Best crossed drilled LS400 Front Rotors for my sc400
10-06-16, 09:32 PM
#2
Non-drilled rotors are best actually. Brembo blank rotors or Centric blank rotors. The LS400 brakes with quality non-drilled rotors and a good set of pads are night and day from stock. For pads, one of the most common for street is Hawk HPS which should be available for the LS400 calipers.
If you're set on slotted rotors no matter what I'd definitely recommend Brembo or any other top tier brand.
OEM braking systems with drilled factory rotors (or aftermarket big brake kits that come with drilled rotors) are different and will be less prone to stress cracking after repeated heating and cooling.
If you're set on slotted rotors no matter what I'd definitely recommend Brembo or any other top tier brand.
OEM braking systems with drilled factory rotors (or aftermarket big brake kits that come with drilled rotors) are different and will be less prone to stress cracking after repeated heating and cooling.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 10-06-16 at 09:49 PM.
10-07-16, 07:43 AM
#3
Non-drilled rotors are best actually. Brembo blank rotors or Centric blank rotors. The LS400 brakes with quality non-drilled rotors and a good set of pads are night and day from stock. For pads, one of the most common for street is Hawk HPS which should be available for the LS400 calipers.
If you're set on slotted rotors no matter what I'd definitely recommend Brembo or any other top tier brand.
OEM braking systems with drilled factory rotors (or aftermarket big brake kits that come with drilled rotors) are different and will be less prone to stress cracking after repeated heating and cooling.
If you're set on slotted rotors no matter what I'd definitely recommend Brembo or any other top tier brand.
OEM braking systems with drilled factory rotors (or aftermarket big brake kits that come with drilled rotors) are different and will be less prone to stress cracking after repeated heating and cooling.
For rotors I would recommend the stoptech rotors if you're set on getting cross drilled, but I agree with Kahn, blanks are the best.
10-07-16, 03:18 PM
#5
There are racing options available from Porterfield and Carbotech. I've had positive experiences with both companies in the past, but I lean towards porterfield mainly because they're local to me and have always provided me with great service.
10-08-16, 03:21 AM
#7
Glad to help 
^^ I forgot about StopTech. That's a brand with a very good reputation. I still say blank rotors rather than drilled though. The LS400 calipers with EBC Redstuff pads and a good set of rotors will make a huge difference already. The Brembo 4-piston and 6-piston kits with huge rotors, similar big brake kits from Baer Brakes, StopTech or those off a Corvette sometimes come with drilled rotors. But all of those are pricey compared to the LS400 or the TT calipers.
That's a shame. I get it... what percentage of Lexus SC and Supra MKIV NA owners outside of enthusiast circles and forums even know about this brake swap? Still... enough people modify 95+ LS400's that you'd think there would be some more sporty pad offerings.
I haven't used Porterfield or Carbotech yet but I have heard great things about both. I also lean toward Porterfield from my research. I don't recall offhand but they make one street type pad that can be used for DDing but up from that there they are pretty much track pads with different operating temperature ratings and compounds. The kind of offerings you want to use some Motul RBF600 brake fluid with on the track. I've read some good threads on SF contrasting the OEM Supra TT pads, Hawk HPS pads and Porterfield street pads. Porterfield generally came out on top but I think the Hawk pads and OEM TT pads fared better for everyday use, especially with no warmup from cold. Once warmed up... no contest.
I'm surprised too. I reached out to a few companies about producing a high performance street pad, but none of them were willing to do it.
There are racing options available from Porterfield and Carbotech. I've had positive experiences with both companies in the past, but I lean towards porterfield mainly because they're local to me and have always provided me with great service.
There are racing options available from Porterfield and Carbotech. I've had positive experiences with both companies in the past, but I lean towards porterfield mainly because they're local to me and have always provided me with great service.
I haven't used Porterfield or Carbotech yet but I have heard great things about both. I also lean toward Porterfield from my research. I don't recall offhand but they make one street type pad that can be used for DDing but up from that there they are pretty much track pads with different operating temperature ratings and compounds. The kind of offerings you want to use some Motul RBF600 brake fluid with on the track. I've read some good threads on SF contrasting the OEM Supra TT pads, Hawk HPS pads and Porterfield street pads. Porterfield generally came out on top but I think the Hawk pads and OEM TT pads fared better for everyday use, especially with no warmup from cold. Once warmed up... no contest.
