Brake upgrade for bigger wheels...

[pmf608]

I've had my 20's on for a few months now, and in that time have had my brakes completely redone. My problem is that with the 20's, my truck doesn't have enough stopping power from highway speeds and it is dangerous. Even with the brand new brakes, I can hit the brakes at full power, and they wont lock or clamp tight enough to slow me down as quickly as is sometimes needed.

I know this isnt an abs problem because my abs has NO functionality (wont kick in ever. dont care to fix it though because the problem of kicking in too much is more dangerous). If i lock the brakes on gravel, they stayed locked until i release the pedal.

Since my new brakes in june, i have had a couple of close calls, the most recent one today where if i hadnt had room to swerve, i wouldnt have the stopping power to avoid an accident. :grrrrrr:NOW to rant... i was driving down the highway at 120km/h today when the stupid woman in front of me slams on the brakes and turns into a service road to go to the other direction of traffic and go back. The problem - the posted signs that say not to drive there - and for that very reason. I am able to get my truck down to about 70 by the time shes down to about 40 and i swerved so hard when i realized i couldnt slow down enough that my front tires squealed - and they grip well enough that that takes a lot.:grrrrrr:

So... what would you suggest for upgrades to help me deal with this problem? Im thinking i probably wont get around to upgrades until the next time the brakes need work because i dont have the money, but i might as well plan ahead.

[canislupis69]

I am looking at the same thing since I am running 35 inch tires on 20 inch rims and have noticed a big difference in stopping power. SSBC makes a real nice big brake conversion kit, but it is pricey.

[grimreapersshadow]

well there are a few brands out there baer brakes is one ssbc is a very good one i one of there kits on the front of mine and its great i would also suggest slotted and cross drilled rotors for that extra bite then when your brake lines get old put on some braided lines and that will help also

[pmf608]

thanks guys. as if it wouldnt be delayed enough already to put the money together, i hit a tire on the road last night and im thinking i need to replace my oilpan now - crazy oil leak.:grrrrrr: anyway, like i said - brake upgrades are in distant future.

[Slik]

Sorry to hear about that oil leak.

For future reference, as mentioned above, brembo, stop tech, baer, and ssbc all have big brake kits for our trucks with slotted/drilled larger rotors and brakes. They aren't cheap, but definitely a very noticeable improvement over stock, especially if you're running larger rims/heavier rotating mass.

Plenty of places to get them from and a fair amount of choices as far as setups, but a few quick references can be found HERE (http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A2863A0A0A2610232.aspx).

Hope this helps.

[pmf608]

thanks guys. update on my oil pan... i got the truck up on ramps once it cooled off, and the tire i hit put a crack about 1.5 inches long right on the bottom of my oilpan - before bending the angled crossbar thing on the passenger side to match the bent driver side, denting my crappy stock muffler, and scraping my axle right between the shock and the differential (thankfully no damage done there though)

[kwconch021]

that tire really did some damage, how fast were you going? this helps me as well bc my rear brakes are drum and i want to convert to discs for the future, bc once i hit about 60k miles [after warranty] my trucks hittin the sky.

[pmf608]

I was doing about 110km/h so about 65mph - and wasnt watching for it because it was on the other side when i had gone the other way, and i was adjusting the heat or something.

And yea, thats the thing i don't like about the 2005+ trucks or whatever year they changed it. I dont understand why they went back to drum brakes from the 4 wheel disc setup my 2001 has. Could anybody shed some light on this?

[vms4evr]

Before converting to BBK and spending a bucket load of cash.. Try putting in some really aggressive front pads. You can get something like Carbotech Bobcat, Hawk HPS or HP SD. I've used most of the Carbotech and Hawk race pads they make. On track the braking force from really aggressive pads over stock pads is amazing. Same 2 piston caliper with plain rotors. Pads can make a big difference.

Keep in mind that if you can already engage ABS with your stock setup with better pads. Then you are overcoming the traction of the tires. A big StopTech 6-piston kit is not going to help. You'll just lock the tires up quicker.

Here is a link to Carbotech pads for Chevy Trucks. They cover most of them. Look at the Bobcat 1521. If you feel really aggressive the AX6 would work but they dust a lot and squeal. Forget the XP series. They are track pads. Their pads do dust but it is easy to clean off. They modulate very well.

http://www.ctbrakes.com/pads/chevy-trucks.html

One of my friends is driving a Surburban and towing a 24ft enclosed trailer loaded up with car and everything you can think of. It stops just fine with those Bobcat pads. No need for a BBK.

The Hawk HPS might be more than enough. The HP Super Duty might work. Never tried HP-SD pads or heard of anyone using them. Hawk does make good pads. I use their track and street pads also.

