As some of you know, I decided to go ahead and swap the stock front brakes with a set of Brembo Gran Turismo Big Brakes. When I ordered the brakes, we measured the clearance with the HFP wheels and based on the chart, they "should" have fit.

Well, they don't. It seems the clearances listed by Brembo are not exactly correct. Anyway, it seems we need to install an 8mm spacer between the wheel and the hub. This was done, but I felt (as did my mechanic) that there was too few threads remaining on the lug nut studs to feel comfortable. We did however, lower the car down with the wheels on and I must say, its looks awesome. I am really happy now that I went with the HFP suspension. Anymore drop and my wheels would probably rub with the spacers.

We decided to replace the lug nut studs with something longer. We are going to use extended studs in case I decided to track the car with slicks. Anyway, to replace the studs, we need to pull the hubs, which means replacing the wheels bearings and seals.

Bottom line, it has turned into a big project. So if anyone else is thinking about installing Brembo Big Brakes, keep in mind that the stock (factory regular or HFP) wheels are too shallow.

Once we finish the car I will take and post some pictures.




Modified by Hellzcivic at 5:07 PM 8/14/2007

 

Perhaps a different wheel design, or a different offset.

Bump for pics!

 

Offsets bad.

 

aren't those brakes like $2k+

 

That sucks hellz... and we were thinking they might fit behind the stock wheels... lol

are you thinking of buying another set of wheels?

 

Sell the rims and buy new ones that many be your best bet, or get longer studs if you can even find them.

 

Ok correct me if I am wrong but most will studs will come out with hub still in. I have broken studs at the track and changed them there with pb blaster and a hammer. What keeps these from being like that.

 

I dont know thats why i said it like that but maybe someone else knows... I have also changed studs at the track on my GSR and have seen poeple do them on many different cars so ya if i had to guess i would say it could be done but dont want to say something and be wrong

 

i called EVERYONE including spoon to discuss caliper clearance...

offset of a wheel and size is KEY in this.. ALSO alot of the guys running spoon calipers on the FG2 are using s2k brackets.

offset is the KEY factor.

 

Ok I was just asking. I have not looked at the hubs so I did not know if the design wass diff.

 

there really isn't any room with a +45 offset. get a set of wheels with a lower offset and all your problems will be solved. or you can stick to the extended lugs and the spacer.

im sure the spacer makes the wheel stance look a lot better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by reaper702 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">aren't those brakes like $2k+ </TD></TR></TABLE>

Brakes were $2,900 + Tax, plus my mechanics time which is still unknown (still working on the car, waiting for parts).

Includes:

6 Piston Calipers
Cross Drilled Rotors
Stainless Steel lines
Pads
High Temp Brake Fluid.

 

Maybe later. I really like the look of the HFP wheels and I have dumped all my disposable income from the last few months into the brakes. lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
i called EVERYONE including spoon to discuss caliper clearance...

offset of a wheel and size is KEY in this.. ALSO alot of the guys running spoon calipers on the FG2 are using s2k brackets.

offset is the KEY factor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, I agree Mike. When I bought the rims I was only considering brakes. Was not sure I was really going to do them because they were so expensive. When some extra cash came my way in July, I figured now was the time to do the brakes if I was going to do them.

I am going to start looking for some new wheels this weekend. At least now I know what offset to look for. I really like the HFP look, so I want to find something close.

It will be a while before I can buy new wheels and I want to make sure I can use the current tires. My mechanic tells me everything will be ok with the spacer, as long as we install extended studs. He said is should not add any extra stress or cause anything to deteriorate any quicker.

The car does look better with the wheels closer to the fender. It makes the gap look smaller.

Many of you mentioned that the hub does not need to be removed to replace the stud. My mechanic tells me the he can remove the stock studs, but "may" not be able to install the extended studs with the clearance. Once the studs are delivered, we will have a better idea.

 

which studs did you choose to go with? arp?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IGotNoSwap &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">which studs did you choose to go with? arp?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I left that with my mechanic to figure that out yesterday. I am assuming he knows a good place to get them since he uses them. He was the one who suggested extended studs for slick. Personally, I am pretty stupid about these things, specially on front wheel drive car (if that matters).

He invited me to come alone with him and the Dynospot racing team next time they do a track night. I never really thought I would ever track the car, but heck, why not. He has a Drag Integra with a B series motor that does 9.12 seconds in the 1/4 mile. He is in the process of swapping in a K20 and is looking to improve on that time.

I have not dragged a car in 30 years, so this should be interesting. At a minimum, I will have him drive my car so we can see what the car is really capable of doing.

Ok, enough babbling.......sorry.

When I talk with him this afternoon, I will find out what he found and post it on this thread.

 

 

can't wait to see pics!

 

I'm curious....... Where did you get the BBK? Brembo does make different size calipers perhaps you got the wrong size?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by therealhov &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm curious....... Where did you get the BBK? Brembo does make different size calipers perhaps you got the wrong size? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Dynospot racing is an official dealer for Brembo Brakes. They got them directly from Brembo. I think they also have 4 piston caliper set as well, but I am not sure. They guys at Dynospot ordered the brakes for me.

When I talked to my mechanic yesterday, he said these are the same brakes they use on Race cars. He said that it is not uncommon for race cars to use spacers because they give them more flexability regarding which wheels they run. To be honest, his comment makes me a little nervous. I am concerned now that these brakes are more of an upgrade than I was expecting. I really only wanted a Sport / HP brake upgrade with the Brembo name, not brakes for racing applications.

I guess we will see when I get the car back (which now is Monday).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
i called EVERYONE including spoon to discuss caliper clearance...

offset of a wheel and size is KEY in this.. ALSO alot of the guys running spoon calipers on the FG2 are using s2k brackets.

offset is the KEY factor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

When I talked to my mechanic yesterday I got the correct offset for these brakes. The correct offset is 38. I think the HFP wheels are 45.

Do you know of HFP comes in different offsets. I am thinking that is a big NO.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hellzcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I am concerned now that these brakes are more of an upgrade than I was expecting. I really only wanted a Sport / HP brake upgrade with the Brembo name, not brakes for racing applications.

I guess we will see when I get the car back (which now is Monday).</TD></TR></TABLE>

when you hit those brakes for the first time it'll feel like you're hitting a brick wall... lol

6 pistons grab hard

Do you think it'll effect ABS at all? I know in the owners manual they claim having a shorter or taller wheel/tire combo will mess with the ABS, but they don't mention anything about if you've added race car brakes

 

Well, the job is completed. Pics below. For the person that asked, yes they used ARP studs.

This job consisted of:
New Brake Calipers
New Rotors
New Pads
8mm Spaces to Change Offset to +38
New Stainless Steel Brake Lines
New Wheel Bearings and Seals
New ABS Magnetic Sensors (part of the bearing)
Extended Wheel Studs







What do you all think?

 

Looks awesome!
Did you do any stopping distance testing?
Any idea what part number they used for the wheel studs? did they cut them down?

 

Oh and the wheel looks good out that far