I think saying it's double the mass is a gross over exaggeration. Yes, you will get greater heat dissipation, and the 231 calipers will provide slightly larger hydraulic clamping power (with basically the same size pad).
But you have to look at the facts, basically everyone who has done the swap is going from warped rotors, shot pads, and black fluid to new rotors, pads, and fluid. So the change is drastic, and spectacular. And half of them even upgrade to braided stainless lines while doing the swap, so of course it's the greatest thing since aerosol cheese. Then they slap on new tires, new suspension, and stop driving like they stole it, and voila, it's a whole new vehicle.
Of course there's also those who do the swap, and note no differences. These of course are the outcasts who probably also claimed the deck plate mod didn't give them 20hp and 5 more mpg (bunch of pessimists). Don't get me started on the tundra coils!
Point is, you will notice a difference. Has any R&D gone into this swap? Nothing scientific. Will I also do it, probably at some point, but I would only go to the 231s. I did notice a slight increase in stopping power just from braided lines, but I also flushed the system and put in new fluid. So it was hardly worth starting a new thread about my new-found magnificent stopping power.
Good luck with the install, hope it all goes smoothly, and make sure to let us know what you think. I honestly hope it's as glorious as some claim, because then I can justify the expense
I'll agree with you there. Just like people who get drilled/slotted rotors and think they stop so much better, but in reality, it's just the new pads/rotors vs old.
But I do believe the benefits are there for the Tundra upgrade. R&D? I don't think anybody went through any thermal testing or 60-0, 100-0 tests, but from people that tow quite a bit, they have noticed no or less warpage, whereas they went through the s12/s13 rotors like crazy. That's got to account for something.
Also, if it's no big deal adding 50-75% more mass with slightly larger pads, why did Toyota even do a TSB from 199 to 231's? I'm sure they put their time and efforts in testing out various systems and concluded the 199/231's were the best for heavy hailing and towing. Like I said, if I start to tow more, I'm doing this upgrade.
