Editing R33 Brake Upgrade

[[category:Brakes_and_Wheels]]

If you've already got import or GTS struts, here's a easy way to get better braking.  I've fitted R33 GTSt rotors with R33 GTSt calipers, no spacers, no washers, bolted straight up.  I gave the lower arm some minor love with the hammer, but it's far from anything drastic believe me.  When you do it, you'll see what I mean.  

[[image:R33_brake3.jpg]]

I bought a pair of reconditioned red painted R33 GTSt calipers with Endless CCX pads for $250.  I paid $110 for the rear twin pots for the coupe.  I got a pair of R33 GTSt rotors for $100, and I had those redrilled and slotted/half spot drilled for $45 each. 

[[Image:Brakes_r33_valverestrictor.jpg]]

Note:  Before fitting the caliper, inside the caliper where the brake line screws into the caliper is a grommet/retainer. Remove that. Take a self tapper screw and pull it out. This only serves a purpose for R33 and its Flared Brake Line Fitting. Machining down the banjo bolt IS NOT a safe practice, in my opinion, but has been done.  With it still fitted the untouched standard banjo bolt will not fit into the caliper.  With it removed it will, no probs at all.

[[image:R33_brake1.jpg]]

The only issue I had was the rotor rubbing on the lower control arm.  There's two things I can suggest you do.  Push back the edge of the lower arm enough so it clears, it's fuck all really.  Or take the rotor to a brake joint and have them machine a shallow into the rotor at that point, as that point doesnt see any contact with the brake pad.

[[image:R33_brake2.jpg]]

Oh and my 15"s fit with 20mm of spacers.




If you are looking for good rotors, the RDAs are schmick as.  Get the R33 GTSt ones, the best price I've seen was $380 posted from Shiftperformance.com or something like that, and about $410 for a pair of DBA slotted golds. Or you could get blanks from DBA for about $220 each retail.

R32 GTR and R33 GTSt brakes are exactly the same diameter - 296mm.  
DBA charts explain that:

R32 GTR rotors are 32mm new - 30mm when fucked.

R33 GTSt rotors are 30mm new - 28mm when fucked.

So if you use R32 GTR calipers and rotors, you will need spacers and washers as the rotor is another 2mm thicker standard over the R33 GTSt.  R32 GTR needs 3mm spacers between the rotor and the hub to clear the arm properly, and 2mm of washers on the caliper to center the caliper on the rotor. Hence why R33 GTSt calipers and rotors are a far better option.


[[image:R33_brake4.jpg]]


Lastly, good luck. If you have any questions feel free to contact me on the forums.



==Alternative Clearance Fix==

An alternative fix to the R33 rotor clearance issue on the lower control arm. Mine got some panelbeating hammer love and still touched in places that were not practical to re-shape.

Machining of the inner surface of the rotor to just inside the pad contact area, no rubbing now. The normal flex under load in the stub axle/wheel bearing was enough to cause contact before. The added benefit is the rotor is now lighter.

[[Image:Brakes_R33_machined_rotor2.jpg]]



==See also:==

[[GTS brake upgrade]]

[[Brake Upgrades Miscellaneous]]




'''Compiled by:'''

Angry, blue