You can give your Datsun S30 better brakes that'll change its performance and safety. The upgrade from the factory setup will help you get stronger and more stopping power. This gives more confidence in demanding driving situations. The most useful upgrades combine modern parts like Toyota 4Runner calipers with S30-mounting services for direct bolt-on installation.
A properly executed brake upgrade makes a real change in your S30. Three proven approaches are Toyota 4Runner calipers paired with 300ZX rotors. The other options are 280ZX caliper swaps and complete aftermarket kits.
Each option has different benefits in cost and difficulty levels and performance potential. You should consider your driving style and mechanical skills and budget.
The upgrade options we cover here represent decades of community knowledge and real testing. I'll walk you through what you need to know to choose the right setup for you.
Let's get started!
Table of Contents
Why Pick Toyota 4Runner Calipers?
Toyota 4Runner S12W brake calipers will make a sweet upgrade for your Datsun S30. Other enthusiasts out there think so too. You can save some money since these calipers are easy to find and cost way less than aftermarket options. Plus you won't need any tough modifications. These calipers will bolt straight onto your stock brake mounts.
The installation isn't rocket science but keep a few useful facts in mind. First off you'll need to trim down that dust shield since the new calipers are bigger. Those brake lines might also need some changing to fit properly and work right. Just remember to position that bleeder valve pointing up. This'll make bleeding your brakes easier later on.
Your stock S30 wheels might give you some challenges with fitment because these calipers take up more space. You might end up needing wheel spacers to make everything work. That master cylinder too, and lots of S30 owners found out they needed a beefier one. It helps manage the extra brake fluid these calipers use. Let's talk about adding an adjustable proportioning valve to your braking balanced.
These four-piston calipers will improve your braking performance compared to those old single-piston units. You'll get way more even pressure across your brake pads. Those bigger rotors that come with this setup will manage heat way better. This comes in handy when you're pushing hard through mountain roads or hitting the track.
S30 owners have useful experience to share about this swap. They mention that you need to be thorough with the dust shield trimming and brake line routing. Some ran into problems getting their master cylinders to work with the new setup. A handful also mentioned dealing with rusty calipers or brake pedals that wouldn't return properly after installation.
This Toyota caliper upgrade can serve you well when you drive your S30 hard. You'll see the change most during aggressive driving or track days. Just keep in mind that the final price tag could be higher than expected. Add up the extra parts like spacers brake lines and maybe a new master cylinder.
Use 300ZX Rotors
Your Datsun S30's brake system can get a great upgrade with the 1984 Nissan 300ZX rotors. These rotors will give you two thickness options - 26mm and 30mm. The thicker 30mm rotors can manage all your heavy braking more. They also won't warp as easily.
The rotor size makes a difference for your upgrade parts set. Your stopping power increases with some bigger rotors because you can get more friction when you press the brake pedal.
You might hit some obstacles with vented rotors during the installation. Your setup might need spacers to work properly. This is especially true when you're mixing and matching parts like Toyota 4Runner S12W calipers. These spacers help make sure that your caliper sits right over the rotor.
Cast iron rotors can manage heat way better than aluminum ones for your brake setup. Sure they weigh more but these reliable and tough rotors won't let you down during aggressive driving or track days.
You'll need to break in your new rotors after the installation. Take it easy on the brakes to stay away from warping. Regular driving sessions let the rotors heat up and cool down naturally.
Start by checking all your hardware before starting a DIY upgrade. Quality bolts should be on your list. Fresh wheel bearings wouldn't hurt either. Pull out that measuring tape before ordering anything. Nothing ruins a project faster than parts that don't fit together.
Non-turbo 300ZX rotors work with a few caliper combinations. Enthusiasts like to pair them with some Z32 four-piston calipers or 4Runner calipers for some pretty exceptional stopping power. This leaves the original S30 setup in the dust. Just remember to leave enough wheel clearance for your beefed-up brake package.
