For wanting to swap to front + rear big brake kits?

I know it's quite alot of money, and so far, I've only got 17" rims about to be wrapped in rubber this week, but they just seem so dam cool.


Also, is it me, or is it hard to find replacement pads for any big-brake conversion? No retailer seems to stock them...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, March 23, 2007 4:21 PM

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2002 Sunfire -->
- Ractive steering wheel
- ASA 17" EM9 + Nexen N5000 215/45/17 (steelies for winter)
- D-Spec Lowering kit @ 1.4" (issues currently )
- Rockford P250.1 + MTX MZS1004 + Panasonic CQ-C8313U head unit
- Barely legal tint.

This just seems like a foolish question to me. You are on a forum dedicated to those who love modding their cars, and you are asking us if you're nuts for wanting to upgrade your brakes?

The people who I really believe are nuts are the ones out there spending every dime on engine mods and lowering, but don't think about the brakes. Seriously, brakes are an excellent investment. I say go for it.

Finding the pads is easy. They use standard pads from other cars (mine use Corvette pads all around) so you can buy them anywhere and they're not expensive.

The rotors are a different story since they need to be re-drilled and the hub bore machined to fit the car. Of course, I've got years of daily driving on mine and they still barely have any wear on them so I wouldn't be too concerned about this.

If you've got the money, go ahead and do it.

It depends on what you want to accomplish. If you just want performance a set of slotted rotors and some aggressive pads will accomplish this. Most of the hardcore autocrossers on this site including myself opt for slotted rotors and typically Hawk HP pads and thats the extent necessary for a performance brake upgrade provided you've got good tires. Ultimately the tires limit the braking capacity of the car not the brakes.

The pads on our cars are HUGE compared to most cars with both front and rear disc brakes and considering that the front brakes account for 60% or more of your braking capacity there more than capable. Larger rotors mean more weight unless you opt for the 2 piece rotor which will cost more but also decrease the weight by a big portion over a solid 1 piece large rotor.


-Chris