LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

'96 LS400 brake caliper downgrade question...

Old 02-07-14, 11:40 PM
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MIGS
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Default '96 LS400 brake caliper downgrade question...

I need verification if the '96 Ls400's came stock with either 2 piston, or 4 piston front calipers?


can i remove my current 4 piston calipers, and swap over stock SC300 calipers/rotors without killing myself by using them on a heavier car such as the LS?


thanks
Old 02-08-14, 12:00 AM
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MngreLMatt
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Give it a try and let us know. If nothing more is posted by you I'll be forced to assume... . Wish I could help you
Old 02-08-14, 12:09 AM
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back when i had an '92 SC, i swapped some '97 LS calipers onto it.

So i assume that stock SC front calipers would naturally bolt onto my current '96 Ls with no prob (other than they might not provide sufficient stopping power for a heavier car?)


someone chime-in please
Old 02-08-14, 02:09 AM
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Would it stop? Sure.
Would it stop properly, or repeatedly, or in any way comparably to what Lexus intended? Hell no.

How much do you want those extra few mm of clearance for your wheels? Enough to sacrifice the safety of your brakes?
Old 02-08-14, 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by PureDrifter
Would it stop? Sure.
Would it stop properly, or repeatedly, or in any way comparably to what Lexus intended? Hell no.

How much do you want those extra few mm of clearance for your wheels? Enough to sacrifice the safety of your brakes?
bro THAT's why i asked if '96 LS's also came with smaller front brakes from factory, which i could've swore they did. i thought the 4pot brakes were like trim level options. If i know that the smaller brakes definitely didn't also come from factory on the 95-00 LS's , then i would not run them.
Old 02-08-14, 06:46 AM
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They are 4 piston calipers standard. They didn't have any special brake packages back then. Of course, I'm not even sure they do now!
Old 02-08-14, 09:17 AM
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The UCF10/11 had the smaller 2-pot brakes. The UCF20/21 all had the larger 4pot brakes, no other braking options.

You could put the other brakes on but that's not the best idea.
Old 02-08-14, 09:28 AM
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Kingsoup
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downgrade brakes? good gravy, find some rims that'll fit properly!
Old 02-08-14, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by MIGS
bro THAT's why i asked if '96 LS's also came with smaller front brakes from factory, which i could've swore they did. i thought the 4pot brakes were like trim level options. If i know that the smaller brakes definitely didn't also come from factory on the 95-00 LS's , then i would not run them.
No, all LS400s '95+ model year had the 4pots.
Old 02-08-14, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Kingsoup
downgrade brakes? good gravy, find some rims that'll fit properly!
nope. i make Wheels fit around the car.


And with that process/skillet, certain things may get sacrificed. However, in this case, i won't swap the needed bigger brakes for the obvious reason, so i'll go a different route to make the wheels fit how i want them to.
Old 02-08-14, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by YoshiMan
They are 4 piston calipers standard. They didn't have any special brake packages back then. Of course, I'm not even sure they do now!
Originally Posted by Shmee
The UCF10/11 had the smaller 2-pot brakes. The UCF20/21 all had the larger 4pot brakes, no other braking options.

You could put the other brakes on but that's not the best idea.
Originally Posted by PureDrifter
No, all LS400s '95+ model year had the 4pots.
thanks for the confirmation fellas..
Old 02-08-14, 01:22 PM
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Downgrading brakes is like swapping your airbag for a boxing glove filled with a concrete cast of Mike Tyson's fist...





.... WHY THE ****** WOULD YOU WANT TO DO IT?!
Old 02-08-14, 01:30 PM
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YoshiMan - The LS430s also do not have any brake options (at least in the US). I can't speak for the LS460s.
Old 02-09-14, 04:52 PM
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Mods, i got my answer. Please lock thread.
Old 02-09-14, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Gene01
YoshiMan - The LS430s also do not have any brake options (at least in the US). I can't speak for the LS460s.
Groovy, that's what i figured. I couldn't imagine any LS being built having lower-level mechanical options than another, except for interior conveniences.
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