Thread: Parts Help on Brake Upgrade

2002 GTP, the setup I have now was done by the PO. Front calipers are stock, but caliper brackets and rotors are from an 02 Camaro (F-body?). Rear is 100% stock. The larger rotors help, but was wondering if it makes sense to go for the larger dual-piston Camaro calipers, or is there a better option?

Wheels are stock 16" torque stars, which I am thinking of upsizing to 17". Originally thought 18" but it rides pretty stiff with the Vogtland springs so I don't want to totally kill the ride. Brakes are also unsprung weight, so where's the tipping point where the rotors are TOO big? Should I upgrade now or wait until I have more room in the wheels?

The front brake lines were replaced with braided stainless, but they are almost too short and the clear plastic coating is starting to crack from overflexing. Are Camaro lines longer?

I did a bunch of reading on this, but still not clear on which parts work with which.

Ok thanks. I assume when looking up parts, I want an Impala with 5.3L V8. Are the "police package" brakes even bigger? I need calipers, cages, pads and rotors....the cages bolt right onto the GP knuckles?

The rears for the Impala look about like what I have now, any benefit to upgrading the rears?

Yes, cages = brackets.

FYI on the F-Body/IMP front brakes- Your factory spare will NOT fit over them. If you get a flat on the front you will have to put one of the rear tires up front and the spare on the rear. It's double work but worth it for the extra braking. There are some other rims that fit over them that can be had and still fit in the trunk well.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...-fit-over-them

Had the same problem on my 94 SHO when I upgraded brakes. Flat on the front means jacking up the rear to remove tire and install spare, then jacking front to swap good tire with flat tire. Steel belted radials are so good now, when was the last time you had a flat? I also carry a plug kit and small compressor, in some cases you can fix the tire without even taking it off the car if you can find the FOD.

Sooo....back to brakes. I guess my question is, if I have rotors and caliper brackets from an 02 Camaro (F-body), can't I just run calipers/pads from an 02 Camaro, or are there fitment issues? Is this better/worse/same compared to swapping everything over to 06 Impala brakes?

Good to know! How many miles you have on those R1 brakes? I've not been a fan of drilled/slotted rotors, all the ones I've had seem to "warp" early on and give me that crazy pedal pulsation.

So would you go F-body or 06 Impala? Does it matter?

Yeah, a link would be great, thanks again for the info. I've never seen rotors not rust, that's amazing!

Thanks, all I need are the F body calipers. Could have used these today, had the GP in Manhattan this morning and bigger brakes would have meant a little more room between me and the big bus that cut me off on 8th Ave.

I have the F body brackets, they were installed to accommodate the F body rotors, but the PO kept the stock calipers and pads. Not sure why?