Another exciting and original intro thread

[GTP1997]

Hi folks-
I've been dropping by this site for a few months as a visitor and I figured it was finally time to sign up and make a post. I've owned a white 1997 GTP Coupe for a year and some change, and it's a terrific car. I bought it from the original owner via the dealer where he traded in. The chassis has barely 100k on it, but the engine had a complete professional tear-down and rebuild and the transmission was replaced with a factory new unit less than 20k before I picked it up. The car is in aesthetically terrible shape and has all the little issues common to these vehicles, but mechanically it's ballin'. Over the coming weeks I plan to take care of all the small quirks, and then move into building a modest daily driver street machine. First mod on the block: I'm going to the '04-'08 front brake setup and all new stock in the rear with stainless brake lines. The original brakes are trash so as long as I'm doing it I'll do it right. I'll be popping in from time to time to ask questions as I have them. Don't worry, though: I know where the search button is and this is not my first internet forum.

Best,
Guy

[Pepino]

WI.....where at?

and welcome

[GTP1997]

West-central. Eau Claire, to be precise.

[Odi]

Welcome! Read the Iowa meet thread, see if you can come

[matt5112]

I'd actually suggest running the 12" upgrade over the 04-08 front brake setup.

Its lighter and larger.

[GTP1997]

When you say 12" upgrade you're talking the 2-piston F-body kit, right? I've been thinking about both options and the reason I'm leaning towards the '04-'08 is that it's closer to stock and bolts right up like the original brakes, not to mention the lower price point. I'm hesitant to move too far from OEM standards at this early time in my modding life.

What I think I will do is put in the extended front brake lines now, though, so they'll be present if I decide to do the larger setup in the future. My goal at this point is "better", not necessarily "best".

Of course I've not yet bought any parts, and if the F-body kit is really that much better I'm still willing to go that way. Is the setup tricky at all or does it largely just bolt right up? (How hard is adapting the caliper bracket, getting the offset right, etc.?)

[Pepino]

this should answer your questions, also very informative

[GTP1997]

Thanks man, but that's actually the very first thread I found on this site via a Google search for Grand Prix brakes, and it's where I've found most of my information.

In any case, I'll move my tech questions to the appropriate section. I don't want to take a thread off on a tangent in the intro forum.

Also, I joined the WI chapter group. I'd be into any hangs or get-togethers that happen once I've got a car that actually stops when I hit the left pedal.

[matt5112]

I was thinking just of swapping caliper brackets and using the 12" rotors.

Then use a performance street pad.

[GTP1997]

That was my original plan, but it turns out my calipers are pretty useless. Three of them are very marginal and would probably give before I even broke in a new set of pads, and the right rear is completely thrashed. Fortunately I don't get a lot of drift under braking since so little bias is at the back, but it rattles and thumps the pedal pretty angrily most of the time. That rotor is warped, too, which certainly isn't helping. I have to do calipers and rotors all the way around. It wasn't nearly as bad when I bought the car, but it's been getting worse very quickly over the past couple of weeks. I knew the brakes would be the first thing to go but I didn't expect them to go so aggressively.

As long as I'm spending the money I guess it's best to spend a bit more and really upgrade the thing. I'm eyeballing the F-body kit on ZZP. I don't have the luxury of shopping around for used parts since the existing brakes are getting worse by the mile and I can't afford to be without the car for any length of time.

[matt5112]

go to the store and buy calipers/rotors/pads for a 2000-2005 impala.

If they ask, make sure you say the 12" rotors.

It will all bolt right up.

Less expensive than the F body yet you get upgraded brakes.

[Ballin00gtp]

^^ this..

works great did it to mine..

btw welcome

[GTP1997]

Now there's an idea that I didn't come across in my searches of the forum. I will definitely look into that in the morning. Thanks for the tip.

EDIT: Wait, is it Impala brakes in the rear too or just do new stock? I'm not finding any threads addressing that in my searches. I don't care about upgrading the rear brakes, but I do need to replace them.

[matt5112]

you could say you have a 2002 impala and ask for new stuff all around and it will all bolt up.

The rear stuff is the same.

Just have to run 16's unless you have cross laces (those wont work.)

[BillBoost37]

You could also pick up the F body calipers etc at the store. When I looked for the parts, I think my cost was $35 plus core charge. Return your cores and you are all set.

[GTP1997]

I've got the 5-spoke ABS 16-inchers, so no worries on clearance.

Just spoke with the shop, and of course they don't have anything in stock because that would be helpful. It'll be on the next truck and they'll call me when it's in and blah blah blah, so it'll be some time this week.

As long as I'm having to wait, I did nab the extended front stainless lines off ZZP so I can do bigger brakes in the future without worrying about the lines, and I got a full set of Hawk HPS for all 4 corners. Let's see how this turns out.

[matt5112]

biggest difference you'll notice will be from the pads.

rotor size will help since you have stock suspension.