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Install of FSport StopTech Slotted Rotors and Akebono Ceramic Pads *With Pics*
This is not going to be a step by step brake pad and rotor swap since I assume most people already know how to do that. This is just to show the look of the RWD FSport slotted rotors and give my quick impression of how it works.
So I purchased the StopTech rotors from WheelWell.com and they have been great. There was a problem with the supply from StopTech for the "Slotted Sport" rotors so they kept in communication with me and gave me constant updates for the two weeks all the way till the rotors were shipped with a tracking number. Customer service was top notch.
Once received, I checked to make sure the rotors were slotted and were the correct larger FSport size which they were.
The StopTech rotors are one piece but when I held both the stock two piece and this one piece rotor in each hand, they only felt slightly heavier than the two piece stock so I am not worried abut the slight additional unsprung weight.
I took off the old rotor and then installed the new rotor along with the Akebono Ceramic pads.
Everything installed and buttoned up really easy. Took it for a test drive and braking was very good and quiet with no squeaks or squeals.
Overall I am very happy with the rotors and pads as well as the buying experience and price I received from WheelWell.
The rotors were $82.90 each but I found a coupon so ended up paying $75.44 each (before tax) and received free shipping so my total out the door with tax (CA - $10.94) was $161.82. I bought the pads from Amazon before I found the site with the rotors.
Would love to hear how these perform a couple months down the road. Just purchased and installed OEM pads/rotors form Belle Lexus a few weeks ago for much more pennies obviously. Would love to finally have a cheaper option but am concerned of performance....
Would love to hear how these perform a couple months down the road. Just purchased and installed OEM pads/rotors form Belle Lexus a few weeks ago for much more pennies obviously. Would love to finally have a cheaper option but am concerned of performance....
Yep. I will report back on any issues or concerns a month or more from now. So far after a day of running on them, they feel great. Smooth strong braking and no noise so far.
Looks good. Did you bed the pads? If so, what method?
Thanks for the post; we all need a set of brakes at one time or another.
You picked great parts.
I did not bed the pads. Just installed them and started driving while avoiding hard braking for the first several dozen stops..
Thanks. I was expecting the two piece rotors to be significantly lighter than the one piece but was surprised at the relatively small difference in weight between the two when holding them.
I purchased a set (slotted; similar to yours) for my other vehicle and have had no complaints. I'll be going down the same path as you when I decide to upgrade mine on the Lex
This is interesting. We always knew the RWD F-sport had 2 piece rotors which are 1" larger in diameter than any other (Base/Lux/AWD F-sport), and I assumed the calipers and pads would be different. But in fact, even the pad is the same. So really the only benefit for the larger rotor is heat dissipation as the pad contact area is the same, possibly even at the expense of slightly more uunsprung weight(which is offset by the 2-piece).
This is interesting. We always knew the RWD F-sport had 2 piece rotors which are 1" larger in diameter than any other (Base/Lux/AWD F-sport), and I assumed the calipers and pads would be different. But in fact, even the pad is the same. So really the only benefit for the larger rotor is heat dissipation as the pad contact area is the same, possibly even at the expense of slightly more uunsprung weight(which is offset by the 2-piece).
Actually the F-sport models with the 2pc rotors are 14" rotors and they do not use the same pads as the Advics 4 pot calipers you see in the other models.
Advics 4pot caliper with 13.1" rotor with
Advics 4 pot caliper with 14" 2pc rotors off an f-sport 2013+ 4th gen GS.
base model (aka non f-sport) brake pads PN: 04465-30510
2013-2017 Lexus GS350 (Base Models Only)
2013-2017 Lexus GS450H (Base Models Only)
2016-2017 Lexus GS200T (Base Models Only)
f-sport model brake pads with the 14" 2pc rotors PN: 04465-30491
rears on these two models are the same tho.
Wanna know something really cool about these f-sport model with the 14" rotors? You can swap to IS F front calipers and they will bolt on and work.
