Who makes decent rotors / brakes? Upgrade?
#1
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Who makes decent rotors / brakes? Upgrade?
Going forward in the next step of evolution on the LeSabre.
I think a main source of my vibration is these crappy chinese made rotors. (That and the LCA'* are getting replaced, too!)
I don't want drilled, or anything fancy. Its gonna see road salt here in the NY winter, so something that will stand up to rust. I know some places coat the center to ward off rusting. But I def don't need drilled, just another place for rust to form. Don't think I want slotted either, I really don't want to feel the vibrations that come with most slotted discs.
So whats out there that is any good, and most importantly, wont WARP! I evenly torque down my lugs, I'm very careful about this.. but the Wagner rotors from Advance are just junk. The rotors from NAPA are junk. I do a lot of braking in my daily route, since its all up and down hills, and mountain roads.
I hear good things about Hawk HPS pads, and EBC green stuff pads. My main concern is the rotors. Anyone believe its work the extra coin to get cryro treated discs?
I'm also interested to see if there is anyway to upgrade the stock brakes. With the upgraded FE5 suspension, I would like something a little extra in the braking department as well. I've read something about using Impala discs, or F Body calipers... but I can't remember what works on the H Body platform, versus all the reading I've done for the W body cars.
If theres an upgrade to be had for my 04 (it has stock 16" wheels) I will want to weigh that option as well.
Thanks gang!
I think a main source of my vibration is these crappy chinese made rotors. (That and the LCA'* are getting replaced, too!)
I don't want drilled, or anything fancy. Its gonna see road salt here in the NY winter, so something that will stand up to rust. I know some places coat the center to ward off rusting. But I def don't need drilled, just another place for rust to form. Don't think I want slotted either, I really don't want to feel the vibrations that come with most slotted discs.
So whats out there that is any good, and most importantly, wont WARP! I evenly torque down my lugs, I'm very careful about this.. but the Wagner rotors from Advance are just junk. The rotors from NAPA are junk. I do a lot of braking in my daily route, since its all up and down hills, and mountain roads.
I hear good things about Hawk HPS pads, and EBC green stuff pads. My main concern is the rotors. Anyone believe its work the extra coin to get cryro treated discs?
I'm also interested to see if there is anyway to upgrade the stock brakes. With the upgraded FE5 suspension, I would like something a little extra in the braking department as well. I've read something about using Impala discs, or F Body calipers... but I can't remember what works on the H Body platform, versus all the reading I've done for the W body cars.
If theres an upgrade to be had for my 04 (it has stock 16" wheels) I will want to weigh that option as well.
Thanks gang!
#3
Senior Member
Posts like a Supercharger
[QUOTE=SilverSleeper8704;1479878] So whats out there that is any good, and most importantly, wont WARP! I evenly torque down my lugs, I'm very careful about this.. but the Wagner rotors from Advance are just junk. The rotors from NAPA are junk. I do a lot of braking in my daily route, since its all up and down hills, and mountain roads.
I would recommend the High Tech rotors from Raybestos. From what people said that'* the Ultra rotor from NAPA. I have them on my 16-inch leSabre. They are great. I would recommend just standard OEM semimetallic pads, no ceramics. The rotors do have the hub heat painted black.
AND I'd make sure my back brakes were working well to help handle the brake work.
I would recommend the High Tech rotors from Raybestos. From what people said that'* the Ultra rotor from NAPA. I have them on my 16-inch leSabre. They are great. I would recommend just standard OEM semimetallic pads, no ceramics. The rotors do have the hub heat painted black.
AND I'd make sure my back brakes were working well to help handle the brake work.
#4
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Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
I do want a step up from stock performance though. I've heard some good things about Centric Cryrogen rotors. The reviews I've read have been mostly positive. Combine that with a Hawk HPS or EBC Green Stuff sounds like a decent combo. But has anyone had experience with Cryro rotors here? Are they worth it over the same brand non-treated rotors?
