Akebono brake upgrade on a dd street only car...? Idk

ddvette9 · 12-15-2011, 09:44 AM

Ive set aside some money intending for upgrading my brakes. But damn 2k for parts and install for a car that will never see the track or drag strip. It hurts. That 2k could go towards finishing paying off the car or something else but I've convinced myself on the brakes partially. Can I be wrong about a huge dd stopping advantage or is this a strictly aesthetic upgrade. I AM TIRED OF LOOKING AT MY CALIPERS AND UGLY ROTORS AS THEY HAVE BEEN CUT LIKE 3 times, but still, should I suck up the 2k and be happy I have a car and be happy with the stock brakes.....I know, so many factors but wanted to talk with people who may be in similar grey areas or who made the switch and have been very very happy with the upgrade both look and feel. Just not sure if it will be pure looks and aesthetics for my car or not. Thanks guys and gals

Red__Zed · 12-15-2011, 09:52 AM

The question to ask would be, what benefit do you expect to get from them?

ChrisSlicks · 12-15-2011, 10:03 AM

As a daily driver you shouldn't expect much of a difference. Brake feel might be a tiny bit better, stopping distances will be pretty damn close to the same (traction limited). So yes, from the daily driver perspective the upgrade is mostly cosmetic.

Have you considered buying a used set of sport brakes in good condition? BTW the sport rotors are slightly bigger but look exactly the same (plain).

ddvette9 · 12-15-2011, 10:14 AM

I'm really in the game for the calipers, they kill the non sport calipers. The market is slim for just calipers. Paired with slotted rotors and damn the brake set up could be nice with my aftermarket wheels

dAvenue · 12-15-2011, 10:24 AM

I purchased a base model, like you, and upgraded to the sport calipers with slotted rotors. The wittle bitty brakes were driving me bananas. But I was in a different situation, honestly, because I didn't have a car note. If I were you, I would be inclined to throw that money at the principal instead of upgrades. I don't know, man. It would also be nice to get rid of the eye sore. It sounds like you want to do the upgrade. Either way, I think you will be happy with your decision.

corbin09 · 12-15-2011, 10:34 AM

I did the upgrade... I got mine for free though.. My girlfriend rocks! Honestly in the feel you will not notice a difference, and stopping power seems to be around the same.

ddvette9 · 12-15-2011, 10:53 AM

Finally some good non flaming responses, and on topic responses. Thanks a lot. Yea my base calipers are painted but my rotors are terribly warped. Again, driving to and from places in the city is more than fine. But who knows I'll figure it out I guess

Also very surprised to learn that those who already did the upgrade I'm thinking of didn't notice a performance advantage..hmm

Mike · 12-15-2011, 02:50 PM

Like noted above, its going to be a mostly visual upgrade. Put the money towards paying the car off would be smartest.

vividracing · 12-15-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Like noted above, its going to be a mostly visual upgrade. Put the money towards paying the car off would be smartest.

Pay towards your loan. Once the loan is paid off, buy OEM Brembo calipers. The Akebonos are pretty heavy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddvette9

Finally some good non flaming responses, and on topic responses. Thanks a lot. Yea my base calipers are painted but my rotors are terribly warped. Again, driving to and from places in the city is more than fine. But who knows I'll figure it out I guess

Also very surprised to learn that those who already did the upgrade I'm thinking of didn't notice a performance advantage..hmm

The best brake in the world are only as good as the tires. Also, a BBK does NOT make you stop better until things get hot. A BBK for anything besides a track car is totally overkill.

b1adesofcha0s · 12-15-2011, 03:47 PM

So they wouldn't really help much for autoX or some light track duty? I was planning on doing the akebono upgrade as well eventually. Haven't done anything more than autoX so far, but I would like to take it out to a road course a couple times after I get an oil cooler.

Mike · 12-15-2011, 05:01 PM

For a road course, entry level, they would be a great upgrade.

kenchan · 12-15-2011, 05:14 PM

op- here's the answer for you.

