Got a few questions about aftermarket brakes(ie brembo, rotora, etc) if someone would be so kind as to answer them =). thanks in advance.
1. do aftermarket brakes last longer than normal brakes?
2. when they wear down, does it cost a signifigant amount more to change the rotors and pads?
3. about how much do they usually cost to replace?
4. are rotors and pads the only things that will require changing?
5. is it necessary to get all 4 brakes aftermarket? or is it ok to simply change the 2 front or 2 rear and leave the other 2 stock?

G35S 6MT
Technosquare ECU
350Z Springs & Struts
6-wire ground kit

 

check out wilwoods. Check out the Stillen AP 14.25 brake kit thread.

 

After market brakes do cost more just because they usually are a higher performance part. You can also just change the fronts if you want and leave the fronts if you'd like. It just looks nicer to have all 4 done. More complete look. Then your car would look like a bracket racer. Higher performance brakes don't last as long as stock brakes for the same reason, they are higher performance and use more to stop the car. There are quite a few number of manufacturers of aftermarket brakes. It's up to your preference. If you don't drive the car hard and such, just get an upgraded rotor and pad. I have the 6MT but my dad has the AT adn his brakes are so touchy at low speeds and I feel like they are very strong brakes. The only reason I would change his brakes would be to change the look and not the performance.

 

1. It depends on what the pad material is made out of.
2. Usually, you just change the pads and keep the rotors, unless the rotors are heavily worn. Many aftermarket pads don't chew up the rotors as bad as our stock pads.
3. Don't know, still on my original stock set.
4. Rotors and pads are the only things you usually change. Sometimes you need to flush the brake system with new brake fluid, however.
5. No. It depends on what you're after. If you only want to get rid of the brake dust issues, then aftermarket front pads with stock rear pads and 4 stock rotors will be fine. If you're taking it to the track, you probably want aftermarket aggressive street/track pads at all four corners. For everyday street use, a rotor is a rotor is a rotor.

Note, that's just changing to aftermarket pads. There are also brake system upgrades, such as Brembo, Stoptech, Wilwood, etc. These systems cost a couple grand per axle to go to, and involve new rotors, calipers, and pads. Unless you plan to take your car to the track to race, they aren't really necessary. In this case, it's not necessary to upgrade both axles, but it is necessary to maintain brake bias and pressures, so as not to confuse the ABS system in an emergency - Stoptech has a nice article on the subject on their website.

Big brake upgrade kits do not make your car stop faster. They dissapate heat better. They don't fade under heavy use (read: track racing), so you still stop as well on the 20th lap as on the 3rd lap. The stock brakes would probably overheat and lose their braking effectiveness after several laps.

Brakes slow down the wheels. Tires stop the car. If you want to stop faster, buy better tires.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter