Finally had a chance to try the new brakes out yesterday. Its basically been raining or overcast every day since I installed my brakes, but yesterday there was a break of sunshine so I took the car out on a cruise before I had to go to work. I figured I would also "bed in" the pads while I was at it.
I headed out to a local road back in the country that basically consists of hairpin turns (due to divided farm land) and a couple straights.
I started off easy to get everything warmed up, but after the first turn, I really started to get on it. The brakes really surprised me. As normal as they feel around town, they are the exact opposite when you push them hard, they REALLY perform. I was hitting well over 80 on some of the straights, and then just diving into the brakes carving the corner. Its ridiculous how much faster you can carve up a road when you can push your brakes this hard. Reminds me of how my friend drives his STI on backroads, only these brakes feel even more capable (much bigger rotors than STI). Basically you can just put full faith in them that they will stop you no matter how agressive you are, and I noticed no fade at all, even after repeated hard braking.
I also bedded in the pads on the one long straight. I did 80-10MPH, pushed the pedal as hard as possible, and I think it almost knocked the wind out of me. I wasn't expecting that kind of force, its amazing how hard they grab.
If you drive your car hard or use it for track use, this upgrade is worth every penny and then some. Huge improvement over the stock brakes, and the stock PBR's weren't too shabby to begin with.
I take it these wont fit with stock 17" 10 spoke SS wheels?
no. they will not, need minimum of 8's, and that might still need spacers. oem C6 ZO6's fit. i'm getting deep dish C6 ZO6's, most likely need a spacer, might put one on just for added assurance.
The stock calipers and rotors are pretty good when you swap to agressive pads. It's just the OEM F-body pads really suck.
Now that you have used them a bit, do they still ramp up in grip or do they grab as soon as you touch the pedal?
They ramp up slowly as you push the pedal, not grabby at all.
They are very progressive, but as you push the pedal, they grab exponentially harder!! So by the time you're really hard on the pedal, it feels like you let the parachute out!!
They ramp up slowly as you push the pedal, not grabby at all.
They are very progressive, but as you push the pedal, they grab exponentially harder!! So by the time you're really hard on the pedal, it feels like you let the parachute out!!
Hmmm, I've had pads like that before. They have an advantage on a race track in that they don't upset the suspension when you slow down. Such as when braking into a corner. Some people like that, but not me. I prefer to have the car slammed to a halt at the first press of the pedal. I'll probably get me some Carbotech™ AX6 pads. They have the strong initial bite I like.
Hmmm, I've had pads like that before. They have an advantage on a race track in that they don't upset the suspension when you slow down. Such as when braking into a corner. Some people like that, but not me. I prefer to have the car slammed to a halt at the first press of the pedal. I'll probably get me some Carbotech™ AX6 pads. They have the strong initial bite I like.
I like the strong initial bite as well. You can tell the stock CTS-V pads are designed for an OEM appliaction being that they are so linear.
thanks for the info....great job OP!! and thanks GM/JasonWW for making it so Easy!
seems like the best bang-for-buck brake upgrade. I would be interested to see side by side 60-0 mph tests.
Will be doing this mod soon.
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Late Model Specialties
1994 Camaro- 6.5L Diesel-HX35W-4L80E-ATA cooler-Transgo-Racor R90S-UMI-TCI-SSBC-DB2 4974-Walbro LP-EGT-LS1 brakes-fuel cell-roll bar
I have 53mm offset on ZO7 wheels. Will the spacers you got from Eibach work well, or should I try to find ones that will more closely fit? Thanks for the great write-up! You've inspired me to do this!
I have 53mm offset on ZO7 wheels. Will the spacers you got from Eibach work well, or should I try to find ones that will more closely fit? Thanks for the great write-up! You've inspired me to do this!
The Eibach spacers will push your wheels slightly further out than mine are, because you have an offset of 3mm less. So your total offset will end up being 38mm, which is more than the 40mm that a stock Covette has.
However, that should leave more than enough room for caliper clearance.
If you have any other questions about the upgrade just let me know!!
The Eibach spacers will push your wheels slightly further out than mine are, because you have an offset of 3mm less. So your total offset will end up being 38mm, which is more than the 40mm that a stock Covette has.
However, that should leave more than enough room for caliper clearance.
If you have any other questions about the upgrade just let me know!!
Perfect... that's what I needed to know! Thanks again, and if I come up with any other questions, damn right I'll be asking you!
I'll probably get me some Carbotech™ AX6 pads. They have the strong initial bite I like.