2 Pcs Vehicle Auto Plastic Brake Caliper Cover Kit Blk | eBay

even comes in other colors...

ddvette9 · 12-15-2011, 05:18 PM

Kenchan ^^^ I always see those in the back of car and driver mags and on eBay, always thought they were real generic for American made cars. Will this it ours?

cossie1600 · 12-15-2011, 05:20 PM

lol

Mike · 12-15-2011, 05:29 PM

I can't tell you the number of corvette customers who just decide to go with my powdercoating after buying that crap and seeing how cheap it is.

12-15-2011, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 17	Akebono brake upgrade on a dd street only car...? Idk Ive set aside some money intending for upgrading my brakes. But damn 2k for parts and install for a car that will never see the track or drag strip. It hurts. That 2k could go towards finishing paying off the car or something else but I've convinced myself on the brakes partially. Can I be wrong about a huge dd stopping advantage or is this a strictly aesthetic upgrade. I AM TIRED OF LOOKING AT MY CALIPERS AND UGLY ROTORS AS THEY HAVE BEEN CUT LIKE 3 times, but still, should I suck up the 2k and be happy I have a car and be happy with the stock brakes.....I know, so many factors but wanted to talk with people who may be in similar grey areas or who made the switch and have been very very happy with the upgrade both look and feel. Just not sure if it will be pure looks and aesthetics for my car or not. Thanks guys and gals

12-15-2011, 10:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	As a daily driver you shouldn't expect much of a difference. Brake feel might be a tiny bit better, stopping distances will be pretty damn close to the same (traction limited). So yes, from the daily driver perspective the upgrade is mostly cosmetic. Have you considered buying a used set of sport brakes in good condition? BTW the sport rotors are slightly bigger but look exactly the same (plain). __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

12-15-2011, 10:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
dAvenue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: present Posts: 1,971 Drives: angry Rep Power: 49	I purchased a base model, like you, and upgraded to the sport calipers with slotted rotors. The wittle bitty brakes were driving me bananas. But I was in a different situation, honestly, because I didn't have a car note. If I were you, I would be inclined to throw that money at the principal instead of upgrades. I don't know, man. It would also be nice to get rid of the eye sore. It sounds like you want to do the upgrade. Either way, I think you will be happy with your decision. __________________ Takeda \| Stillen \| Z1 \| Invidia \| Mishimoto \| CSF \| Megan Racing \| Koni \| Eibach \| SPC \| Forgestar \| Seibon

12-15-2011, 10:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 17	Finally some good non flaming responses, and on topic responses. Thanks a lot. Yea my base calipers are painted but my rotors are terribly warped. Again, driving to and from places in the city is more than fine. But who knows I'll figure it out I guess Also very surprised to learn that those who already did the upgrade I'm thinking of didn't notice a performance advantage..hmm Last edited by ddvette9; 12-15-2011 at 11:40 AM.

12-15-2011, 02:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	Like noted above, its going to be a mostly visual upgrade. Put the money towards paying the car off would be smartest. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

12-15-2011, 09:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	The question to ask would be, what benefit do you expect to get from them?

12-15-2011, 10:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 17	I'm really in the game for the calipers, they kill the non sport calipers. The market is slim for just calipers. Paired with slotted rotors and damn the brake set up could be nice with my aftermarket wheels

12-15-2011, 10:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
corbin09 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas tx Posts: 665 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 280	I did the upgrade... I got mine for free though.. My girlfriend rocks! Honestly in the feel you will not notice a difference, and stopping power seems to be around the same.

12-15-2011, 03:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 141	So they wouldn't really help much for autoX or some light track duty? I was planning on doing the akebono upgrade as well eventually. Haven't done anything more than autoX so far, but I would like to take it out to a road course a couple times after I get an oil cooler. __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

12-15-2011, 05:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	For a road course, entry level, they would be a great upgrade. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

12-15-2011, 05:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	op- here's the answer for you. 2 Pcs Vehicle Auto Plastic Brake Caliper Cover Kit Blk \| eBay even comes in other colors...

12-15-2011, 05:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 17	Kenchan ^^^ I always see those in the back of car and driver mags and on eBay, always thought they were real generic for American made cars. Will this it ours?

12-15-2011, 05:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	lol

12-15-2011, 05:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	I can't tell you the number of corvette customers who just decide to go with my powdercoating after buying that crap and seeing how cheap it is. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

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