I haven't looked for rotors for this truck yet. But don't waste your money on drilled rotors. That is just bling. Slotted is ok but blanks are just fine. As long as they are good quality. I'm going to see if my supplier can find me some DBA rotors for the truck.

I'm not affiliated with any brake vendor. I just know what has worked for me and what I like.

[pmf608]

Before converting to BBK and spending a bucket load of cash.. Try putting in some really aggressive front pads. You can get something like Carbotech Bobcat, Hawk HPS or HP SD. I've used most of the Carbotech and Hawk race pads they make. On track the braking force from really aggressive pads over stock pads is amazing. Same 2 piston caliper with plain rotors. Pads can make a big difference.

Keep in mind that if you can already engage ABS with your stock setup with better pads. Then you are overcoming the traction of the tires. A big StopTech 6-piston kit is not going to help. You'll just lock the tires up quicker.

Here is a link to Carbotech pads for Chevy Trucks. They cover most of them. Look at the Bobcat 1521. If you feel really aggressive the AX6 would work but they dust a lot and squeal. Forget the XP series. They are track pads. Their pads do dust but it is easy to clean off. They modulate very well.

http://www.ctbrakes.com/pads/chevy-trucks.html

One of my friends is driving a Surburban and towing a 24ft enclosed trailer loaded up with car and everything you can think of. It stops just fine with those Bobcat pads. No need for a BBK.

The Hawk HPS might be more than enough. The HP Super Duty might work. Never tried HP-SD pads or heard of anyone using them. Hawk does make good pads. I use their track and street pads also.

I haven't looked for rotors for this truck yet. But don't waste your money on drilled rotors. That is just bling. Slotted is ok but blanks are just fine. As long as they are good quality. I'm going to see if my supplier can find me some DBA rotors for the truck.

I'm not affiliated with any brake vendor. I just know what has worked for me and what I like.
alright. that helps. my (not-so-concerned-about-it) brake problem is my abs does not work AT ALL. fine by me, since the common problem is that they engage at low speeds - id rather not have them at all than have that. my tires im more than happy with, the falken ziex s/tz 04's seem to grip nicely, but my brakes are not capable of locking them unless im on a loose surface. in my last close call because of brakes, i actually swerved so hard that my tires squealed from the turn, not the brakes. Unfortunately, the same night, i also hit a tire on the road, busting my oilpan, so that puts brake upgrades just that much farther away - and i have to be more careful. all these close calls are going to get me.

[adampaul1964]

To answer your question as to why the switch from 4 wheel disc to rear drum, I'm not 100% sure but I'd heard there was problems with the rear disc set up so they put bigger front brakes and drums on the '05's to reduce warranty costs.

[pmf608]

To answer your question as to why the switch from 4 wheel disc to rear drum, I'm not 100% sure but I'd heard there was problems with the rear disc set up so they put bigger front brakes and drums on the '05's to reduce warranty costs.
that makes sense. ive never had any problems with my rear discs, but thats just me. although, i think they are a bit small for fullsize trucks. i can feel the front bias.

[vms4evr]

alright. that helps. my (not-so-concerned-about-it) brake problem is my abs does not work AT ALL. fine by me, since the common problem is that they engage at low speeds - id rather not have them at all than have that. my tires im more than happy with, the falken ziex s/tz 04's seem to grip nicely, but my brakes are not capable of locking them unless im on a loose surface. in my last close call because of brakes, i actually swerved so hard that my tires squealed from the turn, not the brakes. Unfortunately, the same night, i also hit a tire on the road, busting my oilpan, so that puts brake upgrades just that much farther away - and i have to be more careful. all these close calls are going to get me.


So looking at your truck and the Carbotech price list. Front disc pads are about $120. You can even get rear drum pads for about $150. I'll probably order a set of front and rear and do both when I get enough time.

If you do swap pads remember to scuff the rotor faces really good with some 100 grit sandpaper. Forget paying for someone to turn the rotors. Most cheap places machines are out of spec and they usually cut the rotor wrong anyway.

Since you said you are not overcoming the Falcons under heavy braking then a more aggressive pad will help slow you down. Simple test is like this. On dry road, get the truck up to about 50, and stand on the brakes as hard as you can. Does the truck just stop or are you sliding? Screeching tires is fine as long as they are not sliding. Dealing without ABS is ok. Just remember without them you are now the modulator. So probably best to not just stand on the brake pedal. Apply force like you mean it then modulate more or less as the tires approach lockup. You can practice this on a quiet road.

Btw: If any of you decide to get Carbotechs and try them. Tell them you want the "Corvette Forum" discount. They take about 7-8% off the price. Not a lot but every bit helps. Will just about cover shipping.

Graham