I will be doing some brake work some on my 83' Rx7. For some reason the passenger's side rear caliper seizes up every now and then. So I plan on replacing that caliper, but I will be replacing both calipers on each side.

My question is can I use a larger disc brake rotor for each corner of the Rx7? If so what size can I go up to, can I use the same calipers (new), where can I find these larger rotors(and calipers if needed), and should I go with cross slotted rotors w/stainless brakelines? Has anyone heard of Axxis brake pads, are they any good? I'm going to want to purchase a good set of front and rear brake pads that will last a long time, nothing cheap.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Basically anything can be used if you have money, skills and money, how far do you want to go. Respeed has a good front upgrade, bwaits is his forum name.

Upsizing your rotor and using stock calipers is pointless realy, you need to use 4 piston calipers, again see Respeed.

Another option is to find and use GSL-SE suspension, as this model has larger brakes all around and is bolt in. However you'll change your stud pattern from 110 mm to 114.3 mm.

If you use quality brake fluid, quality brake lines and rebuild your calipers the stock system is pretty damn good for street use.

Axxis brake pads are very good for street use, they are made by PBR is Australia.

 

I don't completely agree with aussiesmg on this. Changing the rear rotor diameter directly changes the torque that the brake applies to the wheel keeping the caliper the same. It also increases swept area, improving resistance to fade.

The thing to be careful of here is brake balance. It wasn't very clear from your post if you're planning to do just the rears or all 4 corners. Increasing stopping power only at the back of the car will increase the tendency for the rear tires to lock under hard braking which can actually lead to increased stopping distances and loss of control in emergency situations.

 

I have a complete SE suspension (brakes, shock towers, shock and struts, rear end, etc.). The SE suspension was purchased for my 85' Rx7 and that is the car the suspension will go into most likely. The disc brakes for both cars are sufficient, providing each Rx7 retains their the stock wheels, which my 83' Rx7 does not have, it has 15" rims and I will be getting even larger rims to fill up the 83' widebodies wheel wells better. In that case the 15" rims would go on the my 85' so then again the brakes will have to upgraded in some way and the SE suspension swap will be ditched. I will go will Axxis pads regardless. Thanks for your feedback. So upgrading the rotor and caliper size would be helpful and not useless for 83' rx7.

As mentioned in the first post if and when I upgrade it will be for each corner, all four. Thank you also for you feedback.

So with a larger rotor I'll have to go with a larger caliper, right? Also would it be a good idea to go with cross slotted rotors. Let me know, thanks again.

 

Not necessarily. You'll need a different mounting bracket, for sure, but you could keep the standard calipers if you wanted to.

 

I guess it all depends upon your needs but the SE brakes are very good really for the weight and power available in an FB, but if you are planning on a high HP engine or racing that is a whole other story.

By the way the stock front calipers are the same on all FBs but the SE rear calipers are different to go over the vented rotor.

 

If you are increasing tire footprint drasticaly, suffering from brake fade, then upgrade. If you are not tracking the car, slotted rotors and a good set of pads can be sufficient. I'm suprised how quickly the stock pads and slotted rotors bring my widebody down with the 15" wheels. Does a better job than my 2nd gen. Biggest problem I have is the low vacuum signal the bp puts out to the brake booster.

The front brakes do near 70% of the braking, concentrate there.