TK Chan

Hi i'm a newbe with no car sense. did you say that the disks and calipers were from the GS300 and needed absolutely no modifications as i also find the brakes lacking in feel etc. i have also had Goodridge make me a set of stainless steel braided hoses which will be fitted next week. so any of you guys want some braided hoses contact Goodridge direct as i provided them the pattern part and they are not on any websites yet.

The new brake units are those for the IS350 and installation is just a bolt on job, no hassle. The garage people told me that GS300 also uses the same unit but I am not sure.

Nice upgrade :) Is there any reason in particular that you went for this?

Good job though,

Jamie

Jamie,

The garage people did the job for me B). Obviously I feel the braking a bit lacking (especially when fully loaded) so I look for a more powerful grabbing unit. This IS350 unit comes in hand which needs mininal modification except that not all types of wheel rims will fit because of the large size calliper.

TK Chan

Yesterday, I had the IS250 front brake unit changed. The new unit is the one used in the IS350 and GS300. It fits with no modification and is a direct bolt on job. Very subtle change in appearance unless directly compared. Braking power is much improved but no adrupt jerking and is actually smoother than the original unit. I am thinking of painting the callipers later on. Any suggestion on colour - seems red will look good, my car is Blue Onyx.

The 4 port caliper of the new brake unit

Left=original IS250 brake rotor; Right=the new 330mm brake rotor

The new brake unit installed

Picture of the original brake unit behind wheel

Picture of the new brake unit behind wheel

TK, What brake pads are they fitting? There' a Lexus TSIB issued in the US for different pads to be fitted on the 350 and the 250 because of excessive brake dust...here: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...ost&id=6726

The replacement pads produce a lot less dust but are marginally less effective in braking, something you will have more than compensated for with the bigger rotors and calipers, so am really interested in your new set-up.

Tango, thanks for the reminder. This time, I am taking the car to the Tom's & TRD motor shop to have the brakes installed. They should know the issue well as they are the local authorized Toyota and Lexus mod dealer. I'll take the opportunity to have the geometry calibrated as they should have the official is 250 data. I'll also asked them to check the suspension springs to see if the former installation is ok. Somehow I was wondering why the springs don't drop as much as expected. An actual measurement against the official data should clarify the doubt.

Hey TK, I know you're on the forum at the moment. Nearly missed your post.

As you know I'm running 19" diameter rims and the original brakes stop it really well, so I'll be interested to hear what you think of the larger calipers. Have you changed the rotors (discs) as well? I've driven the 350 a few times in the States and it didn't feel any different than mine. The 350 obviously goes a bit quicker so needs the extra stopping power from the higher speeds, but I don't think it's any heavier. My 250 slows down pretty quick from 120+ mph (private tarmac of course)...

...not sure whether this needs to be moved to the brakes and suspension section, although it's still a modification?

Tango, I am changing the whole front brake including the rotor. It is just a simple job of remove and install. No modification is required.

Yes, I'll post pictures in the brakes and suspension section when the job is done.

Sorry to hear that you have to get the whole roof top re-painted because of a small dent.

TK....Is there that much difference between the 350 and 250 brake discs and cylinders? Changing the rim diameter shouldn't make a difference to the braking efficiency because the rolling radius remains the same...just less sidewall on the tyre.

Tango, may be I've accustomed to my previous wheels which were 16" with 205 thread. Now with 18" 225 front and 235 rear, and with the full tank of gas, braking seen a bit loose. The rolling radius of the 16"/55/205 is actually smaller than the 18"/40/225 and may be that caused the difference. The brake rotor of the IS350 is 330mm diameter while ours is 290mm. I think they should give better braking power at high speed under load. Besides, the price seems quite reasonable. I am going to have them installed next week so will let you know more by then.

TK

Hi, Tango.

Your exhaust pipe certainly gives a lot of boosting moral when driving around.

I have today ordered a set of front disc brakes to replace the stock ones. This time there is little waiting time. They will be available for installation in a week's time. They are not the exotic models but those originally installed in the IS350. Fitting should be perfect without any modifications. Price is quite reasonable at GBP600. I change the stock ones because I feel the less effective braking power since changing to larger rims.

TK

I got 2 pictures of my IS250 to complement Tango's beautiful 250. Mine is lowered with UK spec Eibach springs - less drop in the front than Tango's, and 18" Rays Progressive ME rims. Other mods in mind is body kit, front brake set and exhaust.

TK Chan

Two more pictures:

Tango, what an exhaust you've got. Hope you won't wake up your neighbour early in the morning. Anyway, I am thinking of the Tom's exhaust which is less aggressive in outlook. But that long waiting time is terrible.

TK