I was just wondering if I could get some help on this situation. I need to change my brakes within the next 5K miles, when I hit 12K, and would like to get some fronts that have a good bite to them when you press the pedal. But, I was wondering about upgrading calipers and bigger rotors. Is this necessary for lots of performance driving, or can I build a semi-stock setup that will do just fine? I have a history of a few 150ish runs and would like to have something that has a good life. For this, I was pondering on a set of Brembo solid rotors, I had a set on my GSR and they were extremely awesome and had great life under EXTREME driving conditions 24/7. Also, my freinds STI has them and they are always up to par! Thanks in advance to all who help me out with this dilema!


Mike

 

just get a set of good pads, like hawks and a set of slotted rotors, that should do the trick. If your looking into upgrading the front system entirely you could always check out the SSBC front kit.....Pretty nice kit and a simple install.

 

Unless you're putting in some heavy track time with this car, upgrading the full system won't be necessary. OrangeSS is spot on, just get nice pads and some slotted rotors and you'll be happy with that. The stock calipers are perfectly fine for this car unless you spend weekends on an open track or run sub 12sec 1/4er's.

 

get the rotorworks drilled slotted rotors and posi quiet pads, made a world of difference on my car, my wife said the other day when she drove my car that my brakes make her cars brakes seem like they are bad when they are still new lol.

 

celicacobalt,

How long have you had those rotors? I've always been a little standoff-ish with drilled because I've seen a lot rust and warp fast as hell up here in NY. I've always stuck with the slotted.

 

Depends on what kind of "performance" driving you do. I run a lot of open track days and auto-x, so drilled and/or slotted are out for me - too many problems with them.

I bought Raybestos Professional rotors (the extreme lack of non-drilled/slotted rotors is disappointing to say the least) with Hawk HP Plus pads. As soon as the pads are in from Gravana I will let you know how they do.

 

Get a nice set of braided steel brake hoses too

 

had these on for about 6 months now and they are awesome, i said the same things as you but for the price i said ill give them a try, they were like $300 for the 4 wheel setup

 

I would go with the Brembo blanks and a good set of pads maybe EBC pads. Never tried Hawks on my other car mostly because all they had were the street pads. I wouldn't go near drilled rotors again(mine cracked after about 2 or 3 lapping days and about 5 autocrosses) never tried slotted.

 

I've always just went with slotted rotors (power slot) and Performance Friction pads. The rotors are oversize for the SS/SC as they are. I would like to try some Brembo rotors though but would stay with the OEM Calipers......they work just great!

 

there's nothing wrong with slotted rotors, although Ive heard and seen bad things from cross drilled. Hawk pads are pretty nice, if they make them for the OEM calipers.

 

I know a lot of Redline folks who tried alternate braking systems and are unsatisfied, some have gone back to stock. I think the stock braking system rocks and every review I have ever read on the SS the authors rave about the strenght and fade resistance of the stock brakes on the track.

 

If your going to upgrade anything go with GMPP rotors we had a few people on the Redline Forums run those that AutoX and Road Race. They never had any problems with warping. I have been told that the Cobalt SS/SC and the Ion Redline have one of the best braking system for its class.