Try 280ZX Calipers
Your Datsun S30 can get some better brakes with the 280ZX caliper upgrade for around $250. Most other brake upgrades cost way more money but you can get similar performance gains with this easy swap.
The 280ZX's two-piston calipers will help you get much stronger and more reliable braking than your stock single-piston setup. You can either stick with standard discs or step up to 300ZX vented rotors for the rotor options. Keep in mind that 300ZX rotors need spacers because they're built differently.
The installation isn't too tough though you'll have a few small challenges. First you'll need to get rid of the disc backing plate. Then you might need to modify your brake lines a bit. You can either remove the dust shield completely or cut small sections to make everything fit properly.
Your wheels could create some problems (especially with vented rotors and spacers). You'll need at least 15-inch wheels for clearance with the 300ZX vented setup. Many S30 owners don't catch this until after they have bought their parts.
This upgrade works on the street and at the track. Standard discs work fine for street driving and give you lots of stopping power. You should probably choose vented rotors for track days. They manage heat better during intense driving sessions.
You'll need to get some new mounting hardware and brake line fittings and you might want a brake bias valve too. You might need to add some useful tools to your collection.
Take a careful look at your wheels before you spend any money. S30 owners learn the hard way that their wheels won't work with the new setup. An affordable upgrade can quickly become an expensive wheel-shopping adventure.
Handle Rear Brake Upgrades
You'll find a few nice options for upgrading the rear brakes on your Datsun S30. The 1982-1983 280ZX or 1979 Maxima parts will give you a choice between better performance and fitment.
Most S30 owners go for the 280ZX rear calipers and rotors because they do the job so well. You'll need to attach a mounting bracket that lines up with the holes where your drum brakes used to be. Instead of fabricating your own brackets from scratch you can actually find a much easier way to go about it.
The mounting bracket from an'82-'84 Maxima is a good choice because it fits right where your old brake parts were. You might need a little grinding here and there. You'll need to drill some new holes to make sure the 280ZX caliper lines up just right.
You'll need to balance your brake bias too. Your new rear brakes need to work together with your front ones like a dance partner. A bias valve could be what you need to make everything work and your car from squirrely when you hit the brakes hard.
Your brakes will run much cooler with the disc setup in the back which makes a change when you're driving hard. Plus almost every S30 owner says the brake pedal feels way better after ditching those old drums for discs.
Just remember that these bigger brake parts usually mean you'll need at least 15-inch wheels to fit everything. It's something to think about before you jump into the project.
The emergency brake setup is worth considering early on. Some kits let you use what you already have. Others need a hydraulic emergency brake system. You don't want to find this out when you're halfway through the job.
Proper Brake Lines
Your brake lines should be as high on your stock priority list as installing new calipers or rotors when upgrading your Datsun S30. Car enthusiasts jump straight to the flashy parts - but they completely miss these basic pieces. The right brake lines will improve how your brakes perform because they connect your entire brake system together.
You'll experience a mushy and unresponsive pedal with stock rubber brake lines because they stretch out during hard braking - that's why you should switch to stainless steel lines. These upgraded lines maintain their shape under pressure and let you feel what your brakes are doing. They're also way more tough than rubber lines and won't break down or rust away over time.
The brake line alignment during installation affects performance. Twisted or kinked lines can lock up or completely fail when you need them most. You should take your sweet time during installation and double check all your line alignments - this easy step could save you from a total disaster later on.
Your brake performance will be affected by air bubbles in the lines. Just a small bit of air can make your brakes feel weak and unpredictable. That's why you need to bleed your brakes after any brake work. You'll need a quality brake bleeder tool and lots of patience to get all that air out.
The battle between rubber and stainless steel lines comes down to if you want to save money now or buy performance. While stainless steel lines cost more up front they sure help. You'll get way better brake feel and more steady performance. They'll probably last longer than your car itself. Rubber lines might feel like a deal now but you'll end up replacing them before long.
