I've got a '94 SC400 with 100K miles on it and I'm on the verge of receiving
my new wheels (18" DTM Kreuz 10 two pieces) and I started looking for
alternatives to dress up the nasty looking rotor hats that are now going
to be all too visible. I've read through what seem to be all of the relevant
threads in the forum, but wound up with more questions than answers and
was hoping to for some opinions/assistance.
I've got three options I'm considering, each with a set of questions:
1. Just clean and paint the hats with some high-temp paint. Well I guess
I don't have any questions with this one.
2. Upgrade to some coated rotors. The top two on the list are the nickel
plated rotors from Frozen Rotors or the cadmium plated PowerSlots. If I'm
going to upgrade, I'm inclined to go with slotted, but I've read lots of stories
about the slotted rotors chewing up OEM brake pads. Is this an experience
any of you with slotted rotors have had? If you've upgraded pads as well,
do you have any recommendations on pads? I'm just concerned about the
noise associated with many of the higher performance pads.
3. If I'm considering #2 ($600), why not considering upgrading the calipers
now as well. I was surprised to see how much lighter the LS400 and Supra
calipers are compared to the SC400 calipers. I'm also going to have a lot more
stickier tread on the ground (Michelin PS2s, 245 on the front and 265 on the
rear), so I might actually get some additional stopping power out of a bigger
caliper right? Even if I don't dropping eight pounds off the wheel (according
to the FAQ) would be a good thing. However, I can't find any details on the
Supra or LS400 upgrades--poor search terms perhaps. Is there a procedure
posted somewhere along with the part numbers that I'd need for retrofitting
the Supra or LS400 calipers on a '94 SC400? Anybody have any thoughts
or preferences between the two choices or the value of the upgrade in
general?
I've never been very happy with the brakes on my SC. I just seem to have
to press harder on the pedal than I think I should. I'm going to change
out the brake fluid this week just to eliminate any issues with that. Brake
pads, calipers, and rotors have all been inspected/replaced as necessary
when I painted the rusty original calipers.
Thanks for your help,
robert