Upgrading the braking system on your Nissan 240sx is a popular and effective modification for improved performance, especially for enthusiasts who track or drift their cars. This guide follows up on our video tutorial (http://youtu.be/G9I06pjuCRg) and provides a detailed step-by-step walkthrough on how to perform a 300ZX rear brake conversion on your S14 240SX. Even if you’ve watched the video, this written guide will offer further clarity and ensure you have all the information you need to tackle this upgrade with confidence.
Before you begin, gathering all the necessary components is crucial. A complete 300ZX rear brake conversion kit simplifies this process. I sourced my parts from Z1 Motorsports, which offers comprehensive kits designed for this specific upgrade. When acquiring your kit, pay close attention to the parking brake components. Missing pieces can be a headache, often requiring expensive new parts directly from Nissan. It’s also worth noting that some older Infiniti Q45 models share a similar parking brake design, potentially offering an alternative source for these parts.
While the 300ZX hubs are included in many kits, they aren’t strictly necessary as you can reuse your existing S14 hubs. However, acquiring the complete hub assembly often includes the essential backplates, which are typically harder to purchase separately. Selling the surplus 300ZX hubs to 4-lug 240SX owners can help offset the cost.
For the parking brake mechanism to function correctly, all the small components pictured below are vital. Even a missing spring can render the system ineffective. Therefore, meticulously verify that your kit includes every piece shown to avoid complications during installation.
Choosing the right rotors is important for braking performance. For this conversion, I opted for Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) 4000 Series one-piece slotted rotors. These rotors are an excellent choice for performance driving and motorsports due to their high carbon iron construction. This material provides superior resistance to warping and increased thermal capacity compared to standard rotors, making them ideal for demanding braking conditions.
The final essential piece for this 300ZX rear brake conversion on an S14 Nissan 240SX is the parking brake cables. Specifically, you’ll need R33 Skyline parking brake cables. These are necessary for S14 models (’95-’97) because they are the correct length. S13 240SX owners (’89-’94) have the option of using 300ZX cables, but they are known to be a very tight fit. Investing in the slightly more expensive R33 Skyline cables is recommended for a smoother installation in S14s. thenismoshop.com is one source, but they are often out of stock. Checking Nissan 240SX forums can be a good alternative for finding these cables, which is where I managed to locate mine.
With all the parts in hand, it’s time to begin the installation process by removing the original rear brake setup from your Nissan 240SX.
Start by removing the cotter pin from the axle nut. This pin prevents the axle nut from loosening. Once the cotter pin is out, use an impact gun to remove the axle nut. A strong impact gun usually does the job effectively. If it’s stubborn, you might need to use a breaker bar for extra leverage. The axle nut size is typically 27mm.
Before detaching the caliper, disconnect the parking brake cable. There are two ways to do this. You can either remove the cable with its bracket still attached, as shown, or you can pop the clip holding the cable to the bracket and slide the cable out. In this instance, the first method was used because the cable was seized within the bracket, likely due to corrosion from road salt exposure, common in regions with harsh winters.
Next, carefully crack the brake hard line loose from the caliper. It’s important to only loosen it at this stage and not fully remove it yet. Keeping it partially connected until the caliper is off minimizes brake fluid leakage from the system.
Now you can fully remove the caliper from the 240SX.
With the caliper removed, the next step is to take off the rotor. It’s common for rotors to rust onto the hub, especially if they’ve been in place for a while. Using a rubber mallet or a heavier hammer can help persuade the rotor to come loose. Be sure to strike the rotor evenly to avoid damage and ensure a clean removal.
This completes the removal of the stock rear brake components. The subsequent steps will involve installing the 300ZX brake components, which will be detailed in the next part of this guide. Stay tuned for the continuation of this Nissan 240SX brake upgrade!
