This is a double post because alot of people dont come over to this side of the woods......

Was wondering whether anybody knows whether any of the Aluminum calipers off a lexus or something like that would fit on our 3rd gens. Looking to lighten the load a little and was curious.

Would be great just to be able to use some LS 400 calipers from the junk yard for $100 and drop the weight from the heavey iron ones we have.

Thanks

Henry

 

are they really weighing you down that much?

 

why?

 

IIRC, every 100lbs you take out or off your car can be up to 4% increase in MPG

 

Thanks Tofer.....To add...as you take off weight you have less of a chance of breaking something as you wheel.....

If you have ever held the calipers off or truck you will find that they are pretty heavey--

Just looking for a cheaper way to start cutting some of the weight off the rig and saving some gas--but mostly for breakage adversion

 

"up to 4%"

Let's suppose we are getting 18 MPG. If we get the full 4% increase, we would now be getting 18.72 MPG.

Cost per mile (assuming $3.75/gal):
@ 18 MPG= $.2083 (3.75/18)
@ 18.72 MPG= $.2003 (3.75/18.72)

Saving $.008/mile.

$100/.008=12,500 (Cost/savings per mile = Miles to BE)

If my calculation is correct, at the full 4% increase, it would take 12,500 miles before you would break even on the $100.00 it cost you for the calipers.

Not sure that's worth it... Let me know if my math is wrong!

Edit: And this assumes that the calipers have a 100lb weight difference.

 

Let forget the over critical cost factors and such--Think about it this way--

It was stated by a politician that take a million$ here and a million$ there and soon you have a billion$. does that make sense?

What i am saying is that if you trim weight in those areas you can--soon you end up with a substantial amount of weight.

The brake calipers would not be the only weight cutting measure taken--i have others i am doing as well.

This would be a great project for a toyota parts guy. So does anybody know if any of the Alum calipers will bolt to our trucks? currently running hte tundra and spaced wheels so i think i have room to play with.

Why not?? dont you like playing around with stuff? Tinkering?

AND--assuming you were able to put 150k on your truck--they total savings would be $1100 after the break even.

 

I think we all enjoy tinkering with our runners but we have to accept the fact that these are not the best when it comes to MPG's. Granted we could be getting worse but it seems like a lot of effort for little gain. I admire you for what you are wanting to do but is it really worth it? Go back to a stock bumper or lighter wheels and that will give you some of the increase your looking for.

 

Please dont worry about what is best for me.

I am just asking this question--this is what i want to do. I want alum calipers on the cheap if it is possible--figured the lexus were a shot.

So lets focus-- and if somebody knows or has a four pot lexus caliper laying around.......that we can compare to our calipers.....

I have also heard that the 4th gen Supras could possibly work.

 

12,500 miles = 6 months of driving for me. I get 20-26mpg in my '97.

I'm doing manual hubs soon, and I'm looking for other areas to help with mpg.

You could also convert the rear drums to disk, that might save some weight.

 

As soon as the 4 link goes in i will be doing FROR Floater chunks.

It is amazing how much wobble is in those semi floating bearings--took them out to do axle seals and i was amazed......

But if you all are interested this is what i have been up to on the rig

1. built a custom gas tank to go where the spare was
2. 4 linking the axle
3. Have a motor being built for the rig--High flow valves and reground cams--balanced and blue printed lower end...
4. Doug Thorley headers and custom exhaust (going on when the new motor goes in)
5. Marlin dual cases with twin stick Transfer
6. Flatten belly
7. Clocked Tranny X-Member


You can see that weight is starting to become an issue--and that is why i would like to trim where possible. Little by little i will.

If nobody here knows then i will try and buddy up with a parts house and compare.

 

This is certainly a more practical way to trim the weight than the titanium idea!

Remember that the BIG thing is rotating weight. Ride a bike with superlight wheels and tires sometime ... it's amazing. Going from drums to discs is a great idea, especially some slotted/drilled ones!

 

BAAAHHHHHH--That idea is not dead yet--it just taking a back seat!!

Just kidding--but anyways, i just think it is fun to tinker also--change, experiment, see whats what.

When i go full float i will weigh one set-up over the other and let ya'll know

 

I think in the end, the FF setup will weigh more, but the rotational weight will be a lot less.

 

So from my research thus far i think the LX 470 has aluminum Calipers. However i will have to see what the differences are on the brake rotors. HMMMMM

Make that GX 470