Trending Topics
10-08-16, 08:19 AM
#8
Iceman,
One thing to think about is rust in the future. I used OEM blanks for my TT upgrade and have the rust rings around the hat, outside edge and the face doesn't look as shiny/clean as I have seen on some aftermarket setups. Pretty picky I know, but I have 19" Rays wheels so the brakes are very visible. Doing it again, I would look into aftermarket or at least paint them prior to installation.
One thing to think about is rust in the future. I used OEM blanks for my TT upgrade and have the rust rings around the hat, outside edge and the face doesn't look as shiny/clean as I have seen on some aftermarket setups. Pretty picky I know, but I have 19" Rays wheels so the brakes are very visible. Doing it again, I would look into aftermarket or at least paint them prior to installation.
10-08-16, 08:47 AM
#9
I haven't used Porterfield or Carbotech yet but I have heard great things about both. I also lean toward Porterfield from my research. I don't recall offhand but they make one street type pad that can be used for DDing but up from that there they are pretty much track pads with different operating temperature ratings and compounds. The kind of offerings you want to use some Motul RBF600 brake fluid with on the track. I've read some good threads on SF contrasting the OEM Supra TT pads, Hawk HPS pads and Porterfield street pads. Porterfield generally came out on top but I think the Hawk pads and OEM TT pads fared better for everyday use, especially with no warmup from cold. Once warmed up... no contest.
Motul RBF600 or 660 is a nice brake fluid, but a cheaper alternative would be ATE Type200. For a street car that doesn't have its brake fluid changed frequently the additional cost for Motul is negligible, but if you go to the track often and change your brake fluid multiple times a year the Motul adds up really fast. I've had plenty of friends do endurance racing using ATE with no problems at all. ATE is around $20 for 1L vs $15 for 500mL of RBF600.
The last time I checked the OEM supra TT brake pads have been discontinued for the front. There are still places that have it in stock, but it is going to become harder to find in the future.
Iceman,
One thing to think about is rust in the future. I used OEM blanks for my TT upgrade and have the rust rings around the hat, outside edge and the face doesn't look as shiny/clean as I have seen on some aftermarket setups. Pretty picky I know, but I have 19" Rays wheels so the brakes are very visible. Doing it again, I would look into aftermarket or at least paint them prior to installation.
One thing to think about is rust in the future. I used OEM blanks for my TT upgrade and have the rust rings around the hat, outside edge and the face doesn't look as shiny/clean as I have seen on some aftermarket setups. Pretty picky I know, but I have 19" Rays wheels so the brakes are very visible. Doing it again, I would look into aftermarket or at least paint them prior to installation.
It's worth the effort in my opinion.
10-08-16, 05:24 PM
#10
Pole Position
I went back and forth for the LS400 upgrade and went with slotted rotors with black painted top hats... These are StopTech.
For the pads, decided to go with the Akebono ceramics to keep the dust down; the down side of these pads is they have to warm up to get decent stopping.....
Post pictures of your decision.....
For the pads, decided to go with the Akebono ceramics to keep the dust down; the down side of these pads is they have to warm up to get decent stopping.....
Post pictures of your decision.....
10-09-16, 04:41 AM
#11
Take it from a guy that races with these calipers on the car. I go through brake pads, rotors quite often. So here is my take:
Rotors:
Just buy the Advance or AutoZone rotor. For the street, the drilled rotors will make a whizzing sound you probably won't like. If you are dead set on something over stock, go with the Stop Tech slotted rotors. You can buy them from AutoAnything usually at 20% off and ends up being around $80 each.
Pads:
For racing, Porterfield can make a Raybestos ST43 compound race pad to fit the LS400 caliper. This is by far the top pad material for endurance racing. I can run 2 races at 8 hours long and have pad left when I run the ST43. They have to cut them from a larger pad, so it's not cheap, usually around $250/set. I have tried all the EBC stuff including Yellows and they won't hang. They fade quickly and also don't last. I have tried the CarboTech XP8's and XP10's and they are much better than the EBC in performance in that they will not fade but not up to par with the ST43 in longevity. All that to say, that is what's best for racing, which I should say these pads would all be bad for street driving because they will never come up to temp and would just wear your rotors prematurely. For street driving, with the LS400 caliper/rotor combination being so large, I have yet to see a pad that doesn't work well. Just buy something that is lifetime so you can go swap them out when they wear out.
