LS400 front calipers on ES300?
02-02-11, 08:43 AM
#16
I'm just wondering if upgrading the calipers would actually stop the car in a significantly shorter distance. The brakes can already bring the tires easily to the limits of adhesion and the ABS activates aggressively (I know I did a panic stop on dry pavement a few months back). If you put uber brakes on your car, you're going to need tires with better grip or the extra grabbing power will do nothing for you.
So unless you drive hard and fast all the time, I don't see the point. But it's an interesting project just the same.
So unless you drive hard and fast all the time, I don't see the point. But it's an interesting project just the same.
So in short, from my experience LS400 brakes>>>SC300 brakes > ES300 brakes.
It really is an amazing difference especially if you upgrade your rear brakes as well and pair your car with wider/grippier tires. Night and day.
02-02-11, 10:31 PM
#20
No, they are much smaller. The '92-01 Camry V6, 92-96 ES300 (And maybe 97-01), and 1st gen Avalon all use the same front Rotor The Supra TT rotor you need a 17" rim for it to clear the caliper. Whats really good is that the Supra rotors are directional for better cooling. 
02-03-11, 05:05 AM
#21
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I know for a fact that the LS400 calipers are widder and lighter than the TT ones. Not to mention that people usually want more money for the mk4tt calipers just because they come from the mk4tt. These LS sumitomo calipers are no joke.
02-05-11, 04:11 PM
#22
From what I read the 94-96 Camry/ES300 & 95-97 Avalon share the same twin piston front calipers. These also share brake pads with the earliest LS400 calipers (from what I heard). So I think they may be similar. These twin piston calipers are also visibly larger than the single piston set up.
Everything after 96 (97 Avalon) on the 20 series chassis seemed to use single piston calipers. The 2000-04 Avalon also shares the same 10.7 " front rotors & single piston calipers as the rest of them. The rear rotors are 11.4" on a Gen 2 Avalon. I couldnt agree more that the brakes are adequate at best on our cars. For those who think the brakes are fine, check yourself. The front brakes should be stronger. An Avalon has over a 100lbs on a 97-01 ES300. All the extra weight added to the 30 series ES platform may be the reason why Toyota added 11.65" front rotors and went back to twin piston.
Im looking into a easy and cost effective BBK upgrade. The caliper relocation kit seems to be the best option for our platform but good luck finding one. So Im starting with Stoptech SS lines & Hawk HPS pads. I too am looking for a stronger/larger caliper. Can anyone justify that swapping out the smaller single piston calipers for the older twin set up is a better option on a later model car ??? If anyone can get a larger OEM caliper to work with this platform then I want to know. Has anyone looked into the IS300 12" rotor & caliper set up ?
Everything after 96 (97 Avalon) on the 20 series chassis seemed to use single piston calipers. The 2000-04 Avalon also shares the same 10.7 " front rotors & single piston calipers as the rest of them. The rear rotors are 11.4" on a Gen 2 Avalon. I couldnt agree more that the brakes are adequate at best on our cars. For those who think the brakes are fine, check yourself. The front brakes should be stronger. An Avalon has over a 100lbs on a 97-01 ES300. All the extra weight added to the 30 series ES platform may be the reason why Toyota added 11.65" front rotors and went back to twin piston.
Im looking into a easy and cost effective BBK upgrade. The caliper relocation kit seems to be the best option for our platform but good luck finding one. So Im starting with Stoptech SS lines & Hawk HPS pads. I too am looking for a stronger/larger caliper. Can anyone justify that swapping out the smaller single piston calipers for the older twin set up is a better option on a later model car ??? If anyone can get a larger OEM caliper to work with this platform then I want to know. Has anyone looked into the IS300 12" rotor & caliper set up ?
Last edited by VanCityLS4; 02-05-11 at 04:54 PM.
02-06-11, 10:44 PM
#23
My friend told me tobight he;s making more of the front BBK's.
The Twin piston, or even single piston, is more then enough for out cars with the larger rotor's. It's a rediculous difference. And yes, they are used for track racing. I know they've been used at Willow Springs.
