DreamZproject Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 Hey guys, the Hilux brake conversion seems like a bloody good idea to me and i think it will be one of the things that I do to the car before it's all up and running. I like to gather my parts nice and early because it means less waiting around later, and often yields better value. Gav posted this link up on the ebay sales page and I was just wondering, could there possibly be anything fundamentally wrong with these calipers? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toyota-Hilux-4runner-brake-upgrade-solid-rotor-calipers-S18-2-240z-260z-rover-/121295333903?clk_rvr_id=612008954525 I realise that they will need a rebuild, but do calipers themselves ever wear out to the point where you just have to buy new ones, or are they pretty hardy normally and just need an occasional rebuild? From the sound of it these seem to be a good deal... Quote
44014 Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 Almost no point unless you get the vented rotors and those calipers are for solid rotors. Quote
260Coupe Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 Get the stock brakes working properly..........cast iron Hilux calipers weigh a ton, increase unsprung weight and once hot- take longer to cool. Talk to any group Sc zed driver who races on stock brakes...........my 2c Al. Quote
Agno Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 I run those calipers with stock discs, r31 rears and a 15/16ths master cylinder. Pedal feel is great and I'm yet to run out of pedal at the track Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted March 31, 2014 Administrators Posted March 31, 2014 To answer your query yes callipers can fubar themselves. If the bore / piston has significant wear you'll need new calipers. I heard the same as Alan though these are quite heavy and increase unsprung weight. If you weigh up cost of doing these with say a set of Wilwoods these might not be such great value. I've driven a Z with them and they do pull up better but I never pushed them and you do feel the additional weight in the front end. Quote
pauly_adams Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 I have them on my 260 2+2 and I would not go back, the braking difference is enormous, you will not go back Quote
DreamZproject Posted March 31, 2014 Author Posted March 31, 2014 Hmmm once again great info, my concern with Wilwoods is the engineering problem (I know some people have got them passed, and others not). So I guess I'm after a different caliper so i can use the vented s13 rotors, how do identify the vented/ non vented calipers? What sort of weight gain are we talking about here? I highly value the feeling of nice brakes (like in my MR2) and I have heard from many knowledgeable people on this forum that they are a good conversion. (I'd also be keen to do a rear disk swap and I've heard that this is a good balance for this). More thoughts? Quote
nizm0zed Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 bear in mind that the S13 rotor isnt a direct bolt on job. You need to enlarge the centre hub hole, redrill the mounting holes and turn down the outside diameter. You either need a lathe (or access to one) or you need to factor the costs of paying a workshop to do it for you. That will need to be done EVERY time you replace the rotors. Makes the Willwoods sound a bit better huh... Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted March 31, 2014 Administrators Posted March 31, 2014 Many years ago I bought a set of these callipers but after looking into it further didn't do the conversion. They pull up well because they are designed for a 4x4. But there are too many other trade offs in my opinion like the weight in the front end. You can improve stock brakes with a good rebuild, brake fluid and bleed and appropriate pads. But long term I'd invest in something like Wiwoods or some alloy callipers from a 300zx, Skyline or Rx7 for example. Quote
DreamZproject Posted April 1, 2014 Author Posted April 1, 2014 I didn't realise that the 300zx brakes could be fitted... I'll look into more about getting wilwoods engineered. Ok I'll hold off on these for a bit, it seems as though I need a bit more information... Thanks guys. Quote
Retro Z Posted April 1, 2014 Posted April 1, 2014 In my opinion the added weight is negligible. Go coilover sleeves with the smaller springs and you would negative out the added weight. To me the benefits outweighs the negatives. Wilwoods or 300zx calipers may be lighter but then the adapter would make up the weight difference as Hilux calipers bolt right on to stock struts with no adaptors. The vented calipers are stamped S12W and has a bigger gap in the middle, and has a stripy patterned face ,while non vented is stamp s12+8 with a smooth face. Attached is a pic of what my vented calipers look like. Quote
d3c0y Posted April 1, 2014 Posted April 1, 2014 The vented calipers are stamped S12W and has a bigger gap in the middle, and has a stripy patterned face ,while non vented is stamp s12+8 with a smooth face. This is not entirely correct, S12+8 come in vented and solid rotor models. You can get away with using the vented S12+8 on a solid rotor too, but all this is discussed in the hilux caliper sticky... Quote
Agno Posted April 1, 2014 Posted April 1, 2014 Yep it is. I have solid rotors under S12+8 vented calipers and some TP Magna discs in the toolbox for when I wear out the current discs! Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted April 2, 2014 Administrators Posted April 2, 2014 Seems this post is also relevant. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,7975.msg76380.html#msg76380 Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted April 2, 2014 Administrators Posted April 2, 2014 Dimitri told me his Z is running Mitsubishi 3000GT discs and R33 GTS-T calipers. Apparently a guy named Chris Wood has made a bolt on kit for the early Z. I'd be looking at something like that if you're worried about engineering the Wilwood's. FWIW I recall holding the Toyota 4 pots in my hand and thinking they were very heavy. Compared with an alloy caliper it's night and day difference in weight and if you're going to the expense and hassle of doing a brake swap you may as well go for the lighter unsprung weight - not just sheer stopping power. I know the standard calipers are cast iron heavy also but if you can get that weight down it's a huge benefit in my opinion. Quote
Retro Z Posted April 2, 2014 Posted April 2, 2014 This is not entirely correct, S12+8 come in vented and solid rotor models. You can get away with using the vented S12+8 on a solid rotor too, but all this is discussed in the hilux caliper sticky... My mistake. It seems the s12w is an upgraded version of the s12+8 with 4 large pistons rather than 2 big 2 small of the s12+8 but is also slightly heavier with loss of wheel clearance according to this link. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php?topic=7600.0 Silvermine motorsports also use the s12+8 as their stage 3 kit while s12w is a stage 4. Quote
d3c0y Posted April 2, 2014 Posted April 2, 2014 S12W calipers are very similar looking to a 4 piston MK IV supra caliper too. Quote
Retro Z Posted April 2, 2014 Posted April 2, 2014 Here's a link to more info which may help people on which Hilux calipers to go Http://drivendaily.org/s30-toyota-brake-upgrades/ Quote
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