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The ultimate budget brake upgrade???

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Old 09-10-19, 02:37 AM
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BaysLex
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Lightbulb The ultimate budget brake upgrade???

after going over hours of searches on the forum and youtube i've decided to post for the first time and ask every question imaginable

Hello, i recently had an emergency brake scare on my 04 fwd rx330. it has 225k mi on it. I plan on adding a roof top tent and rack which would add roughly another 150lbs to a crossover with sub par oem braking. I heard that 1996 v6 camry/solara calipers are dual piston and can fit on the rx front brackets. Are they an improvement over the RX as i'm puzzled to think they would place lower quality brakes on a heavier lexus that is 8 years newer? Is there another even larger toyota/lexus model caliper set that would be a cheap upgrade and still fit my 18 in rims? (looks like those dual pistons are less than $90 bucks for the set new)


I also saw on Club Lexus that a member had improved braking by swapping the rotors from a supra tt and adding steel braided brake lines with dot 4 fluid. Would it be possible combining both methods? Is one superlative over the other? Are there similar upgrades for the rear? Are they(rears) worth it or just focus on the fronts?


Hoping after 15years there is a guru or two on herer that has all the answers to my million questions. I really appreciated it guys! please note, im not trying to invest in an expensive bbk on her as she is quite long in the tooth.
Old 09-11-19, 04:13 PM
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Lexuswiz
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I have yet to hear or see anyone put them on an RX, please link me if you have seen this, I'm curious to see this myself. This dual piston mod is big in the Camry and Highlander subforums on ToyotaNation and I considered it myself for my Camry.

But, since the Highlander and RX share very similar chassis, I bet they will fit.

But, performance wise, it's not that big of a step up. I have family with a Venza and newer highlander that have the dual pistons, brakes are still mushy. If we could somehow get LS calipers on an RX, that will be a night and day difference. Those things are 4 pots, unreal performance for a heavy car with a 4.3L V8.

SS lines, new fluid, "grippier" pads (EBC yellow), and quality rotors will make a difference. An actual BBK will make a huge difference due to physical size of the caliper and rotor.
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Old 04-29-20, 07:11 PM
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I'd <3 to add Stoptech's bbk.....13'' two piece rotors/4 piston calipers/ss lines, but to me its really not cost effective. My thought is to just throw quality rotors/pads to it. I do have SS brake hoses on order as well. I'd be really interested in those rotors for a Supra tt. Anyone know the story w/ clearance issues? Is it the diameter or the width of the rotors?
Old 04-29-20, 07:28 PM
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Margate330
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I put a pair of these on the front and I like them.
Not dual piston- just remans from Rock Auto but they work like new.
And Yeah the Red Pops. lol
Now I have to do the back ones too so they match.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...21312&jsn=2167


Old 04-30-20, 04:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Lexuswiz
I have yet to hear or see anyone put them on an RX, please link me if you have seen this, I'm curious to see this myself. This dual piston mod is big in the Camry and Highlander subforums on ToyotaNation and I considered it myself for my Camry.

But, since the Highlander and RX share very similar chassis, I bet they will fit.

But, performance wise, it's not that big of a step up. I have family with a Venza and newer highlander that have the dual pistons, brakes are still mushy. If we could somehow get LS calipers on an RX, that will be a night and day difference. Those things are 4 pots, unreal performance for a heavy car with a 4.3L V8.

SS lines, new fluid, "grippier" pads (EBC yellow), and quality rotors will make a difference. An actual BBK will make a huge difference due to physical size of the caliper and rotor.
I have an LS430 and the brakes are crap sorry to burst your bubble lol I am upgrading them next summer.

You guys dont realize if you put calipers that are any bigger you will need to run wheels with a +40 offset our stock wheels are only +35, also the LS430 has the exact same size front rotor as the RX does.

Also the highlander rotor is is almost 10mm wider from the hub than the RX rotor same with the venza rotor so I am 99% sure neither of the calipers will fit the RX.

Last edited by 05ls430518; 04-30-20 at 04:26 AM.
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Old 04-30-20, 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 05ls430518
I have an LS430 and the brakes are crap sorry to burst your bubble lol I am upgrading them next summer.

You guys dont realize if you put calipers that are any bigger you will need to run wheels with a +40 offset our stock wheels are only +35, also the LS430 has the exact same size front rotor as the RX does.

Also the highlander rotor is is almost 10mm wider from the hub than the RX rotor same with the venza rotor so I am 99% sure neither of the calipers will fit the RX.
No issue for me as I'm running TSW's Accent 8.5''x18 wheels w/ a 20mm offset......I'm just going to toss quality pads/rotors at this rx vs doing a BBK, to me its not really cost effective. I do have SS hoses on order btw.
Old 04-30-20, 08:07 AM
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Margate330
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Originally Posted by Felix
No issue for me as I'm running TSW's Accent 8.5''x18 wheels w/ a 20mm offset......I'm just going to toss quality pads/rotors at this rx vs doing a BBK, to me its not really cost effective. I do have SS hoses on order btw.
I was thinking same thing as far as cost goes.
It starts getting expensive doing all 4 wheels even with remans and new hoses.

PS- I just got new rubber hoses for front but now wishing I got the Stainless.
Old 04-30-20, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Margate330
I was thinking same thing as far as cost goes.
It starts getting expensive doing all 4 wheels even with remans and new hoses.

PS- I just got new rubber hoses for front but now wishing I got the Stainless.
http://tirerack.com has SS hoses for $90.00 which I have on order......
Old 04-30-20, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 05ls430518
I have an LS430 and the brakes are crap sorry to burst your bubble lol I am upgrading them next summer.
LOL I have low standards. Compared to my Camry and Corolla, night and day with the LS brakes. I see you're into high end cars, so I bet you know true power. What are you upgrading too?

Closest I got to feeling real brakes was on a new 2019 M850i, those things could throw me into a tree.
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