Rotors:
Just buy the Advance or AutoZone rotor. For the street, the drilled rotors will make a whizzing sound you probably won't like. If you are dead set on something over stock, go with the Stop Tech slotted rotors. You can buy them from AutoAnything usually at 20% off and ends up being around $80 each.
Pads:
For racing, Porterfield can make a Raybestos ST43 compound race pad to fit the LS400 caliper. This is by far the top pad material for endurance racing. I can run 2 races at 8 hours long and have pad left when I run the ST43. They have to cut them from a larger pad, so it's not cheap, usually around $250/set. I have tried all the EBC stuff including Yellows and they won't hang. They fade quickly and also don't last. I have tried the CarboTech XP8's and XP10's and they are much better than the EBC in performance in that they will not fade but not up to par with the ST43 in longevity. All that to say, that is what's best for racing, which I should say these pads would all be bad for street driving because they will never come up to temp and would just wear your rotors prematurely. For street driving, with the LS400 caliper/rotor combination being so large, I have yet to see a pad that doesn't work well. Just buy something that is lifetime so you can go swap them out when they wear out.
Last edited by RXRodger; 10-09-16 at 09:57 AM.
10-11-16, 08:28 PM
#13
Pads:
For racing, Porterfield can make a Raybestos ST43 compound race pad to fit the LS400 caliper. This is by far the top pad material for endurance racing. I can run 2 races at 8 hours long and have pad left when I run the ST43. They have to cut them from a larger pad, so it's not cheap, usually around $250/set. I have tried all the EBC stuff including Yellows and they won't hang. They fade quickly and also don't last. I have tried the CarboTech XP8's and XP10's and they are much better than the EBC in performance in that they will not fade but not up to par with the ST43 in longevity. All that to say, that is what's best for racing, which I should say these pads would all be bad for street driving because they will never come up to temp and would just wear your rotors prematurely. For street driving, with the LS400 caliper/rotor combination being so large, I have yet to see a pad that doesn't work well. Just buy something that is lifetime so you can go swap them out when they wear out.
For racing, Porterfield can make a Raybestos ST43 compound race pad to fit the LS400 caliper. This is by far the top pad material for endurance racing. I can run 2 races at 8 hours long and have pad left when I run the ST43. They have to cut them from a larger pad, so it's not cheap, usually around $250/set. I have tried all the EBC stuff including Yellows and they won't hang. They fade quickly and also don't last. I have tried the CarboTech XP8's and XP10's and they are much better than the EBC in performance in that they will not fade but not up to par with the ST43 in longevity. All that to say, that is what's best for racing, which I should say these pads would all be bad for street driving because they will never come up to temp and would just wear your rotors prematurely. For street driving, with the LS400 caliper/rotor combination being so large, I have yet to see a pad that doesn't work well. Just buy something that is lifetime so you can go swap them out when they wear out.
10-12-16, 03:07 AM
#14
Motul RBF600 or 660 is a nice brake fluid, but a cheaper alternative would be ATE Type200. For a street car that doesn't have its brake fluid changed frequently the additional cost for Motul is negligible, but if you go to the track often and change your brake fluid multiple times a year the Motul adds up really fast. I've had plenty of friends do endurance racing using ATE with no problems at all. ATE is around $20 for 1L vs $15 for 500mL of RBF600.
I'm continually amazed at what Toyota will discontinue for the MKIV Supra just the same as a garden variety Corolla. Now brake pads of all things...
Last edited by KahnBB6; 10-12-16 at 03:11 AM.
10-12-16, 08:15 AM
#15
I will look into the ATE Type 200 also, thank you Blkexcoupe!
Wait, what?? I bought a set of front OEM TT pads about three months ago. I have to check into this with my Toyota parts guy now. I should also try to order a set of TT rear pads now rather than later. Looks like after my next brake job I'll have to switch to Hawk HPS.
I'm continually amazed at what Toyota will discontinue for the MKIV Supra just the same as a garden variety Corolla. Now brake pads of all things...
Wait, what?? I bought a set of front OEM TT pads about three months ago. I have to check into this with my Toyota parts guy now. I should also try to order a set of TT rear pads now rather than later. Looks like after my next brake job I'll have to switch to Hawk HPS.
I'm continually amazed at what Toyota will discontinue for the MKIV Supra just the same as a garden variety Corolla. Now brake pads of all things...