Monday, November 12, 2012 - 10:22 pm, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
Hi everyone,
I'm in the process of doing a big brake upgrade. So far i've changed the rear brakes to DBA T3 rotors, Supra callipers, project Mu B Spec pads.
I've also changed all the lines to Endless stainless lines and bled with Amsoil dot 4.
For the front i'm doing something a bit different. I have bought some GS450h calipers and rotors from a wrecker in good condition. These are the same as the IS350 and probably some other models. 4 piston, horizontally opposed cast alloy calipers; 335mm rotors.
Now the thing is they don't just bolt up to our hub. One of the bolts does but not the bottom one. I need to have some brackets made and I know a machinist who can do this. I was wondering if anyone in sydney had left and right front hubs I could borrow lying around for mocking up/measuring purposes? They can be completely stuffed, makes no difference!
I'll be documenting my progress on here regardless for anyone who's interested. I think it's a brake swap that's been done in the US according to clublexus.
It's the same deal on the soarer. A very similar bracket has to be made.
I have borrowed some hubs from Daniel Savage now so a big thank you to him for his assistance. An hour ago I took all the parts over to my machinist friend who said it can be done and that it may be expensive. Not sure exactly HOW expensive but i'll keep you posted.
As a side note: When I first met Daniel Savage at his workshop he had nothing but soarers there. Now he's wrecking all sorts of cars (including the soarers sister, the Supra) but hardly any soarers. Apparently there's no interest in our little cars anymore. How sad!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - 12:06 pm, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
Alright.. success!
As a side note i've heard some people don't like using brackets to adapt brakes. I don't think there's anything to worry about especially considering all the aftermarket kits use brackets. Also in this application one of the bolts lines up perfectly like stock. To be on the safe side and reduce the risk of any unwanted harmonics my bracket will be over engineered.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - 03:04 pm, by: Matt Newman(Soarersrock)
i can see one problem here if that's similar to what the final bracket will look like you will allow the calliper to pivot around under hard braking i would suggest that you make a bracket that ties in both factory mount points and the other question is why go to this much trouble when you can bolt on supra 4 pots for the same gain, with these you might gain 10mm in diameter but i cant see that giving you much better braking and i wouldn't have thought that the cost savings would be worth by the time you you get the brackets made and all the stuffing around
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - 05:43 pm, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
I believe the finished product will attach to both mounting points. Apparently that's the easy bit. The hard bit is that little bit pictured because of the different levels and how close the 2 holes are.
I didn't do it to save costs. I guess I was trying something outside of the norm. Also the calipers are a much newer design being made out of all aluminium alloy and a single piece. Finally they are off a car that's only a few years old with 30k on them.
Time will tell if it's worth all the stuffing around. It costs to be different.
Ian Johnston Goo Roo South Australia 1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 08:54 am, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
Hi Ian. Yep rotors are a perfect fit as is one of the mounting points for the caliper. My brackets are going to be finished today apparently so i'll add photos soon.
Also had the rotors machined. They had about 30k km's of use on them. The min thickness specified for these is 27mm. I'm at 28.36 now so all is well.
Saturday, January 12, 2013 - 11:24 pm, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
Brake finally on. I'll post pics soon.
I bed them in yesterday with a series of progressively harder stops. Stopping power is amazing. I know you're not supposed to have shorter stopping distances with larger brakes but this is a night and day difference (Note: my impression from the drivers seat - I have no timed evidence of this).
The force with which you're flung forward under braking is crazy now.
Ben Lipman Goo Roo SA Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car
Sunday, January 13, 2013 - 01:37 am, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
GOod to hear it worked out for you. Waiting for pics to see the finished product. WHen I fitted the Supra brakes I was absolutely amazed at how much harder I could brake.
Monday, January 14, 2013 - 06:01 pm, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
Thanks for your interest Ben. Unfortunately I didn't take photos of the install but i'll take some decent photos of it all shortly with the car raised.
For now I've tried to take some dodgy pics with my phone from the wheel side - through the wheel - to show the calipers. Better pics to come shortly I promise.
Not sold on these wheels. They came off a GS450h. The hybrid one. 18x8.
Front calipers
Rear supra ones
Ben Lipman Goo Roo SA Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car, plus a spare shell
Monday, January 14, 2013 - 09:46 pm, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
I didn't actually weigh them as we were a bit rushed the other day. They certainly feel lighter than the stock, smaller calipers. The 335mm rotors are super heavy mind you and would offset any weight differences.
The is350 uses a 17 inch wheel stock with these brakes. I think it's only 1 specific wheel that fits though due to the width of the callipers rather than rotor size.
I'm sure all the usual volk rims in 17 inch (TE37, CE28N) would fit as they have so much clearance. The width of the calipers is definitely the limiting factor with regard to wheel choice.
My brother actually uses spacers on his car (not a soarer) and I guess that would be a way around changing wheels but I don't like spacers!
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