510-FD

Anyone know why there seems to be three different part numbers for front brake calipers on the S4/5 FC, '93-'94 FD, and '95 FD cars? Most curious is that there is a different number for '93-'94 and '95. These are all aluminum four-piston Sumitomo units, are dimensionally interchangable, and look the same. Maybe the pistons are different diameters. Another curiouity is that the rebuild kit covers all three models?

FormerPorscheGuy

You must have way too much time on your hands. You are pondering over your brakes way too much.

BigIslandSevens

iTrader: (4)

As far as the S4/5 calipers go. There are 2 different types. The single piston type that came on the base models. And the four piston calipers on the T2's and some better n/a models.

The differences between the 4 pistons is probably just updated materials or parts used, and the part # is updated to the new parts.

But as Formerporscheguy said....You have tooo much time to be worrying about the differences.

510-FD

It's not that I have too much time, I'm just in the middle of a crazy project and am trying to cut a corner. You see, I have the front and rear subframes, all of the suspension, PPF, everything from under a FD, and I'm installing it under a 510 body, with a REW motor. It'll be a 1900lb boxy looking 3rd gen basically. It'll be the only Datsun 510 with sexy forged aluminum control arms!! Anyway, I don't have the front FD calipers. I DO have some aluminum 4-piston calipers laying around as spares from my ITS FC racecar. I am only curious if there's any reason why I shouldn't use these, v/s buying a set of FD calipers? I think they're the same, although there are different part numbers out there.

BigIslandSevens

iTrader: (4)

The only thing I can think of might be the distance in the mounting bolts for the caliper. I am not sure if the bracket is the same on the FD and FC. The spindles(knuckles) are not the same so I think the mounting bracket might be different. I can look at our FD and FC and compare later on today for you maybe.But if you have everything in front of you and it bolts up....I wouldn't worry about spending the extra 800 for the 2 FD calipers.

BTW: That is going to be a bitchin little 510!!! There is one with a 12A out here with a fiberglass body.Pretty sweet. You going single once it's in?

510-FD

I have bolted the FC caliper to the FD upright, and it fits perfectly. I also have two sets of big porsche 4-piston calipers that I had planned to use before I decided to change the suspension. I am considering making a bracket that will allow these to be bolted to the FD upright? There probably will be little performance benefit, but they look great! They do have staggered piston diameters, so that's a plus. Or I may just forget it and use the FC calipers. I'm using Tilton pedals and master cylinders (dual cylinders) so I will calculate master cylinder bore sizes to suit whatever brakes I decide to use.

DamonB

No sense in putting Porsche calipers on the stock rotors. If you're not going to use a bigger rotor don't bother.

I wouldn't bet my life on it but I have heard many times that the TII front caliper and the FD front caliper are the same except for cosmetics. If the rebuild kits are the same you know the pistons sizes are also the same.

510-FD

cosmetics? Really, I need to find a picture of the FD calipers then, I was thinking they looked the same. THX

510-FD

DamonB your right, the FD calipers don't have the cooling fins, they're much smoother. I like the smoother look, but I can convince myself that the cooling fins are a performance advantage. So there, I've technically justified my being cheap on this issue.