Questions about akebonos
Which stock 18s do you have? I could not fit the front 7.5" wide wheel over the Akebono's. The wider rears will, but barely.
im still dazed by why the akebonos are so sought after. they dont stop a million times better than the sport brakes from the 07-08 sedan, they weigh ALOT, the rotors weigh ALOT, and until you paint them, its like looking at a stock sport g37.
but then again, being a sedan owner worrying about rotational mass probably puts me in the minority.
but then again, being a sedan owner worrying about rotational mass probably puts me in the minority.
I have two sets of lightweight wheels, put a lot of thought in choosing between tires that weight within 2lbs of each other, even more thought in balancing my decision of better handling at the expense of marginally heavier sway bars, do not want anything in my glove box or any other storage compartment in the car and think that washing the car often will help lighten the load by a few ounces. Every bit helps. I can tell the difference between how the car handles, accelerates and brakes even with just one extra passenger. Yet, i chose the Akebono's. They have a much higher thermal capacity than the 13" brakes, plus better pad and rotor options for barely the price of a better front-only BBK from other well-known vendors. With the 2-pc rotors, they're actually lighter than the OEM and is easier to service IMHO.
I do track the car. But regardless, every mod that goes into the car has always been about balancing the strengths and weakness. Other than tougher wheel selections and being a tad expensive for us early 2nd genners, i really don't see any negatives with the Akebonos.
Yes, 2 piece rotors seem to be the greatest benefit, but they are hella expensive. I think on racingbrake.com they are over 400$ EACH per rotor. Damn, I paid 168 shipped for my front 2 sport ones from ocautosports, but yeah if Infiniti switched to the AB 14" brakes on the 37, there is a good reason. If I didn't have the sport model, I'd have put AB brakes at the top of my mod list already.
im still dazed by why the akebonos are so sought after. they dont stop a million times better than the sport brakes from the 07-08 sedan, they weigh ALOT, the rotors weigh ALOT, and until you paint them, its like looking at a stock sport g37.
but then again, being a sedan owner worrying about rotational mass probably puts me in the minority.
All that being said, if won a raffle for a set with the lighter rotors and some wheels that fit, all for free . . . OK, I'd do it.
I have the 1st gen sedan
Soundmike,
I totally get you and yes, with 2-peice rotors it cancels out. BUT, and i say this with a grain of salt as its what im saving for, imagine the savings from a 13" Brake Kit with 2-peice rotors. now THAT will save weight. more specifically, im actually saving for the wilwood kit, and once the kit rotors wear out to replace with another brand but 2 peice is 2 peice, and add 13" to that, you have a heck of a lot less weight.
Also, since you track the car, ive seen and heard reports of the akebono calipers over heating, seals going bad, not built to the quality that one needs at the track. You can build the caliper up and toughen up with better components but then your almost at the price of a BBK.
they do look good though. i guess its all about what your after. If you want flashy brakes that look cool, and do a bit better stopping than stock brakes then sure, Akebono is for you no doubt. however, i doubt that owner cares or even knows what heat capacity is, lol.
ok, my thread jacking is done. Ive known for a while soundmike and i are on the same page for modding our sedans, its just not most sedan owners views.
I totally get you and yes, with 2-peice rotors it cancels out. BUT, and i say this with a grain of salt as its what im saving for, imagine the savings from a 13" Brake Kit with 2-peice rotors. now THAT will save weight. more specifically, im actually saving for the wilwood kit, and once the kit rotors wear out to replace with another brand but 2 peice is 2 peice, and add 13" to that, you have a heck of a lot less weight.
Also, since you track the car, ive seen and heard reports of the akebono calipers over heating, seals going bad, not built to the quality that one needs at the track. You can build the caliper up and toughen up with better components but then your almost at the price of a BBK.
they do look good though. i guess its all about what your after. If you want flashy brakes that look cool, and do a bit better stopping than stock brakes then sure, Akebono is for you no doubt. however, i doubt that owner cares or even knows what heat capacity is, lol.
ok, my thread jacking is done. Ive known for a while soundmike and i are on the same page for modding our sedans, its just not most sedan owners views.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 412
Likes: 17
From: Palm Beach, Fl
I love the look, I would paint mine before they even go on the car
and I also want better braking, but i guess i could save the money for the mean time.
unless i run into a good deal.
and I also want better braking, but i guess i could save the money for the mean time.
unless i run into a good deal.
they do look badass painted, dont get me wrong. and they do brake better than stock brakes. if you dont mind the added weight (and lets face it, most do not, which is perfectly fine) then akebonos are the cheapest path to your destination.
I have read of failures with the Akebono's, and can't say i'm surprised by it. The first couple of times i took the car out with the Akebono's i did take it easy. But, the track i frequent is fairly tame and the brakes are holding up fine.
Okay, that's not completely true. The bleeder valve rubber covers are all cracked, but everything else is fine.
The dust/rubber seal i'm not entirely concerned about at this point. I know of weekend warriors who have performance BBK's without piston seals, or those that remove the seals altogether. Don't get me wrong though, it's definitely at your own risk and one has to realize what they're getting into.Hey now.
