GM/Brembo Performance brakes - thoughts + pics

[AWSMBLU]

I wanted to post something positive after not liking the GM perf. exhaust, overrated and a pass imo.

The Brembo brakes on the other hand, BUY them if you like pedal feel or are coming from a German car. I feel everything they quote in the release - 42% larger, 16.1 rotors, 84 percent increase in brake pad area, 31 percent reduction in pedal force and 12 percent reduction in pedal. Imo, well worth the money.

For me, I felt the stock brake pedal was mushy, especially on hard braking - how hard do I need to push to get some feedback or get it to stop? They never gave me confidence.

When bedding the rotors/pads today, they actually overpowered the tires and locked them up a little which is the feeling I would prefer. The stock brakes could never overpower the tires which is sad because the tires are made for a mileage goal and road noise (imo), thus not the stickiest compound available. The downside to the brakes, now I want to show them off and look for a new tire/wheel combo. Very happy with this addition. Yes, they are expensive but it is something I felt the first time I pressed the brake pedal.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

When I am ready for this upgrade over the stock setup, do we "have to" go via GM part numbers or can we buy direct thru Brembo? I would rather see "Brembo" vs "Performance".

I bought mine directly through a Brembo supplier (BuyBrakes.com). The turn around was incredibly fast. The rotors arrived first, and the custom color matched calipers arrived two days later.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

I've had my brakes for a while now, going on 3 years, and they've been fantastic. It's getting to be around that time where I need to shop for replacement pads, but I'm discovering that it's not all that easy. You'd think that Brembo parts would be pretty easy to acquire, but no. I've had to jump through a few hoops to narrow down the part number for my 8 pot brakes, but I was lucky to find them. The lowest price I was able to find them for was $850. Expensive yes, but can anyone put a price on their own well-being and safety.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my calipers when I first bought them. In total, I require 4 performance pads per caliper, so that's where the money is going. Do I regret my choice, no. They've given me a lot of confidence on the road, so I'm never worried about rear-ending someone at the last minute. If anything, it's the people behind me that I worry about more.

 

[GMCnewbee]

Great pictures and beautiful color match on the calipers. I did not realize how much larger the rotors are.

 

[AWSMBLU]

I've had my brakes for a while now, going on 3 years, and they've been fantastic. It's getting to be around that time where I need to shop for replacement pads, but I'm discovering that it's not all that easy. You'd think that Brembo parts would be pretty easy to acquire, but no. I've had to jump through a few hoops to narrow down the part number for my 8 pot brakes, but I was lucky to find them. The lowest price I was able to find them for was $850. Expensive yes, but can anyone put a price on their own well-being and safety.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my calipers when I first bought them. In total, I require 4 performance pads per caliper, so that's where the money is going. Do I regret my choice, no. They've given me a lot of confidence on the road, so I'm never worried about rear-ending someone at the last minute. If anything, it's the people behind me that I worry about more.

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Did you have them special painted color to match or come that way?

 

[ProfeZZor X]

Did you have them special painted color to match or come that way?

I had Brembo color match them before they shipped them. But, now they have a few nicks because of the idiotic installers. It's not too noticeable but they're not perfect anymore. I should have just had them plated in copper or bronze, but I was going for a subdued look at the time.

 

[RST Dana]

I've had my brakes for a while now, going on 3 years, and they've been fantastic. It's getting to be around that time where I need to shop for replacement pads, but I'm discovering that it's not all that easy. You'd think that Brembo parts would be pretty easy to acquire, but no. I've had to jump through a few hoops to narrow down the part number for my 8 pot brakes, but I was lucky to find them. The lowest price I was able to find them for was $850. Expensive yes, but can anyone put a price on their own well-being and safety.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my calipers when I first bought them. In total, I require 4 performance pads per caliper, so that's where the money is going. Do I regret my choice, no. They've given me a lot of confidence on the road, so I'm never worried about rear-ending someone at the last minute. If anything, it's the people behind me that I worry about more.

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How many miles did you get out of the original pads?

 

[ProfeZZor X]

How many miles did you get out of the original pads?

Not many... 6 months, if that. I was researching aftermarket items a year before I got the AT4 and already had an idea of what I wanted to get. Mine didn't come with the Brembo package from GMC, but I knew I wanted bigger brakes. The GMC Brembo rotors looked a bit small behind the stock wheels, so I did some research on 8 pot calipers and larger rotor options, and ended up with Brembo's GT BM8 kit.

 

[SaintMiles]

I put these on my Yukon. EVERYONE should have these. This beast stops like a little car. And this brake kit wears like a stock part. No extra noises, np extra dust. Just STOP. on. a. dime.
One negative...Replacement pads? 300+ bucks

 

[Polo08816]

I've had my brakes for a while now, going on 3 years, and they've been fantastic. It's getting to be around that time where I need to shop for replacement pads, but I'm discovering that it's not all that easy. You'd think that Brembo parts would be pretty easy to acquire, but no. I've had to jump through a few hoops to narrow down the part number for my 8 pot brakes, but I was lucky to find them. The lowest price I was able to find them for was $850. Expensive yes, but can anyone put a price on their own well-being and safety.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my calipers when I first bought them. In total, I require 4 performance pads per caliper, so that's where the money is going. Do I regret my choice, no. They've given me a lot of confidence on the road, so I'm never worried about rear-ending someone at the last minute. If anything, it's the people behind me that I worry about more.

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I'm curious how your rig stops compared to a Tahoe PPV in an instrumented panic stop situation.

I would imagine your tires would actually be the limiting factor (and not the brakes) compared to a Tahoe PPV that has the Firestone or the Goodyear Enforcers.