280z front brake upgrade or repair?

[cronoz78]

Decided to change the pads on the Z and found that the rubber protecting the piston had melted. The friction material has begun to separate from the metal. Overheated.
So either I change the calipers to the Toyota 4x4 or rebuild the originals. or go with a Wilwood set (worth the price?)

Regarding the Toyota 4x4 Calipers:
- Are they that much better than OEM?
- Can I keep my rotors?
- Do the OEM pads fit the Toyota calipers? Or I have to buy the specific ones for the Toyota caliper
- What do search for exactly at the parts shop? Apparently there are 2 different ones (one that allows for a vented disk as well) 1982 Toyota 4x4? There appears to be a few brands (all of which are rebuilt) Is one better than the other?

What else do I (might need)

Suggestions?
Thanks!

[dutchie3]

I would go with the set from arizona z car. if you are going to upgrade....it may seem overkill but they are not far off from what is on many modern sport sedans now. the toyota 'upgrade' requires mods just like the arizona kit but the willwood brakes just look so much better . There is a link or two on youtube explaining step by step what you need to do to install the arizona z car kit.

[vvise]

I have a fresh rebuilt set of front brakes. Did a full rebuild, cleanup, and even painted them last year. Then unexpectedly I ended up getting my hands on a used big brake kit for cheap so now they're laying around.

[Ont240]

Decided to change the pads on the Z and found that the rubber protecting the piston had melted. The friction material has begun to separate from the metal. Overheated.
So either I change the calipers to the Toyota 4x4 or rebuild the originals. or go with a Wilwood set (worth the price?)

Regarding the Toyota 4x4 Calipers:
- Are they that much better than OEM?
- Can I keep my rotors?
- Do the OEM pads fit the Toyota calipers? Or I have to buy the specific ones for the Toyota caliper
- What do search for exactly at the parts shop? Apparently there are 2 different ones (one that allows for a vented disk as well) 1982 Toyota 4x4? There appears to be a few brands (all of which are rebuilt) Is one better than the other?

What else do I (might need)

Suggestions?
Thanks!

HERE IT IS IN A NUT SHELL:
The dust seal on calipers is not critical if the vehicle is only used during the summer. Doing a track day will usually destroy them.
The Toyota non vented (79-85 4x4) use the toyota pad and bolt up directly to the stock Datsun rotor.
The Toyota vented (86-87 4x4) use the Toyota pad. Bolt up of the caliper requires a SS washer for spacing. The rotor used must come from a base US 1984-85 300ZX that has the 4 bolt pattern. Part #40206-03P02, and requires a hub to rotor spacer of .473" using 280ZX hubs.

The Arizona Z setup comes as a kit and bolts up easily, is far superior to the above, and as one might expect must be ordered for the hubs you are using, ie 240 is different than 280. A minimum of 15/16 master cylinder (280ZX) should be used.

You might want to check with Nigel on a setup he has put together using Canadian parts $ !!!

I used T 4x4 vented for many years doing autocross. At the track they were marginal.
The faster you go the more critical it becomes. I now have Arizona Z 4 piston on the front and ZX rear. Great on the street as well!
Hope this helps

[cronoz78]

Bringing this back from the dead I guess.
After purchasing the Silvermine toyota 4x4 kit I decided to stick with OEM set up since I have a basic street car. Doing this meant I dint have to worry about brake bias and set up ect. In the end I just got a remfd set and went to town on it with my powdercoating gun. The results IMO are excellent!
I appreciate everyone's opinions and info they provided.