Thread: Want Cheap Sentra BBKs? Help me out!

I'm working with an up and coming parts manufacturer for developing a cheap, solid, dependable version of a big brake kit.

To get the ball rolling, we have to harvest some parts to use for mockup, so I have a couple questions.

Is the front suspension from a B13 the same throughout the model line (XE, SE, SE-R, etc)? In other words, can we use the front suspension from an XE to mock up a kit for the SE-R?

Do any of the later models share suspension setups? If we build a BBK for a B13, will it fit a B14? If not, what are the differences?

We are thinking about offering 2 models, an 11in kit and a larger one, probably 11.75 or 12in rotors.

Is there anything you guys don't like about the current BBKs available?

I've heard of swapping in NX rears, is that enough for big rotors up front, or do the larger front rotors with 4 piston calipers need a bigger rear setup as well?
Any input?
TIA

As for not liking the current BBKs, I have one problem with them. They stick out too far for me. Even with the rotor 2mm from the ball joint (inboard as far as possible) the outside of the 4 piston caliper sticks out far enough for me to require a 12mm spacer to clear the spokes of my wheels. My wheels don't have much caliper clearance to begin with though. This is also a physical limitation and really can't be overcome unless lower profile 4-piston calipers can be found/made or you use asymmetrical calipers (ugh).

The other thing I don't like about the current BBKs is that the dogbone adapter in aluminum. I know people might like this, but giving an option of steel (I guess the other companies could do one in steel if you asked nice enough) might be good. The reason is, this dogbone is threaded (and I believe it has to be) and I've stripped so many of them in the past it makes me feel the weight savings is not worth the hassle.

Have you tried using threaded inserts?
Threaded Inserts for Aluminum - Helicoil vs. Keensert vs. Microdot?

It's the way to go for aluminum to steel threaded connections especially if there is going to be a lot of torque applied.

So is the normal B14 suspension probably the same as the SE-R front?

I'll look into making them mount further in. The rotor hats are being custom made, as is the caliper bracket, so it might be doable.

Nevermind.

According to this:
B13:
Front axle & front suspension ? Illustration #3, Nissan SENTRA 1993

B14:
Front axle & front suspension ? Illustration #2, Nissan SENTRA/200SX 1996

The knuckles are different. Sadly, I can't check the standard B13 sentras, the server give me an error. Anyone know of a decent parts catalog?

BenFenner, does your FSM include part numbers?

GregV informed me that the knuckles on the B13 are all the same except for whether they have ABS or not, and I believe it's just a small mounting tab if that's the case.

BenFenner, what kit are you using if you don't mind me asking?

Fastbrakes 11" kit. Personally, it's served me extremely well and there are only a few minor things I would change.
I wouldn't even think about trying to sell a BBK while Fastbrakes is around. Their prices are super low. They are charging for materials and then only a tiny bit more. I don't see how you could compete with them.

have you guys even tried talking to brian at fastbrakes? let him know your issue's and he will try his best to help you out. brian is an AWESOME guy. if there's several people with the same issue, i'm sure he will figure SOMETHING out for you guys.

and mafoose, like BenFenner said, this kit is extremely cheap for what you get.....

I have dealt with Brian at Fastbrakes a long, long time ago when I got my kit (I swear I was one of his first customers and he was willing to experiment with my kit). My issue with the aluminum adapters is more of an issue than anyone else because mine is a custom thickness (3mm thinner on one side) which makes the aluminum threading problem an issue. A steal dogbone is in order for me, but not likely anyone else with the kit. So that's my problem only, and someday if I ever have to take off the adapters I'll call Brian up and have him sell me new ones in steal.

As for the caliper mounting depth, that is why my kit is different. He gave me a taller rotor hat than normal, moving the rotor and caliper in more (requiring that 3mm of material removed from the dogbone) but that's as far in as you can go. Any farther inboard and the rotor will contact the lower A-arm. After all that, I still needed a 12mm spacer to clear the spokes on my wheels (although I guess that's better than 15mm). Basically I'm thwarted by the fact that two parts can't occupy the same space at once. =D

Well I want to offer a cheap alternative, basically a "piece it together" kit, that would compose of caliper brackets, rotor hats, and possibly brake lines.
Of course we'd also offer a complete bolt in setup as well.
I'm thinking of different options for calipers as well, from OEM 4 piston setups to Wilwoods/Brembos/Baer/etc. Mild to wild basically.


I might be able to do cheaper
What's wrong with a little competition?