Z32 F&R caliper conversion...

:spin::spin::spin::spin:

ATTENTION: Before you post about how this is a downgrade or non-beneficial, please PM me if you feel the need to. This is in no way a down grade but I wouldn't consider it a significant upgrade. I am doing this to get the fixed caliper pedal feel and partial aesthetics. I've been around these brake conversions on many platforms and they are very nice calipers.

So I saw the other thread about the KNS adapters a long time ago and got the bright idea to do the switch. My other car just happens to be a z32 and I had another set of calipers from one of the many of Z's I've built. After much debate, I pulled the trigger on some new pads, rebuild kits, KNS adapters and some 06-07 WRX rear backing plates.

 

I tried to do as much research as possible on the back plates. We share the same rotor, rear parking brake ect. but we use a bolt on wheel bearing instead of the hub bearing on impreza chassis'. I know the z32 calipers sit a bit higher so the mount holes on the back plate will need to be re-drilled and filled. Honestly, I'm not sure if it's going to work as I don't think its been done before. I hope I didn't just waste $160...

 

So far the parts list is as follows:

 

• DBA F&R T2 rotors
  
• Stoptech F&R pads
  
• KNS adapters
  
• Z32 30mm Front aluminum calipers
  
• Z32 rear calipers
  
• Caliper rebuild kits
  
• 06-07 WRX Rear brake backing plates
  

Before paint:

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=162027&d=1378229945

 

http://i54.tinypic.com/11qsu2a.jpg

 

After:

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163481&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163482&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163483&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163484&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163485&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163486&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

 

 

Today (9/19) I have found the first problem... wheel clearance. My volks don't clear brembos so I should have known these would be a problem. I test fit the calipers today with about 10mm worth of spacers so it looks like I need to order some extended studs and some spacers. I was REALLY trying not to ever roll the fenders in this car but looks like I going to have to and maybe pull some? Any suggestions here from you low guys?

 

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163487&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163488&stc=1&d=1379631059

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=163489&stc=1&d=1379631059

Reserved

so you know about this thread, right? http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/kns-z32-brake-conversion-212448.html

so you know about this thread, right? http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/kns-z32-brake-conversion-212448.html

 

I do. I have been toying with this idea since May though. I figured I would start a thread that would catalogue the install and hiccups for anyone who was interested in the initial thread.

This is worth it even if it's just for the ease of brake pad changes

Update: I went ahead and ordered a new wheel bearing from Infamous to replace my aftermarket brand one and hopefully fix my cruise issue. Also ordered some 10 and 15mm spacers to clear the brakes along with Nismo 60mm studs, Project Kics R40's and new front caliper hardware. Should have everthing to complete the install on Saturday.

The calipers certainly look very nice. Curious to see and hear exactly how they work out.

 

Subscribed.

Not a huge update but I did a bit more work today. I had a spare set of brembo decals I planned to use on a set of brembo calipers a while ago so I figured i would try them on these to see how it looks... not too bad. The calipers were looking odd without anything on them.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=164115&stc=1&d=1380241143

 

Unfortunately I walked into the garage to find out that someone had knocked one of the rear calipers off the bench onto the cement. I threw a couple coats of paint back on it to cover the huge chip but its not looking so hot. On a brighter note, I went ahead and pressed in the new studs into the new bearings with the table vise. I'm not a believer in hammering them out and drawing new ones in with a lug...

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=164114&stc=1&d=1380241143

 

I also went ahead and removed the brass insert these calipers have in them for the hard brake lines. For those of you not familiar with this, the Z32 uses hard/fixed, flare brake lines vs. the banjo style Subaru's use. In order to use the banjo bolt in the Z caliper, these brass flares must be removed from the caliper line port. I used a small drill bit to back them out (they don't screw in, they are just pushed in so all you need to do is pull it out). Then clean out any shavings you may have left behind.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=164113&stc=1&d=1380241143

 

The rear back plates and spacers should be here tomorrow and the complete install should be finished Saturday.

Fronts are done. The rear backing plates didn't work; I figured they wouldn't but wanted to try. I am debating on just having them machined to fit the rear hubs (widening the center opening 2mm's and redrilling the mounting holes)

 

First impression... Much different pedal feel. For some reason the stock brakes always had a squishy pedal no matter how much they were bled. These provide a very firm pedal that seems a bit more "controllable"

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=164428&stc=1&d=1380629934

Nice work looks good.

Yeah dude, looks good...call me funny but I would have left the nissan™ in there..just for the "wtf?" factor.

I half-assed looked for a thread for these, I understand z32 4/2's and fhi 4/2's are identical? I'm glad you added this thread..cool. I have a first gen that I wanted to do this to...and a 3rd gen lol.

Yeah dude, looks good...call me funny but I would have left the nissan™ in there..just for the "wtf?" factor.

I half-assed looked for a thread for these, I understand z32 4/2's and fhi 4/2's are identical? I'm glad you added this thread..cool. I have a first gen that I wanted to do this to...and a 3rd gen lol.

I thought about leaving the "nissan" on there but I needed to shave it for wheel clearance. Then I didn't like the blank look so I put on those decals and clear coated them again. I don't think they look too bad but they definitely feel better than the oem calipers.

I bet they do feel better than those floaties...I think they look great as well. Have you already done the ss lines and master cylinder stiffener? I only did ss lines in my bd and it was a world of difference with those crappy L brakes.

Yeah dude, looks good...call me funny but I would have left the nissan™ in there..just for the "wtf?" factor.

I half-assed looked for a thread for these, I understand z32 4/2's and fhi 4/2's are identical? I'm glad you added this thread..cool. I have a first gen that I wanted to do this to...and a 3rd gen lol.

 

The Z32 4/2/s and the FHI 4/2's are not identical, they do both use the same pad and look similar, but the mounting positions are different. Hense why when you install the front Z32 calipers onto the LGT you need a bracket.

 

And if you install the front FHI calipers on the LGT you do not need a bracket.

 

BUT.. One advantage of going with the Z32 calipers over the FHI calipers for the LGT is the fact that you get to use your stock 316mm caliper instead of the WRX 293mm rotor.

 

-Nick

Thanks Nick, they look so alike I figured a hd brake manufacturer whipped them up (not thread jacking you cone_killer)..but would that be typical of the brembos from an evo and from Sti be interchangeable? I know that with a bit machine work involved we could put lambo brakes fit on an lgt. You ever hear of anyone tackling that? I know of a set of each and some fhi 4/2's that are up for grabs bit of difference between prices though.

That is one well thought out mod.

 

The front calipers have a smaller piston - 40 vs 43 - but a bit larger effective radius (pad is narrower). Slight decrease in front brake torque. Rears are the same.

 

The result should be less front bias to reduce front nose dive when braking hard and a much better feeling pedal with a good sprung weight reduction (10 pounds? - A LOT since you have the AL Z32 calipers - good find!)

 

Not that anyone is racing an LGT - but this is not a substitute for a full race setup. Nor is it intended to be so.

 

For a heavy, fast street car that see's some hard braking - not shabby so far. I'm glad we did it.

 

The rear setup can be more easily accomplished w/ the bracket and Subaru calipers at a probably not much more cost unless you are quite handy. Either way - welcome to fixed calipers.

 

-Ken

^The weight difference between calipers is incredible. I'm determined to find a way to properly fit the rear calipers.

Figure out the rears yet?

So wait, the rears don't fit with KNS' brackets?

So wait, the rears don't fit with KNS' brackets?

 

?

 

There are no rear brackets