The Twin piston, or even single piston, is more then enough for out cars with the larger rotor's. It's a rediculous difference. And yes, they are used for track racing. I know they've been used at Willow Springs.
06-03-15, 06:39 AM
#24
since i've gotten my ES, 2 months ago, i've been thinking of mods that i would like to do with it (like i do with every "new" car i get). this caliper upgrade has been in my mind for a while and have been wondering if it can be done. I KNOW this thread is an old thread but instead of opening a new one i figure i'd bump this one up incase the members that replied in this thread might have some updated info.
my concern is wanting to upgrade with calipers that have pistons on both sides vs one sided pistons without spending $$$ on aftermarket kits.
that is one other model i have been thinking of as well, anyone know if it will work?
my concern is wanting to upgrade with calipers that have pistons on both sides vs one sided pistons without spending $$$ on aftermarket kits.
Im looking into a easy and cost effective BBK upgrade. The caliper relocation kit seems to be the best option for our platform but good luck finding one. So Im starting with Stoptech SS lines & Hawk HPS pads. I too am looking for a stronger/larger caliper. Can anyone justify that swapping out the smaller single piston calipers for the older twin set up is a better option on a later model car ??? If anyone can get a larger OEM caliper to work with this platform then I want to know. Has anyone looked into the IS300 12" rotor & caliper set up ?
Last edited by mugencivic; 06-03-15 at 06:43 AM.
06-03-15, 08:39 AM
#25
Lexus Champion
You can just go ahead and ignore my previous posts which were skeptical of the value of the doing the LS400 upgrade, I was wrong. I've done it and it was well worth the time. If you want to go the LS400 route this is what you will need -
1990-1993 LS400 Calipers (verify they are twin piston)
1995-1996 Camry V6 or 1995-1998 Avalon caliper brackets and pads
The LS400 calipers will be put on the opposite side of original, left goes to right. The brake line collar (where it is crimped just before the banjo) may have to be filed down slightly so it does not hit the caliper otherwise the fitting might not bolt down tight and will leak.
1990-1993 LS400 Calipers (verify they are twin piston)
1995-1996 Camry V6 or 1995-1998 Avalon caliper brackets and pads
The LS400 calipers will be put on the opposite side of original, left goes to right. The brake line collar (where it is crimped just before the banjo) may have to be filed down slightly so it does not hit the caliper otherwise the fitting might not bolt down tight and will leak.
06-03-15, 07:06 PM
#26
Lexus Champion
I too have done the brake upgrade on my Solara.
I sourced a pair of twin piston calipers, brackets and pads from a 96 Camry V6 with ABS in the junkyard for $70.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIHQ-3eNw4g
I sourced a pair of twin piston calipers, brackets and pads from a 96 Camry V6 with ABS in the junkyard for $70.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIHQ-3eNw4g
06-04-15, 05:15 AM
#27
You can just go ahead and ignore my previous posts which were skeptical of the value of the doing the LS400 upgrade, I was wrong. I've done it and it was well worth the time. If you want to go the LS400 route this is what you will need -
1990-1993 LS400 Calipers (verify they are twin piston)
1995-1996 Camry V6 or 1995-1998 Avalon caliper brackets and pads
The LS400 calipers will be put on the opposite side of original, left goes to right. The brake line collar (where it is crimped just before the banjo) may have to be filed down slightly so it does not hit the caliper otherwise the fitting might not bolt down tight and will leak.
1990-1993 LS400 Calipers (verify they are twin piston)
1995-1996 Camry V6 or 1995-1998 Avalon caliper brackets and pads
The LS400 calipers will be put on the opposite side of original, left goes to right. The brake line collar (where it is crimped just before the banjo) may have to be filed down slightly so it does not hit the caliper otherwise the fitting might not bolt down tight and will leak.
I too have done the brake upgrade on my Solara.
I sourced a pair of twin piston calipers, brackets and pads from a 96 Camry V6 with ABS in the junkyard for $70.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIHQ-3eNw4g
I sourced a pair of twin piston calipers, brackets and pads from a 96 Camry V6 with ABS in the junkyard for $70.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIHQ-3eNw4g
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