Brake upgrades for Gen2/3 W-Body Vehicles - MORE TO BE ADDED

[ThatSlow.W204]

Front Brake Upgrades​

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F-Body Dual-Piston Swap

• Parts: 1998–2002 Camaro/Firebird calipers, brackets, pads, and 12-inch rotors.
• Why: Affordable and reliable performance boost.
• Wheel Fitment: Compatible with most factory 16-inch wheels.

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Grand Prix GXP 12.7-Inch Upgrade (ATS/GXP Hybrid)

• Parts: Cadillac ATS Brembo calipers, GXP brackets, GXP 12.7-inch rotors, ATS pads.
• Why: Large rotors with Brembo stopping power.
• Wheel Fitment: Requires 17-inch or larger wheels with adequate caliper-to-wheel clearance.

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Grand Prix GXP OEM Upgrade

• Parts: GXP dual-piston calipers, brackets, 12.7-inch rotors, and pads.
• Why: Bolt-on simplicity with solid performance.
• Wheel Fitment: Requires 17-inch wheels or larger.

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CTS-V Gen 1 14-Inch Big Brake Kit

• Parts: CTS-V Gen 1 calipers, brackets, 14-inch rotors, adapter bracket, custom brake lines, GT500 rotors.
• Why: Huge upgrade for stopping power and heat resistance.
• Wheel Fitment: Requires 18-inch wheels with sufficient caliper-to-wheel clearance.
• How to: LINK

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CTS-V Gen 2 15-Inch Big Brake Kit

• Parts: CTS-V Gen 2 Brembo 6-piston calipers, 15-inch rotors, adapter bracket, custom brake lines.
• Why: Extreme stopping power and modern performance for high-performance builds.
• Wheel Fitment: Requires 19-inch wheels (or some 18-inch wheels) with plenty of caliper-to-wheel clearance.

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Rear Brake Upgrades​

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CTS-V Rear Brake Swap

• Parts: CTS-V Brembo calipers, larger rotors (up to 14 inches), adapter bracket, custom brake lines.
• Why: Matches front CTS-V setup for balanced braking performance.
• Wheel Fitment: Requires 18-inch wheels or larger with sufficient caliper-to-wheel clearance.

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Grand Prix GXP Rear Upgrade

• Parts: GXP rear dual-piston calipers, brackets, larger rotors (11.7 inches).
• Why: Improved rear stopping power, balances upgraded fronts.
• Wheel Fitment: Compatible with 17-inch wheels or larger.

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Brake Lines​

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Braided Stainless Steel Lines

• Parts: Russell, StopTech, or Goodridge stainless lines (front and rear).
• Why: Firmer pedal feel, reduced expansion under pressure.

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Brake Fluid​

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Recommendations

• DOT 3: Stock replacement.
• DOT 4: High-performance and everyday use.
• DOT 5.1: Higher boiling point for enhanced performance on the street.

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Brands

• Castrol Brake Fluid (DOT 3, DOT 4)
• Valvoline SynPower Brake Fluid (DOT 3, DOT 4)
• Prestone DOT 3 Brake Fluid
• ATE Typ 200 (DOT 4)
• Royal Purple Brake Fluid (DOT 4)
• Mobil 1 Synthetic Brake Fluid (DOT 3 & 4)
• AMSOIL Synthetic Brake Fluid (DOT 3 & 4)
• Bosch ESI6 (DOT 3,4,5.1 Compatible)

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Flush Frequency

• Every 2–3 years or annually for high-mileage vehicles.

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Tips​

• Master Cylinder: Ensure it can handle larger calipers.
• Wheel Clearance: Most brake kits (besides F-body) require 17, 18, or 19-inch wheels with adequate caliper-to-wheel clearance. Check specs before purchasing.

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Disclaimer: Some Gen 3 W-body vehicles may require modifications to the e-brake mechanism when upgrading the rear brakes.

Brake upgrade page: LINK

Post your setups and results below!

 

Car Craft brake series/how to design a braking system

Rear Hub Bearings (Oh My)

[ThatSlow.W204]

More will be added to this, I forgot to mention some things, but this is a start and should be a help to many already.

 

[Last Indian]

If I can make one recommendation to your fluid list?! Bosch ESI6 brake fluid. Hands down non better by its chemistry alone.

 

[ThatSlow.W204]

If I can make one recommendation to your fluid list?! Bosch ESI6 brake fluid. Hands down non better by its chemistry alone.

Thank you! I will add this to the list.

 

[Robert]

This is all great info, i will need to use this to update our page Brake Upgrades

 

[Certified Shadetree]

Also you can upgrade the fronts to the 2012-2016 Impala/Impala Limited 9C1 police brakes. All you need is a set of rotors, calipers, and caliper brackets for the 9C1 (no need to source them from a boneyard, all of the components are available new from RockAuto.) The 9C1 rotors are 323mm vs the stock 303mm. The brackets mount to the stock knuckles and push the calipers out to clear the new rotors. The stock calipers will not fit the 9C1 brackets, so they must also be replaced with 9C1 specific calipers. No need for special brake pads, "civvie" model pads fit the 9C1 calipers. You WILL have to use 17" or larger wheels - 16's will not clear the calipers. Your spare tire will not fit the front calipers, either. The way around that is to locate a 17" spare from a Lucerne or DTS, or if you get a flat in the front, simply swap a rear wheel onto the front and put the spare on the rear.

Parts list available here:
(Part 1)
(Part 2)

 

[ThatSlow.W204]

Also you can upgrade the fronts to the 2012-2016 Impala/Impala Limited 9C1 police brakes. All you need is a set of rotors, calipers, and caliper brackets for the 9C1 (no need to source them from a boneyard, all of the components are available new from RockAuto.) The 9C1 rotors are 323mm vs the stock 303mm. The brackets mount to the stock knuckles and push the calipers out to clear the new rotors. The stock calipers will not fit the 9C1 brackets, so they must also be replaced with 9C1 specific calipers. No need for special brake pads, "civvie" model pads fit the 9C1 calipers. You WILL have to use 17" or larger wheels - 16's will not clear the calipers. Your spare tire will not fit the front calipers, either. The way around that is to locate a 17" spare from a Lucerne or DTS, or if you get a flat in the front, simply swap a rear wheel onto the front and put the spare on the rear.

Parts list available here:
(Part 1)
(Part 2)

Thanks for posting this haha, I totally forgot about that setup even though I was daily driving a 13 impala 9c1 and had to put brakes on it a while ago lol. Oops, glad it was mentioned