Front brakes from a 2006 GP on a 2003?

**Kilroy** · 07-30-2013

Is this even considered an upgrade? If so, is it completely plug and pray, or is there anything that needs modding?

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-30-2013

It really wouldnt be an upgrade at all.

Using a better pad on a quality rotor is a better idea.

Or you can do a F-body upgrade or a GXP upgrade, but you'll need 17's to run GXPs.

**matt5112** · 07-30-2013

Might as well just get the 00-05 impala caliper brackets and rotors. You'd get larger rotors, and keep your existing caliper which means it costs less and it takes less time as you don't need to bleed the brakes.

But you probably need new brake fluid anyways.

**The Guz** · 07-30-2013

Don't forget the calipers from an 06+ monte SS/ impala SS. They are larger and dual piston and bolt right up.

**dsmuts** · 07-30-2013

04+ brakes are quite a bit bigger. I'd say about an inch. You'll need the rotors, calipers, and brackets.

**matt5112** · 07-30-2013

Originally Posted by dsmuts

04+ brakes are quite a bit bigger. I'd say about an inch. You'll need the rotors, calipers, and brackets.

Theyre not an inch. The bracket only upgrade is larger.

**FordMan77** · 07-30-2013

Originally Posted by The Guz

Don't forget the calipers from an -6+ monte SS/ impala SS. They are larger and dual piston and bolt right up.

^This^. Just did this on my 00 GT and I'd have to say it's one of the best upgrades I've done. Bolted right up. Slap some new front lines on it, bend the line bracket out about 1 1/4" from where it currently sits (check for tire clearance from lock to lock) and bleed all 4 corners. Done. I've exchanged my fluid in the past and got away with using exactly 2 pints to get it clear again and the fronts bled. If you haven't changed fluid in a while (or ever) then I'd grab at least a quart.

With the Wagner ceramics it seems to be worthwhile. I had to actually "test" them out today when a minivan cut me off and I had to stomp the brakes. I was surprised by how fast it shed speed and didn't freak out the ABS. Nice and controlled.

**dsmuts** · 07-30-2013

Originally Posted by matt5112

Theyre not an inch. The bracket only upgrade is larger.

The rotor is close to an inch bigger

**matt5112** · 07-30-2013

Originally Posted by dsmuts

The rotor is close to an inch bigger

97-03 GP:

04-08 GP:

00-05 Impala:

Based on that, there is zero reason to go with the 04+ caliper and rotor unless you get a red hot deal on the calipers. Buying the brackets is cheaper and easier as you don't have to bleed the brakes.

So on the numbers game: 00+ Impala would be 0.98" larger. 04-08 GP would be 0.75". If three quarters is an inch, then 98% is two.

The 06+ Impala upgrade is:

Or 11.92" in 'murican.

The 06+ Impala upgrade is the dual pot caliper. It offers the same braking force as the F body upgrade, yet it bolts on without spacers or tapping the bracket. Downside is more limited pad options, thinner rotor and iron instead aluminum caliper. The iron caliper could actually be a benefit as it won't clamshell like the F body calipers eventually will.

Also since I finally made a spreadsheet for calculating brake force and bias, I'm going to run the GP stock options and upgrades and let Dave post them in his big brake thread. Yes, I'm going to take a simple average of the rotor diameter instead of using the OD.

**dsmuts** · 07-30-2013

Ehh .75" close enough

**matt5112** · 07-30-2013

Originally Posted by dsmuts

Ehh .75" close enough

The rotor diameter is for heat capacity anyways, not stopping force.

The size of the pot in the caliper and the coefficient of friction of the pad are the main influences in stopping force calculation.

**REDCRAPGP** · 07-30-2013

Not worth it when you start to price out parts. Your better off doing one of the other upgrades.

**blueguy** · 07-30-2013

Like a junkyard 12" bracket/00-05 Monte rotor setup.

**Kilroy** · 08-02-2013

So, the `06 Impala rotor, caliper, and bracket is a 100% bolt on? No drilling, no tapping, no bushing, just bleeding?

**matt5112** · 08-02-2013

Yes. Dont forget pads from that car as well.

Your car is old enough that youd want new hoses as well.

**l67ss** · 08-03-2013

The sway bar on the monte/impala is an upgrade too

**Kilroy** · 08-03-2013

Okay, going for broke here, any chance the rear brakes are an upgrade?

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**l67ss** · 08-03-2013

Same brakes on back steering rack on monte is tho 13:2 to1 ratio

**FordMan77** · 08-04-2013

The only rear brake upgrade that I'm aware of is the GXP rear brakes. I think those bolt on 100% with no adaptations/drilling, etc... Read the big bad brake thread to be sure on that one.