interested in Titamium shims for Akebono brakes?
Yes	7	53.85%
No	6	46.15%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

12-23-2009, 07:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
corner3garage The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 9,879 Drives: 240sx, 350z, 370z Rep Power: 35	I think proper ducting of the brakes would do more good than titanium shims. IMHO. Not trying to talk down on titanium shims or anything but I just dont think it would do that much. The titanium shims are just too small to prevent that much heat transfer. __________________ Corner3motorsports.com

12-31-2009, 07:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Island_370 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 228 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z SR M6 Rep Power: 16	For my old Alcon 6 pots, I made 2 sets for under $20 and an hour in my garage. I noticed an advantage. I bought a sheet of Ti from eBay, then traced the pads on the sheet and cut it with my air powered cutting tool. Fine trimming with the dremel. The sheet was cheap because the corners were bent and would not feed into a machine. I used them for 3 seasons. They do change into cool colors. 8-) __________________ Autobahn Country Club (North and South Tracks), Blackhawk Farms, Grattan, Gingerman, Mid-Ohio, Putnam Park, Road America, Sears Point, Thunderhill, VIR and "The Ring"

12-16-2011, 02:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
Guard Dad Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Orange County, CA Posts: 422 Drives: 2010 370Z Silver A7 Rep Power: 15	I just stumbled onto the hardbrakes.com web site and they have a titanium thermal isolating shim listing for the Z. Lots of info on the site. Looks promising. Unless it's just a scam it seems like it would be a worthwhile improvement considering all of the issues our brakes suffer from. Any thoughtful comments would be appreciated. Last edited by Guard Dad; 12-16-2011 at 02:52 AM.

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12-22-2009, 09:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aust350z Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4 Drives: 03 Nissan 350Z Rep Power: 16	Rough pricing would be around US$100 (the 350Z Brembo versions goes for that price) depending on the amount of material required. That is for 4 to do the front. Rears can also be done for similar price I believe.

12-22-2009, 09:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
import111 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 622 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 191	Titanium shims helped on my 05 STi a little bit. If I ever had brake issues with the 370Z on track I would do this mod. So far my brakes have been great though.

01-07-2010, 09:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aust350z Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4 Drives: 03 Nissan 350Z Rep Power: 16	Unfortunately I don't have the skills (or tools) to be able to do something like this myself.

05-18-2010, 04:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
wishihadnav A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 90090 Posts: 1,851 Drives: Force Fed Nismo Rep Power: 184	bump!!..i want some ti shims..

12-16-2011, 01:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	Just get a set from the regular brakes, you are fine

12-16-2011, 03:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	off the sport package

02-09-2012, 02:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
MagnumPI Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hilo, Hawaii Posts: 25 Drives: 09 370Z Pearl sport Rep Power: 14	I just read about these after reading the Car and Driver review of the disaster they experienced with the 370Z NISMO at the track in 2010. I can't imagine that these thin titanium shims could prevent or slow heat transfer to the calipers. I would have to see some test results before I would spend the $200.