LS4 Performance Grand Prix GXP | Monte Carlo SS | Impala SS | LaCrosse Super

brake rotor question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2010 | 08:03 AM
  #1  
94ss06gxp's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Mid MI
Default brake rotor question

ok so i need new front rotors and front pads, (the rears were replaced by the dealer when i bought the car) . is there anything wrong with running different brand rotors in the front than the rears? also im not stacked with money right know so can someone point me in the right direction for some front rotors!!?? thanks
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2010 | 01:02 PM
  #2  
Red06SS's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Mass.
Default

Different brands are fine. It's all in what you pay for though. Just please please please don't go to the local parts store and buy the "cheap" rotors.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2010 | 01:11 PM
  #3  
SidewaysV8's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

I know this will not be a "popular" response, but it is based upon my actual experience.

At 22k miles, my front rotors and stock pads were shot. The rotors had worn below the minimum thickness, and were grooved like crazy. I replaced them with the AC Delco OEM rotors. The difference was I put Akebono ACT ceramic pads on. I've put 16k on the new OEM rotors and ACT pads. No dust, no rotor scoring, lots of pad left, and the rotors still have plenty of meat on them. Just my $.02
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2010 | 01:23 PM
  #4  
LS1 Racing's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 6
From: 78°14′46″N 15°27′56″E
Default

Originally Posted by 94ss06gxp
ok so i need new front rotors and front pads, (the rears were replaced by the dealer when i bought the car) . is there anything wrong with running different brand rotors in the front than the rears? also im not stacked with money right know so can someone point me in the right direction for some front rotors!!?? thanks
Nothing wrong with having different brand rotors front and back.

I'm looking to replace the slotted/drilled rotors we got off ebay last year. They worked well for about 7 months (about 18k miles) but warped REALLY badly, due to the mountain roads we live on.

We're looking at Napa's Ultra Premium lifetime warranty rotors, as well as some of the high-end stuff sold on Tire Rack.

Not sure which way we're gonna go, though.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2010 | 02:35 PM
  #5  
dcrews's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Default

I have Autozone rotors on the front of mine. Just like OE, and works just fine.

I also have their CMAX pads, and they're ok. I'd rather trade some of the non-dusty for grip tho.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2010 | 07:16 AM
  #6  
94ss06gxp's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Mid MI
Default

thanks guys for the responses!!! i might check out what Napa has. they seem to have better parts. im going with ceramic pads.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 07:52 AM
  #7  
Kazmaniac's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
Default

115k on original brakes - although my rotors are warped a little.

My vote is stock pads w/ an aftermarket rotor. Agree w/ NAPA - anyone try the NAPA rotors?
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 12:29 PM
  #8  
94ss06gxp's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Mid MI
Default

Originally Posted by Kazmaniac
115k on original brakes - although my rotors are warped a little.

My vote is stock pads w/ an aftermarket rotor. Agree w/ NAPA - anyone try the NAPA rotors?
i cant stand the amount of brake dust i get with the stock pads, i have to clean my rims everyday.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 01:09 PM
  #9  
Hawkins04's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: Lawrencevile, GA
Default

i have the ebc red pads and they are pretty good as far as dust goes. i would buy them again
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 06:39 PM
  #10  
Kazmaniac's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 94ss06gxp
i cant stand the amount of brake dust i get with the stock pads, i have to clean my rims everyday.
My MCSS gets zero brake dust w/ factory pads.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 07:29 PM
  #11  
94ss06gxp's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Mid MI
Default

Originally Posted by Kazmaniac
My MCSS gets zero brake dust w/ factory pads.
hmmm, i honestly dont know if mine are OEM pads.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 08:01 PM
  #12  
DieselPump's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Default

Originally Posted by Hawkins04
i have the ebc red pads and they are pretty good as far as dust goes. i would buy them again
I just put those pads on last week with some new rotors and I'm getting that annoying brake squeal.

Just wondering if you ever had the squeal when you first installed them?
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 09:04 PM
  #13  
Hawkins04's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: Lawrencevile, GA
Default

they say to proper break them in it will take about 1k miles without heavy braking. after that it will go away. let me know how you like them when you drive on them for awhile.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 09:05 PM
  #14  
DieselPump's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Default

Thanks, and will do.

I'm liking them so far.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2010 | 09:07 PM
  #15  
Hawkins04's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: Lawrencevile, GA
Default

they arent the cheapest but they are great
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2010 | 04:12 PM
  #16  
05CherryGXP's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by LS1 Racing
t 18k miles) but warped REALLY badly, due to the mountain roads we live on.

We're looking at Napa's Ultra Premium lifetime warranty rotors, as well as some of the high-end stuff sold on Tire Rack.
The fact that NAPA warranties its "blank" rotors for a lifetime, but will only warranty the cross drilled rotors for 12 months/12k miles is telling. When I looked at the ultra premium lineup online though, they only listed the cross drilled ones as fitting the GXP. The Ultra Premium Crossdrills fit the GXP, but not the blanks, so I may be out of luck.

I've just warped my rotors for the second time in 5 years, so I'm going over to the blank pads. I'll miss the cross drilled looked, but I'll miss replacing my rotors even less.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2010 | 04:35 PM
  #17  
Hawkins04's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: Lawrencevile, GA
Default

is it true that the drilledrotors warp easier then the solid (blank)?
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2010 | 04:56 PM
  #18  
94ss06gxp's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Mid MI
Default

Originally Posted by Hawkins04
is it true that the drilledrotors warp easier then the solid (blank)?
thats something i would also like to know
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2010 | 11:01 PM
  #19  
Brangeta's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, TX
Default

I just had my front brakes and front rotors replaced at the Pontiac dealership last week. I had them put on ceramic pads which ended up being cheaper than the semi-metallic OEM ones surprisingly. They don't seem to stop nearly as well, but I've briefly read that ceramic are easier on rotors and produce less dust. So far so good on the dust... but the brakes don't seem as effective.

Since I had the dealership do everything, it ran me a little over $600, about half of which was labor. I was surprised the rotors were as cheap as they were. I expected them to be more expensive.

I kind of regret having them do that work though, as my front pads still had 4mm on them, and they replaced my front rotors so... seems to me, I could have gone another 6 months to maybe even 2 years (based on how little I drive) and just trashed the front rotors by running the pads to the point of needing to be changed and saved a bit of money in the long run.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:07 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE