FD Brake options
 

Hi there,

it's been a while since I visited but as my FD s coming back from a long time in storage, times have changed big time.

as brakes are on my to do list and due to my business in car parts, I was wondering if there is any OEM brake setup that fits the FD 1 to 1 or with minor mods?
I can imagine that since 2010 ;-) lots of new performance cars have hit the market that might have usefull applications. Which can be easily upgraded with of the shelve pads.

baseline is they should fit 18" wheels for my application.

Wondering what is around these days.

thx

​​​​​​In for the answer to this question.

I'm interested in this because last year one of my brake calipers was in bad shape (I think it was the rear). Anyway, for the life of me I couldn't find a 1:1 OEM aftermarket replacement. I almost went with a big brake kit as that seems to be only option out there but luckily I decided to try a rebuild kit first.

I’m weighing in

If you can afford it, get the AP BBK kit from Sakebomb. What a fantastic upgrade! The kit includes everything you need. About the only thing you’ll need to do is shave down the heat shields (the rears ones, not the front. If you decided to do all 4 corners that is.. ;) )
If you can’t get the AP kit, you can’t go wrong with their more affordable Wilwood kit.

I’ve never regretted the upgrade. Car is crazy capable now. :)

If you're just after bling, go get some Brembos, or AP, or whatever looks the part.
if you want stopping power for an FD that is still under 400hp, then you simply cannot beat the stock brake calipers, some upgraded pads, new quality brake fluid, and slotted (not drilled) rotors from any reputable brand. Of course, you could paint the stock calipers for some bling, too.

17" / 99+ RZ brakes. Backing plate will need to be massaged as the larger ones are NLA. The rears you keep your existing calipers, but use the larger caliper mounts and disks.

Pros: OEM engineered brake bias, uses the same pads you have now, 2 piece aftermarket rotors available front and rear, uses your current master and rear calipers, will fit 17's. You can say you have Spirit R / RZ brakes. OEM+ upgrade path.

Cons: Not a huge upgrade. Front is much thicker, only a little bit taller. Front calipers can be expensive depending on your ability to find a set.

there are some other companies that make nice looking kits

CEIKA Custom Big Brake Kit for Mazda RX-7 FD RX7 FD3S (93~02) - Ceika Performance (ceika-store.com)

Mazda - Brake Kits (pbbrakes.com) PB Brakes. These and Ceika are made in Asia somewhere. There are a couple people that have used them and have good reviews. I think when I get to this point in my build I will go with PB. I'd like to do a 6 piston up front and a 4 piston in the rear.

I had a set of front K-sports a while ago i got used but i never installed them they looked super nice but if i do brakes im doing all 4 corners not just front. But like quichedem said stock brakes are pretty good with upgraded pads/rotors/fluid if your not making big power.

@Montego Not even Ray Crowe had rebuilts anymore?

I haven't asked Ray about the FD yet, but last year I had my FC's rear caliper crap out (leaking from the parking brake mechanism), and neither Ray or anyone else could source me a rebuilt caliper. However Ray had plenty of Mazda OEM rebuild kits available for them (seals, needle bearings, etc), so I would think the FD caliper rebuild parts are too.

the company that did the reman units moved factories, and in the move they lost all of the cores...

Wow. :facepalm:

Although Ray didn't specify about rebuilt units, he simply stated that none were available.

Well... that explains some things.


Bling bling...
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2042560da3.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fc40b75a20.jpg

Yep….


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b3d5226a1d.png

No doubt the stock brakes are enough for vehicles with less than 350rwhp. Even then, I’d be worried about them. As someone suggested, getting 99 spec brakes would be a good option. However for the price, why not get something better that’ll work with the stock bias? Also future proof it if you really want to go bananas? :)
;)

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...271e4db2c.jpeg

So I’ll answer the OP’s original question: Certain EVOs, 8, 9, EVO Brembos, etc.; also, G-37 rotors, 2002 Crown Vic rotors. The foregoing will either directly replace the front brakes or can be fitted with some effort. There are probably others, these are the ones I’m aware of. There are threads that speak to these conversations on the forums here.

I went with Stoptech’s. They maintain the stock bias but work incredibly well on track etc. Probably my favorite mod of all on my car.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a430ced45.jpeg

I went with the Spirit R/Type RZ front and rear with Mx72 pads route just waiting for the New Rotors ( project Mu). Just debating if i want to order some new cooling back plates from TGS or just mess with the current oem ones.

If you want to run air to them, get the backing plates. Otherwise use the stock ones, you won't see them on the car. Easy to modify

You'd better go ahead and get them, and then tell us how you like them.

A bit small looking with 18s, but I want to go down to 17s anyway for more road comfort. OEM engineered brake bias, huge selection of pads, and bragging rights that go with real Spirit R parts.

Weight = thermal mass. Bigger is only better if you're at the limit of thermal capacity, otherwise it's just added weight. Sure can look good though.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3a52dd3176.jpg

Where did you source the parts from? This is something I plan on doing down the road and wouldn't mind keeping my eye out for parts to collect.

The Calipers i Bought off a facebook Marketplace a few years back.
The brackets that allow bigger rotors were from Amayama.
all other stuff were on sale on Rhdjapan a few weeks back, plus used a promo code .

I ordered through rhdhapan for the mounts and rear disks. Got complete front knuckles locally with everything needed. The front calipers are very expensive new, and you can only buy them in the RZ silver color. They were ~900 each last time I checked but the yen has devalued considerably since then

thanks for the infos. I actually have AP racing CP5200 calipers laying around, but was under the impression these might have been outdated. Still lookig for someone who could provide drawings for the caliper adapters (CAD, Fusion360,...) I'm in Europe so sending these oer from the US is a waste of shipping and customs money.

Basically I wondered if any 350/370Z, subaru STi,... or even Euro car brakes (BMW/merc/...) brakes would be an option as we have these available over here and generally these cars are a lot heavier.

Oh, you’re already ahead if you have the calipers. I’ll attempt to look up some of the paperwork I have left over from my kit. Possibly get you the adapter specs.

I don’t think you’d want to install some of the other OEM parts from other manufacturers. You’d probably add more unnecessary weight and the feel will be a bit off. I’m sure some have tried already, but for the most part everyone sticks with the OEM stuff if not some of the well known kits already out there.