sjc2467

I read somewhere that you can fit the LS calipers with stock SC400 wheels with spacers ('93 SC400). I believe the size 15mm was suggested, but it seemed to be just a guess. Has anyone actually done this? What size spacer is needed? I've never used wheel spacers before; are there any downsides or problems associated with them (reduced bearing life seems like a given--anything else)?

I'd prefer to use the smallest spacers that I can get away with, and I don't have a problem shaving a bit off the calipers, if it's necessary (and safe) to allow fitting a size smaller spacer.

I did a bit of searching, and this seems to be a decent spacer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ICHIBA-V2-15mm-19-32-HUB-CENTRIC-RIM-WHEEL-SPACER-SPACERS-5x114-60-1-12x1-5-/230925320872?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ASC400&hash=item35c438c2a8&vxp=mtr Any opinions? Are there any cheaper alternatives that are just as good?

I usually go for premium pads (other cars, the SC is relatively new to me) but I was thinking of just going with Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramics (front and rear) on the SC because they're relatively inexpensive and have a lifetime warranty (with the traffic on long island, pads don't last too long, so the warranty is a big deal). I'm not a very aggressive driver, so I think I should be fine with the Wagners if they're comparable to OE, but I don't want anything much worse than OE (which aren't much more expensive, excluding the warranty). Any thoughts?

Thanks for your feedback!

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=601782

Ichiba do not get good reviews. Anywhere.

durps

iTrader: (8)

H&R make really good spacers. Sorry dont know about the spacer size, but the wagner pads arent that good. Sold at autozone so they are easy to find and not expensive but the LS calipers dont really have too many pad options regardless. I would go oem.
Just google wagner pads ls calipers, should find a bunch of threads.

jbrandon

iTrader: (2)

Just run extended studs, then you can play around with different size spacers and wont have to run those crappy adapter!

SC4Paulo

iTrader: (2)

I threw on a 20mm on my car, a 15 might be able to clear it I had some space left.

LEXXIUM

iTrader: (1)

I don't think the diameter of the stock wheels would fit over the calipers, then again someone can correct me if I'm wrong

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

He mentions he has a 93, so you might be right. I'm not sure if the stock 15" wheels will clear.

The stock 16" wheels on the later models (5 spoke) will clear with a 15mm spacer.

SC4Paulo

iTrader: (2)

I have lexus GS 16's in my garage, ill throw my rotors and calipers in to see if it clears. for now heres a pic of 18's with the LS400 BBK./
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjurisprudencia/9052167110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjurisprudencia/9052167110/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/pjurisprudencia/, on Flickr

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

16's fit. The LS comes with 16" wheels stock.

SC4Paulo

iTrader: (2)

Guess I didn't post that up, haha I was in a rush to leave work haha but yeah

sjc2467

My '93 has 16" stock wheels. I'm relatively sure they came with the car (the previous owner would not have replaced them unless it was necessary (due to damage), and it would have been done by the dealer, so I'm sure they would have been replaced with whatever the car came with).

They look like this (not my car):



Does that apply to my 16" 10 spoke wheels as well?

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

No clue. I haven't had a 93 with that style of rim in almost 10 years. I was just saying a 16" 5 spoke oem wheel will clear with a 15mm.

sjc2467

I just wanted to follow up and confirm that it does work, with 15mm spacers. There isn't a whole lot of extra clearance, but there is enough.

I actually had to relocate a stick-on wheel (balance) weight an inch back into the wheel (where the diameter is larger) because the weight would hit the caliper.

I'm not sure if I can say there is more braking power (the stock brakes had no trouble locking up the tires with only modest pressure), however, modulation is much improved: there is just a bit more pedal travel, which helps,and superior modulation is an inherent benefit of fixed calipers (the only performance benefit, really).

I did notice that the front brakes run noticeably cooler, now (rotor temperature and wheel temperature, by infrared thermometer), which I suspect is due to the fact that the pads drag less (square cut piston seals, used in all modern calipers, twist when the piston extends, and when force is removed, they help pull the piston back slightly (with a sliding caliper, only the pad on one side retracts, because the caliper wants to stay where it is).

(The rotors are larger in diameter, but thinner, so I'm not sure there is too much of a cooling benefit).

I'm not basing the lower temperature on different driving conditions: I actually spent several days driving with one of each caliper (I know, I know.. not the best idea, but one of the calipers I got was defective, and I didn't find out until I was done installing them, at which point, I didn't want to switch both sides back to the old calipers (there was a cut in the surface the crush washer seats on, so it leaked fluid)).