You'll need the right equipment for a successful brake line installation. You should grab a good set of flare nut wrenches to protect those delicate fittings. Regular wrenches just won't cut it here. Damaged fittings often cause brake fluid leaks. Even small leaks in your brake system could put you in serious danger.
Try Aftermarket Brake Kits
When it comes to upgrading your Datsun S30's brakes you'll find aftermarket options to choose from. You'll likely want to upgrade because the modern brake technology and materials work way better than the original parts ever could. These aftermarket kits can come ready to go with calipers rotors and brake lines packed together.
Your best bang-for-dollar option is probably going to be the Toyota 4Runner S12W calipers matched with Friction rotors. It has become a popular combo with the S30 owners. It's reasonably priced and pretty easy to install. You'll only need some spacers and maybe a quick adjustment to your dust shield to get everything fitting just right.
When you want something more high-end businesses like Wilwood can give you some complete packages featuring four-piston calipers and vented rotors. You'll get some billet aluminum mounting brackets and stainless steel brake lines too. These setups will work with most 14-inch wheels. Some options even fit under 13-inch wheels.
Quality control can be a hit or miss with aftermarket brake kits. Different manufacturers have different standards and going for the cheapest option isn't always a good idea. While budget kits might feel tempting you could end up dealing with fitting problems or parts wearing out too fast.
Most aftermarket kits can make the installation pretty easy. They're engineered to mount directly to your S30's stock mounting points. Still you might need to make some small adjustments here and there to get everything working. Just remember to check your wheel clearance before settling on a kit.
Aftermarket brake kits perform at their best when it comes to performance gains. Modern materials and engineering help to manage heat better so your brakes stay steady even under heavy use. Plus these kits keep your emergency brake working and let you choose between street or track brake pads.
The manufacturers will give you complete instructions and customer support for their products. You can usually find online tutorials and installation videos too. This helps if you're planning to start with the job yourself. A professional mechanic can also be a choice for handling the installation.
Check Racing Regulations
When you join a race series you need the original parts to keep competition fair and safe for everyone. Different events have their own strict rules on what parts you can actually modify on your car too.
Stock class racing will usually need you to use those original brake parts for an even playing field. You might get lucky and be allowed to upgrade your brake pads while keeping the factory calipers. Some events are strict and need everything to be completely stock.
Track day and autocross events usually give you more freedom with your brake modifications. You should look at the rulebook before making any changes to your car. Even something as easy as steel-braided brake lines could bump you into a different class. In some cases you might not even be allowed to race at all.
Real stories show how tough brake upgrades can be in competition. One S30 owner lost their chance to race in stock class after installing Toyota 4Runner calipers. Another racer had to scramble to remove their two-piece rotors right before an event started. A quick look at the rules would have saved these drivers the issue.
Safety plays a big part in S30 brake system modifications. The original parts went through complete and rigorous testing at Datsun before they ever hit the streets. While aftermarket parts can give you some improved performance they need safety checks too. Race organizations need an engineer to sign off on any custom brake setups you plan to use.
Race series have very different requirements on brake modifications. You might find some events that allow upgraded calipers from newer Datsuns like the 280ZX. Others won't let you change anything from stock specs. Most organizations land somewhere in the middle with their rules.
Build Your Dream Car
You need the right brake setup that matches how you can drive and what you can spend. A weekend cruiser needs some different brakes than a track car. Your driving habits and goals will point you to the setup you want. There's lots of good options to choose from.
Learning from other classic car owners' experience saves time and money. The S30 community is full of useful and friendly people who love to share what worked for their builds. Your local S30 owners probably know the most reliable shops and trusted parts suppliers too. Their first-hand knowledge is like gold.
At Skillard we share your love for making S30s even better than they already are. We're known for our tough aluminum body panels and custom interior pieces. We also love helping enthusiasts create their dream cars. Each part in our lineup from our signature door cards to our designed bumpers and spoilers is made for these classics. Your perfect S30 upgrades are waiting at Skillard.com. You'll find parts that look and perform even better.
