So I've had a few too many close calls when hitting the brakes hard if the traffic ahead stops short and I'm thinking of somehow upgrading my brakes. I know the best solution to this problem is to always maintain a safe following distance, but for those times when slamming that middle pedal is inevitable what would you recommend to help reduce my stopping distance? Mind you I don't want to blow a huge amount of money on a big brake kit or anything like that, I just want to upgrade my front disc brakes.

 

better pads and rotors

 

Bet wider/better tires.

The brakes in the Cobalts are rather good for what they are. However since the only true stopping power you have is where the rubber meets the road, that should be your main concern.

The 195s my car came with were horrible for braking and just squirrely all around. Once the 215s went on braking and handling was a whole different story. I don't really ever go into ABS stops unless its really slick out or the pavement is crap.

 

Would SS pads fit on my car or does the SS use different calipers?

 

i read on atleast one of the brake kits that the rotors were made for 17in rims or wider (typically)

 

Just get a set of the hawk pads, or the EBC Green stuff pads, and maybe upgrade your rotors if you want. But the tire thing is true, mine stops a lot better with a different set of tires....the continentals suck.

 

I have the Pirelli P6's on the 16's so my tires should be fine, I think I'll just go with better pads. Would SS/SC pads work? I've also heard good things about Hawk.

 

Just go aftermarket.

Powerslot sells rotors for most applications and you can get Titanium Brake Pads from all over the place. Like said, check out Hawk, they are very popular.

If you really wanted to get into it, you can also look into getting new brake lines.

This can be all done with relatively little money...under $300 and you'll notice a good difference of stopping power.

 

It is NOT your brakes. They are more then sufficient for this car. It's your tires. That's what you need to upgrade. And you can do it for less then you can brake. You could do new wheels and tires for under a thousand cheap, under 2 thousand top end, and still spend less then a brake upgrade.

 

I will have to disagree on the statement that our brakes are good enough for the Cobalt. Notice this guy has the sedan? That means he has DRUM brakes in the rear. Or at least mine do, with the loaded LS. The sedan (w/ drums) brakes 60@140ft! That's ALOT for a 3000 lb car. It should be about 120. My pedal goes WAY down alot of times. I also had to adjust my drum brakes the same week I got the car 5 clicks each side. Disc brakes on the rear would help the sedan TREMENDOUSLY. I don't like the rear brakes on the sedan AT ALL. I'd like to just get 2 front rotors and put them on the back!

I also have the P6 Pirellis, and the tires are just "ok" for braking. My next tires will be Bridgestone G009.

 

Car and driver quotes the new Z06 at
"BRAKING
70-0 mph @ impending lockup: 162 ft"

And the cobalt sedan at
"BRAKING
70-0 mph @ impending lockup: 188 ft"

Doesn't sound like the brakes are bad to me. Remember, its not a corvette.

Also to compare, the Mustang GT convertable is quoted at
"BRAKING
70-0 mph @ impending lockup: 183 ft"

Cobalt is looking pretty good to me.

 

link?

I know that doesn't sound right. Besides, not alot of people trust Car & Driver here.