[Roadsters] Brakes (was: FLAPS....was Slave Cylinder)

[Jerry Krakauer]

Although I haven't driven my roadster since the mid 70's, I always thought
the brakes were very good in competition. The SCCA GCR's were much stricter
back then and there wasn't much you could change, other that the pads and
ducting for air. I used Ferodo DS11 racing pads and the Nissan competition
"green stuff" shoes in the rear.(although when cold you had a better chance
of stopping using your leg out the door!) Back then it was common for light
weight imports to use discs without power assist, and yes pedal pressure was
higher than we are used to today, but not that excessive. As a matter of
fact, the lack of sensitivity made it easier to heal and toe. I don't recall
ever having appreciable fade in a race although I did lose the brakes once
by boiling the fluid. BTW, the Dunlop/Sumitomo calipers are the same model
used on the series 1 XKE, with a 1/8" smaller bore, the pads are
interchangeable.

Jerry Krakauer
SRL311 00099

-----Original Message-----
From: datsun-roadsters-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:datsun-roadsters-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Pete Peters
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 3:06 PM
To: Datsun Roadster List
Subject: Re: [Roadsters] Brakes (was: FLAPS....was Slave Cylinder)

I had planned to do the original Volvo conversion several years ago. Then
someone did a cost analysis, and it was almost a wash compared to
replacing/repairing the OEM parts. Additionally, not a single user who
converted said the braking had improved significantly over stock (Note: I'm
sure there's a number of folks who converted who have never responded).

I then lucked into a deal on slightly used OEM parts from someone who had
done the 300ZX brake conversion. I thought the stock brakes were great the
few times I drove before killing the car. Granted, that was normal
street/highway use, no auto-crossing, etc.

That said, opinions/reality on cost and/or performance may no longer apply
with the recent Volvo Brake conversion using the vented rotor.


Pete

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John F Sandhoff" <sandhoff at csus.edu> 
To: datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net 
Sent: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 5:17:31 PM 
Subject: [Roadsters] Brakes (was: FLAPS....was Slave Cylinder) 

[snip] 

If all the parts are good, the brakes are great. If major parts need
replacement, I imagine it's a cost savings to do the Volvo (or another)
swap. 
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