The main reason I ask about upgrades, are I need to replace the calipers as well. I know on the W body cars, I think you can upgrade with either F body or a 06+ Impala setup. But that is for those cars. I'm not sure what the possibilities are here, with an H body. Is there a dual piston caliper and bracket I can go with, that will still clear factory 16s? I plan on 18s next year, but need to keep the 16s for winter duty.
Its all a part of making this a really radical LeSabre. Its the anti-grandpa mobile. It already has HIDs, a full GXP suspension. Eventually I am going to top swap it, but I believe in handling and braking before horsepower. So if I'm going to be replacing a ton of stuff anyway, I'd rather upgrade now if its possible.
My biggest fear is the rotors warping. I do my own work, and always torque to spec. Even when I had new tires put on, I made the guy put down his impact an spec each lug as I stood there an watched him. Its just that these cheap rotors warp. Had nothing but bad experience with NAPA and Advance rotors on my Cruiser, and now the Buick. Same with my dads van. They all warp bad. My sisters 01 Regal LSE is starting to warp hers too, even though she does 99% highway driving, but again, they were the cheaper NAPA rotors I put on for her not even 6 months ago.
So, cliffs notes of above rant:
Want good upgrade rotors that wont warp. NAPA and Advance =bad past experiences.
Want to upgrade calipers if possible, since I'm going to replace them anyway.
Still has to fit under 16s for now, and be rust resistant.
Oh yeah, did I mention the things are warped enough now to rattle the teeth outta my head? They're kinda bad...
I should make an appointment with my dentist for dentures if this goes on much longer..lol
The main reason I ask about upgrades, are I need to replace the calipers as well. I know on the W body cars, I think you can upgrade with either F body or a 06+ Impala setup. But that is for those cars. I'm not sure what the possibilities are here, with an H body. Is there a dual piston caliper and bracket I can go with, that will still clear factory 16s? I plan on 18s next year, but need to keep the 16s for winter duty.
Its all a part of making this a really radical LeSabre. Its the anti-grandpa mobile. It already has HIDs, a full GXP suspension. Eventually I am going to top swap it, but I believe in handling and braking before horsepower. So if I'm going to be replacing a ton of stuff anyway, I'd rather upgrade now if its possible.
My biggest fear is the rotors warping. I do my own work, and always torque to spec. Even when I had new tires put on, I made the guy put down his impact an spec each lug as I stood there an watched him. Its just that these cheap rotors warp. Had nothing but bad experience with NAPA and Advance rotors on my Cruiser, and now the Buick. Same with my dads van. They all warp bad. My sisters 01 Regal LSE is starting to warp hers too, even though she does 99% highway driving, but again, they were the cheaper NAPA rotors I put on for her not even 6 months ago.
So, cliffs notes of above rant:
Want good upgrade rotors that wont warp. NAPA and Advance =bad past experiences.
Want to upgrade calipers if possible, since I'm going to replace them anyway.
Still has to fit under 16s for now, and be rust resistant.
Oh yeah, did I mention the things are warped enough now to rattle the teeth outta my head? They're kinda bad...
I should make an appointment with my dentist for dentures if this goes on much longer..lol
#5
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
I would recommend my new R1 Concepts rotors, but I've only had them for less than 24 hours. So far, they feel a lot stronger than the el-cheapo unknowns I had. Ask me again next winter.
But as long as you rinse off any exposed metal part on an above-freezing day, that'll keep the rust under reasonable control.
#6
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I still say Napa Adaptive One Pads and Rotors... Take it from a guy who makes Rotors Glow like cherries
If I can not warp them with my GXP all 4400 lbs of here I don't see where you and the Buick will.
I find they work well even after repeated stops.
I will likely be putting them on both the dually and 2500
If I can not warp them with my GXP all 4400 lbs of here I don't see where you and the Buick will.
I find they work well even after repeated stops.
I will likely be putting them on both the dually and 2500
#7
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So NAPA makes more than one quality level rotor? I musta been buying the cheapo ones then, cuz they warped faster than the Enterprise through deep space! Advance wagner rotors were even worse. They rust like I leave em in salt water every night. Never heard of the pads before. Only heard of the ones I mentioned, from several other car forums. We don't have many parts places to choose from around here, and most are so small they have to order everything anyway.
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