Upgraded rotors and calipers (2 Viewers)

[Jim_Chow]

FWIW, I just ordered a full set of ART rotors and Porterfield R4s pads...takes about 3-4 weeks to get, as they have to order the blanks and slot & cryo them. The price has definitely gone up, but still a little less than the Powerslot cryo's w/ the same pads after the ART discount.

 

[spressomon]

FWIW, I just ordered a full set of ART rotors and Porterfield R4s pads...takes about 3-4 weeks to get, as they have to order the blanks and slot & cryo them. The price has definitely gone up, but still a little less than the Powerslot cryo's w/ the same pads after the ART discount.

You'll like them! Did you order the Kevlar or Carbon pads? And as you probably know...be sure to follow the seat in/break in procedure (same as Powerslot's).

 

[Jim_Chow]

Yes, got the Porterfield R4s kevlar/carbon pads.

 

[100 TD]

So has anyone actually upgraded their 100 series calipers to something else?
If so to what, and how big are the pistons in comparison to the originals?

 

[spressomon]

So has anyone actually upgraded their 100 series calipers to something else?
If so to what, and how big are the pistons in comparison to the originals?

I'm not aware of larger calipers for the 100; you'd probably need to use 18" wheels anyway. However after the ART's and Kevlar & Carbon pads & SS lines it's hard to imagine needing more brake power...

 

[hoser]

Stoptech offers a big brake kit. I bought 18's with the intention of upgrading to larger calipers. But with Spressos endorsement of the ART/Porterfield set-up, maybe I'll go that way and save some money.

Torrance, Calif--StopTech LLC announces a front brake upgrade kit for the 1998+ Toyota Land Cruiser and 2003+ Lexus LX470 as the latest addition to its line of Balanced Brake UpgradesTM.

The new front wheel kit includes a pair of front 355x32mm high performance directional AeroRotors® with 7075 T-6 billet aluminum directional hats, two four-piston high performance forged ST40 calipers, adapter brackets, high performance brake pads, as well as front DOT compliant stainless steel braided brake lines. The StopTech kit is a direct bolt on replacement of the stock system and fits behind the stock 18-inch wheels with no spacers.

Incorporating a unique patent pending directional vane design, the two-piece AeroRotors® dramatically improve induced airflow (over 50%) versus the stock rotor. Higher induced airflow means lower operating temperatures, which extends pad and rotor life and dramatically reduces brake fade. AeroRotors® feature a proprietary cast iron formula that resists cracking and fatigue. The floating hat system on the two-piece AeroRotor resists coning during heating and cooling cycles.

The ST40 caliper utilizes a patented caliper strengthening bridge that makes the caliper up to two times stiffer than similar designs. The ST40 calipers use a FMSI 372 pad that is available in many varieties of friction.

The Land Cruiser benefits from the StopTech upgrade both aesthetically with the large 355mm rotor and in performance. The performance benefits include shorter stopping distances, better brake pedal modulation, and less pedal travel. StopTech conducted a brake test composed of ten stops from 60 mph-to-0 mph with the stock brakes and another ten stops with the StopTech system (the only change made). The StopTech brake system beat the stock system by three feet on average and the StopTech rotors were 216 degrees F cooler after 10 stops. The shorter stopping distances give drivers added confidence, especially when carrying a full load of passengers or towing heavy cargo.

The Toyota Land Cruiser Balanced Brake Upgrade maintains optimum front to rear brake torque balance. StopTech achieves optimum front to rear balance by sizing the caliper pistons specifically for the Land Cruiser versus competitive systems that use off the shelf calipers designed for different platforms.

The retail price for the Toyota Land Cruiser or Lexus LX470 front balanced brake upgrade is $2,695.00.

For more information call Robert Lee at (310) 325-4799 or email at rlee@stoptech.com.

 

[spressomon]

Fronts only? For on-road use this sounds like a viable upgrade. However since the front-rear proportioning on the LC is weighted more towards the rear than other vehicles I have owned I wonder how, without upgrading the rear rotor size and calipers, the overall balance in braking force and modulation is retained?

