I have a slight dilemma on my hands:

I switched to my summer wheels Saturday and noticed that I need new front pads and rotors. My inspection is due month end, so I planned to do the brake overhaul this weekend.

So you all are probably saying, "No brainer; change rotors and pads." Well I was thinking what a perfect time to upgrade to the LS system. The only problem is my wheels will not fit, because I have SC430 wheels. I know, I know, they're heavy, not the best fitting, and not the best looking.

While doing my daily browsing here, I stumbled on JohnEd's spacer post. I didn't want to thread jack so I started my own catered to my own situation.

Here's where my dilemma comes in:

• Should I keep the SC400 front brakes or go with the LS400 front brakes and a set of bolt on spacers?
• If I go the LS400 front brakes route, what size spacers do you think will be sufficient?

Sorry I got a little long winded, but I appreciate your patience and feedback.

Mousiee

P.S.
I apologize if this has been asked X00,000,000,000 times.

 

I don't think your question can be answered by anyone that hasn't actually done this with your rims. Maybe there is one on here.

Info you might use..... The rims that I bought that did not clear were rims for a SC400 and they were 40mm offset. 5mm spacers clear by just a whisker. What is the offset on the rims you have? I think the offset for the LS is 45mm......verify that. It just might be that 45mm is the magic number 50mm seems to me to be a slam dunk. You can start worrying if you have deviated from that 225X55X16 stock rim.

Save yourself a month of grief: Read all that stuff posted about "soft pedal". I regret that I can't take/post pics about all the clearance problems in fitting the LS400 caliper to the SC400 spindle. If you have to use the SC400 brake caliper mounting bolts....the SC bolts will work but you need to grind off 4 threads to shorten the bolt...the stock LS bolts fit.

Have fun and HTH,

John

 

Thanks for your reply. I'm hoping someone here can help me.

I believe the offset of my wheels are 50mm and I don't think they are high disc. They're 18x8. I really do not want to buy another set of wheels.

I've been reading here frequently and I'm thinking my only worry is the rim clearance.

 

I would hate to say it, but I think the easiest way to solve the dilemma would be to bolt the brakes in place and test fit the wheels. leave your stock brakes hooked up, just to the side..I hope I am making sense..

then just for fitment testing to assure correct spacer size, buy a set of cheap slip on spacers till you find the size you need, then return them and say they didnt fit, order the spacers you need and your done..

seems like alot of work, but in the end, you dont have to buy new wheels, you can use the LS brakes, and the 430 wheels wont be a sunken ship either...

 

That is the easiest way to find out since the only person that can answer for you has to have SC430 rims.

The clearance between the rims and caliper is determined by the offset + rim design. A high disk face would be ideal for caliper clearance.

 

IMO, I would say stick with the sc400 brakes which are less of a hassle. The ls400 brakes would only provide a marginal difference during everyday driving. Research some of the posts as JohnEd mentioned.

 

Thanks for all the responses, but I think I'm going to stick w/ the SC400 brakes for now. I'm going to just wait and do right. I'll just pick up the pieces I need here and there (calipers, rotors, and rims that fit).

For now, I'm going w/ the iRotor rotors and pads.

Thanks again,
Mousiee