Finally finished the BlehmCo Big Brake Kit!

**Matt93SE** · Jan 5th, 2004, 08:42 PM

Well guys, I finally finished it up.. brackets are done, it's on the car, test drive is done, everybody likey, etc etc etc.

Driving impressions are very positive. I drove it and Mike drove it (harder than I did) with me in the car.. we were both VERY pleased with the setup- great initial bite while cold, and we warmed everything up enough to tell that they'll work great later too. Didn't want to beat on it that hard because of the brand new rotors, but we were both very impressed.

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's the page on my website that explains what's in the kit: http://www.mattblehm.com/brakes.html

The pics on that page were from the first set of brackets that we made. didn't like the position well, so we messed around and found the only other way to make them fit without grinding on the car.

As is, this kit is a DIRECT bolt-on. no cutting, grinding, etc etc. It fits over the 5th gen dust shields, but I can't say anything for certain on the 3rd or 4th gens..

Here's the rest of the pics we took while installing the kit- as you can see it's easy to install, and there's no questions as to what part fits where.
Well guys, I finally finished it up.. brackets are done, it's on the car, test drive is done, everybody likey, etc etc etc.

Low Res Pics: http://www.mattblehm.com/mike/complete/ (Sorta 56k friendly.)
High Res Pics: http://www.mattblehm.com/mike/complete/high_res/ (dialups, don't even think about it!)

I'll let Mike post a few of his thoughts when he gets time, and please feel free to ask any questions you've got.

David, I AM working on the bracket for the OE 5th gen calipers also-- but I was stoopid and threw the prototype brackets away in a fit of garage cleaning rage.. I'm going to have to make new brackets, but I've got Mike scheduled to come back later this week and we'll tackle that one.

Tickwomp · Jan 6th, 2004, 01:16 AM

AWESOME JOB! thats incredible. i wish i had something like that for my car

kwd2kSE · Jan 6th, 2004, 02:17 AM

Yes, that's my car with the new BlehmCo Big Brake Kit on it. The kit is great!! Fit of all the components is excellent, quality of the work and the materials that go into the final product is top notch. My driving impressions: pedal feel is equal to the original brake system. Same pedal travel, a little firmer pedal. Even with the Wagner semi-metallic pads I decided to use for everyday use, initial cold bite and then hot bite(after multiple 70/60 mph to 20 mph fast slowdowns) are both very good. Gone is the fade when the brakes have been used pretty heavy and the pads were good and hot. Gone, thank goodness, is the fear that I was going to warp the stock rotors AGAIN if I tried to stop too quick.

And, to me, since how a product looks on the car is just as important as how it performs, I couldn't be more pleased. The bigger rotors and the candy cherry red two stage powdercoated calipers look just AWESOME behind the Volks!! Pictures do not do these beauties justice. Will post better side shots of the car on Wednesday-it was almost dark when we finished today.

For those who want details, here's the parts that are on the car:
Custom fabricated brackets and all hardware to bolt them up.
12.6" diameter, 28mm thick, 2004 Maxima rotors.
Goodrich stainless steel brake lines, front and rear.
1991 Nissan 300ZX TT aluminum 4 piston calipers.
Wagner semi-metallic brake pads for everyday use.

Matt can talk about the technical parts of this install, but a few important points from my perspective. The factory dust shields are still used, no grinding control arms, no wheel spacers, no wierd offset wheels, and the rotors are straight bolt on out of the box. My 17x8 +40 offset Konig Tantrum wheels clear this setup too.

And last but not least, thanks Matt. This was a very time consuming, and at times a very trying project to pull together, but the results are well worth it. It looks GREAT!!!

Mike Hill
Vice-president and Treasurer
HNE

**HNE** · Jan 6th, 2004, 02:33 PM

Yeah Matt. I am fourth Gen though. It should be identical to the 2k and 2k1 5th gen brakes however. They didn't change the brakes til 2k2. I fyou need a fourth gen to test fit a few, let me know.

David

**Matt93SE** · Jan 6th, 2004, 04:35 PM

The OE 4th gen calipers won't work. 3rd and 4th gen brakes are the same (same part #s from nissan even), but the 5th gen are larger.
............

just measured a 3rd gen caliper. 27.8mm clearance for the rotor. the 2004 rotors are 28mm. No fit.

BUT.. you can go with 5th gen calipers and do the swap, or you can buy the whole 2004 Max brake setup from a junkyard and then just drill the holes on your spindle for the larger bolts (they use 14mm bolts. 3,4gen use 12mm) and it's a bolt-on.

azkicker0027 · Jan 6th, 2004, 08:21 PM

that's gi-normous

Chuck · Jan 7th, 2004, 12:16 AM

Hey... what size are those brackets.. they almost look exactly like they will bolt on the 200sx hub.. if i could get a set of those, or borrow, or give me measurements of those... shit, i know alot of 200sx owners who would love a 12.5" brake upgrade

**Matt93SE** · Jan 7th, 2004, 01:11 AM

AFAIK, all of the FWD Nissans use the same brake geometry..
there will be some issues with bolt hole sizing (3rd and 4th gen Maximas and the Z32 all use 12mm bolts. the 2000+ Maximas all use 14mm bolts)..
but the bracket should work for you too- you'll have to drill the hole pattern on the rotor to a 4-lug though.

I've got a 2nd gen MAx guy that wants to try them too.

anybody got a 200SX with a 5-lug conversion that will be willing to try these on?

Tickwomp · Jan 7th, 2004, 02:27 AM

Damit, i want first tries on the 4 lug

Chuck · Jan 7th, 2004, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tickwomp

Damit, i want first tries on the 4 lug

well.. im thinking of like.. getting a Z32 front brake spindle, and hub, and all that good stuff. seeing if i bolts up correctly, and then test the axle fitting.. and THen, i'd just have a 5 lug up front.. might as well find a solid rear axle with 5 lug brakes.. 240 anyone?.. hmm.. maybe if i ever get massive amount of money..

azkicker0027 · Jan 7th, 2004, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck

well.. im thinking of like.. getting a Z32 front brake spindle, and hub, and all that good stuff. seeing if i bolts up correctly, and then test the axle fitting.. and THen, i'd just have a 5 lug up front.. might as well find a solid rear axle with 5 lug brakes.. 240 anyone?.. hmm.. maybe if i ever get massive amount of money..

hold up z32 being 300zx tt right?? isn't it rwd, where in the b14 is fwd, so if ever you do the transplant, where would the halfshaft go through???

Chuck · Jan 7th, 2004, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azkicker0027

hold up z32 being 300zx tt right?? isn't it rwd, where in the b14 is fwd, so if ever you do the transplant, where would the halfshaft go through???

...yes

**Matt93SE** · Jan 8th, 2004, 12:33 AM

you'd need to get the spindles from a FWD car... the only 5 lug FWD I know of is the Maxima and new Altimas...

probably be easiest to just buy new wheel hubs and bearings from a Maxima and press them into your spindles.