TunedRX300

Thanks, I will get 245/55/18 and 5Zigen lightweight 18x7.5 rims (18.5 lbs). They should not rub in the back.

I doubt anyone can add 90 hp on a naturally aspired 220 hp engine. Ebay has 5Zigen Exhaust. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...sspagename=WD1V

Nice, I probably won't go for 8, just 7 or 7.5 is fine. Do you mind to tell me the maker of those rims you bought? Thanks

Anyone has changed RX300 rims to 17" or 18", tires to 235/45/17 or 245/40/18? I am thinking of getting lighter and bigger rims but want to make sure they will fit. I tried to lift the spare tire and wheel, must be 40-45 lbs just by feel. I know spare rim is steel but those 4 alloy rims are not that much better...so much dead weight that RX300 needs to pull.

I just ordered two Rotora rear discs, now I can tell noise coming just from those rear brakes. Not going to replace pads since they still have 75% left, I doubt there is a need since pads don't rust. Plus front brakes handle most of the braking, little gain in imperformance if I switch to ceramic. Rotora discs are slotted B)

I drove about 150 miles with newly intalled Brembo front rotors and Akebono pads. Braking noticeably improved even though Akebono recommends 400-500 miles of break-in distance. So far for one day, I did not hear any noise and obviously can't tell about dust yet. But I definitely have more control. I hated those "sliding" feel when RX300 has built up speed and I need to press so hard to stop at an intersection. Now I don't have to strain my leg :D If you go to tirerack, click brake rotor and look for people with Brembo OE replacement rotor and Akebono pads combo, feedbacks scores are mostly 9 or 10. I don't think anyone makes Big Brake Kit for RX300. Even Brembo doesn't make rear rotors for AWD RX300. I will try Rotora for those rear ones next.

Tirerack also a a link on why ceramic has better performance and less wear http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/why_ce...brake_pads.html

Better braking performance for basically the same price. I am not too concerned about rotor wear since I will have Brembo OE replacement rotors instead of Lexus rotors. Brembo's rotors are made with high carbon cast iron instead of standard alloy cast iron. See the chart at the bottom of link, it is not a wear chart but a braking distance chart. http://www.brembo.com/ENG/Market/History/ProductsHC.htm

After one and half winter in upstate NY, 2000 RX300's brake discs (<39000 miles) are so rusted that I can hear a noise from brakes when coasting at 5-10 mph. I always want to improve RX300's braking anyway but not at Lexus dealer's quoted $1086 to replace all 4 discs, pads, and shims with OEM parts. So I bought Brembo OE replacement discs ($142) and Akebono ProAct ceramic pads ($47) online for the front brakes and scheduled a reputable shop to install them for $65 this Saturday. Total is $254 for the front ones. Double that for the rear and it is over 50% saving over dealer, not mentioning superior braking products. :P Anybody else needs to replace their brake discs due to rust?