I've been running the stoptech rotors from the OP but the drilled version since August and they've been working great. I believe they are centric C-tek china rotors. Stoptech takes them, drills and paint them. Reason why is that I was backed order on these rotors for 2-3 months and this was the hint I was getting when talking to the company.
Actually the F-sport models with the 2pc rotors are 14" rotors and they do not use the same pads as the Advics 4 pot calipers you see in the other models.
base model (aka non f-sport) brake pads PN: 04465-30510
2013-2017 Lexus GS350 (Base Models Only)
2013-2017 Lexus GS450H (Base Models Only)
2016-2017 Lexus GS200T (Base Models Only)
f-sport model brake pads with the 14" 2pc rotors PN: 04465-30491
OP used Akebono ACT1118 pads for the front on his RWD F-sport, and that IS the same pad that is used in base/lux/AWD F-sport calipers.
Check the data sheet on the Akebono.
Alternate/OEM Part Number(s): 0446522340, 0446530400, 0446530410, 0446530450, 0446530460, 0446530470, 0446530490, 0446530491, 0446530500, 0446530510, 19159253
So really, the only difference is the rotor, caliper and the caliper brackets.
I've covered this in the IS sub section but installing ceramic pads in place of the stock F Sport german made high friction pads is a downgrade in terms of performance. Just as long as everyone is aware of that and is fine with that. If Lexus could retain the same performance while reducing dust (as well as every manufacturer for that matter), they would've done so already. Dirty loud screechy brakes has been a hallmark of performance cars for decades.
Porsche, BMW, AMG, Ferrari, etc. all experience the same dust and wear.
There are no free rides. No free lunches.
No real performance benefit as well to install vented rotors on a less performing pad. So you are decreasing your friction and reducing the swept surface area on the rotor effectively reducing your brake size. double downgrade. Again as long as people are aware of that and are fine with it. Yes it will reduce your dust but there is a penalty to pay, as with most things in life. That penalty is cold bite, fade, heat management and overall stopping ability.
It'll stop fine, just not as good as stock (F Sport) pads.
OP used Akebono ACT1118 pads for the front on his RWD F-sport, and that IS the same pad that is used in base/lux/AWD F-sport calipers.
Check the data sheet on the Akebono.
Alternate/OEM Part Number(s): 0446522340, 0446530400, 0446530410, 0446530450, 0446530460, 0446530470, 0446530490, 0446530491, 0446530500, 0446530510, 19159253
So really, the only difference is the rotor, caliper and the caliper brackets.
I've covered this in the IS sub section but installing ceramic pads in place of the stock F Sport german made high friction pads is a downgrade in terms of performance. Just as long as everyone is aware of that and is fine with that. If Lexus could retain the same performance while reducing dust (as well as every manufacturer for that matter), they would've done so already. Dirty loud screechy brakes has been a hallmark of performance cars for decades.
Porsche, BMW, AMG, Ferrari, etc. all experience the same dust and wear.
There are no free rides. No free lunches.
No real performance benefit as well to install vented rotors on a less performing pad. So you are decreasing your friction and reducing the swept surface area on the rotor effectively reducing your brake size. double downgrade. Again as long as people are aware of that and are fine with it. Yes it will reduce your dust but there is a penalty to pay, as with most things in life. That penalty is cold bite, fade, heat management and overall stopping ability.
It'll stop fine, just not as good as stock (F Sport) pads.
Yep, very aware of all your points. A while back when I switched from the stock pads to ceramic on the stock two piece rotors, I did experience a decrease in braking power but a major increase in pad life and lower brake dust. The stock pads are very grabby and was more than I needed for 98% of my daily driving.
One of the reasons I bought slotted rotors was to have an edge surface sweep across the pad to help reduce/clean up glazing/polishing of the pad and not for dispersing heavy braking gases produced at the contact point. I very rarely drive hard enough to get to the point of brake fade (and the associated glazing) but it does happen.
12-08-18, 11:40 AM
Install of FSport StopTech Slotted Rotors and Akebono Ceramic Pads *With Pics*