Lower operating temperatures coupled with larger surface area would provide better modulation and peak power...all things being equal. Why just the front kit though?

hoser: I can't remember where I saw it...you're probably in the know(!)...OEM's are working on a disk brake set-up that utilizes a caliper and pad set that offers almost 360 degrees of pad to rotor contact. By design the rotors/pads run cooler and longevity is improved.

 

[Jim_Chow]

The only other big brake kits (available for front and rear) are the Brembo Ferrari F40 and F50 calipers for the 100 series. If you have to ask...they run like $10K+ for all four wheels.

 

[hoser]

I can't remember where I saw it...you're probably in the know(!)...OEM's are working on a disk brake set-up that utilizes a caliper and pad set that offers almost 360 degrees of pad to rotor contact. By design the rotors/pads run cooler and longevity is improved.

I vaguely remember reading something like that and I may have even posted it. I searched but couldn't find it.

As for brake proportioning, StopTech claims they have designed their kits to maintain proper brake proportioning. Then again, what is the proper proportioning now that we've made all these changes in weight, weight balance and height?

Anyway, all this talk has me brainstorming for ideas...

I think the '07 Tundra might be an excellent brake donor for us. They have 13.9" and 13.6" rotors. It's nice the rotors have the same bolt pattern. Next, we need to get a hold of some Tundra calipers and see what kind of adapter plate or mods we need to mount them up.

Check out these TRD brakes for the new Tundra... 16" rotors. We need to find somebody who bought this so we can buy their old OEM brakes.

Also worth looking into is the '06-'07 100 series calipers and rotors as they are supposedly bigger. Is there an improvement? Could be a bolt on upgrade.

Below: '07 Tundra heavy duty brakes with 4 piston calipers.

 

[spressomon]

I vaguely remember reading something like that and I may have even posted it. I searched but couldn't find it.

As for brake proportioning, StopTech claims they have designed their kits to maintain proper brake proportioning. Then again, what is the proper proportioning now that we've made all these changes in weight, weight balance and height?

Anyway, all this talk has me brainstorming for ideas...

I think the '07 Tundra might be an excellent brake donor for us. They have 13.9" and 13.6" rotors. It's nice the rotors have the same bolt pattern. Next, we need to get a hold of some Tundra calipers and see what kind of adapter plate or mods we need to mount them up.

Check out these TRD brakes for the new Tundra... 16" rotors. We need to find somebody who bought this so we can buy their old OEM brakes.

Also worth looking into is the '06-'07 100 series calipers and rotors as they are supposedly bigger. Is there an improvement? Could be a bolt on upgrade.

Below: '07 Tundra heavy duty brakes with 4 piston calipers.

Interesting! However my brakes are plenty adequate for my uses...simpler & less expensive. But it would be interesting just the same to see someone adapt the Tundra's and read a full report (hint, hint hoser ).

 

[Jim_Chow]

FWIW, the calipers on the 03-05 calipers are supposed to be bigger than those on the 98-02 calipers, according to LC magazine. But the rotors are still the same size at least through '05. In terms of buying aftermarket stuff (ARB, slotted rotors, etc.) for the '06+, it's scarce. When I bought my Sahara bar, all the ARB stuff was spec'd through '05 only.

 

[Jim_Chow]

As a followup, I got my A.R.T. cryo'd rotors and Porterfield R4s pads installed last weekend (both front & rear). The pads and rotors fit exactly as the OEM parts did. FYI, pads/rotors were spec'd w/ the same P/N for all LC's/LX's from '98-05.

I proceeded to bed them on the straight & mostly flat approach to the Mt. Lemmon highway in Tucson. First was 8 miles driving there (easy on the brakes, warmed up the rotors), then a 60->35 braking, followed by four 60->10mph brakings, 20 min of driving for a cooldown and climb up to the first viewpoint, then 4 mi on a twisty mountain descent (35-50mph braking to 10 in the turns), then five 60->10 brakings on the flats at the bottom. Brakes were smoking at this point, but pad grip was good! After that, 20 min cooldown on the way home.

Today, I drove it for the first time in a week. Rear brakes were still a little smoky smelling after the first 12 miles of city driving (easy braking). Braking is very good; I'd say about the same when rotors are cold but much less braking effort is needed otherwise. I don't think the pads are fully broken in yet. The Porterfields on my 4runner took months to break-in, partly because there was no place where I could drive like described above in LA!