DeathTongue

I'm about to do the front brakes on my 2004 GTO, and I'm wondering about the best set up. There's a lot of info out there on upgrading to 05/06 brakes, and a little info about using C5 corvette front pads on the 04 rotors. From what I gather, the biggest gain in the brake upgrade is that you get a bigger rotor. So, my question is, if I were to just use the 2004 style rotors and brakes, but use the corvette brake pads, how good is that compared to the regular 04 brakes or the complete 05/06 conversion? Somewhere in the middle? Or would it be almost as good as the whole conversion? Not much of a difference?


I actually like the brakes pretty well on my GTO, much better than the ones on my 2007 Grand Caravan SXT. But I just drive this car to work, and occasionally on road trips, so I don't need a lot of braking. Right now the plan is to replace the front rotors with some Centric Premiums and use Oreillys Corvette semi-metallic pads.

2QWK4RU 06 GOAT

iTrader: (1)

Later brakes are much larger in front and rear rotors are vented. The heat capacity is significantly better on the 05-06 parts. Rear rotor and pads are same except for vented part.

Felix C

For just safe driving around town...change the fluid to a high quality synthetic one and use C5 Z06 pads or generic equivalents up front.

If driving a bit more aggressively with plenty of high speed stops planned then upgrade the fronts to something larger. Can be 05/06 GTO or more. Depends on your budget.

Tire quality and tread condition are also a critical points here. I could show you a road test, when these cars were new, where a 2004 GTO braked shorter distance than a 2005 model. The larger brakes are better for repeated stops from higher speeds.

NB: DeathTongue? Seriously? You the next mass school shooter?

DeathTongue

I see that you are unfamiliar with Bloom County. You're really missing out. Although it is possible I may talk someone to death.

svede1212

iTrader: (3)

I did both. First I did the pads and then found a clean set of '05 brake parts to convert. Normal street driving I really couldn't tell the difference but during slow-downs from high speed like at the drag strip the bigger brakes shined. I used Hawk ceramics and they are quiet and clean.

Felix C

Not familiar and my apologizes for my comment then. I love humor but it went over my head.

DeathTongue

well then, meet DeathTongue!












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Rob

iTrader: (6)

I'm still rocking the C5 brake pads up front. Never had a problem, even on the road course in Memphis back in '05 for the F-Body Event. Much more pad than stock.

Having said that, I do have a set of '05's sitting in the shed. Just debating to put them on or not. I also have the brackets to put on 6 piston Brembo's. I haven't decided what direction I'm going yet.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

I hope so, you're comparing a muscle car to a mini van.

For what you're doing, you don't need anymore than a good set of stock rotors with some semi-aggresive street pads. Until you start tracking the car or going 170mph you don't need bigger brakes.