Topic: Cobalt ss Brembo brake Theory

[ryansalazan]

So just out of curiosity, I've been looking into a whole bunch of information regarding the brembo brake swap from the cobalt ss. I have seen that even if you have the calipers on hand, its still looking to cost a little bit of money:

Arp longer studs 5 packages= $140 total?
Wheel spacers = $40 total?
Machining = $40 total?

Right there we are looking at about $220 just to get this kit on with stock rims and already having the brembo calipers and rotors on hand.

Well I think I may have found a solution to make the cost go down substantially!! Its a wheel spacer that has extended lugs, made of 6061 billet aluminum, and are about an 1'' thick with the perfect size hub diameter. They are also 5x110 to 5x110.

They cost about $75.00 for a pair. but after that, all your looking at needing is the machining for the rotor.

So about $75.00 + $40 = $115 - $220 = $105 saved

Here is the link of the spacers. I think for right now they are even 10% off.

http://www.motorcitybolton.com/wheel-adapters-wheel-spacers/5-lug-wheel-adapters-wheel-spacers/5x110-wheel-adapters/5x110-to-5x110-1-wheel-adapter.html

Tell me what you guys think!

[elff]

I have been running a similar spacer, from a different company, for over a decade now with no issues on my jeep.
In my case, I have a lot more stress than you would ever have as I am running mine with 37" tires.
Stock tires were 31"

One thing I would check is if this brand are Hub centric. 

[ebrown0104]

I just did the Brembo brake swap about 3 months ago.  The calipers are a fairly inexpensive part of the whole deal ($400 for a brand new pair).  I couldn't find aftermarket wheels I liked, so I did the ARP studs ($150) and a set of spacers from motorsport-tech.com ($200 shipped for 4).  I like the Motorsport spacers because they custom machine them per application - mine are 13mm thick and they are hubcentric and also have a lip for the wheel to sit hubcentric.  Now, the downside is that I had to machine off 1/4" from the snout on the hub so the spacers would sit flush (if you did a set without the wheel lip they would fit without machining, but your wheel is not going to line up exactly with the hub either).  Also, while I had the hubs getting turned down I had them remove the 70mm step for the front rotors, so my Cobalt rotors slide on without getting the center hole bored out.  I had the machining done for free by a friend, but you're probably looking at $100 or so to have it done.  I used a set of Centric rotors from tirerack.com ($135 shipped).

Honestly, if you can find a set of aftermarket wheels you like it would be a hell of a lot easier than changing out studs, machining hubs for spacers, taking everything apart, etc.  And it's probably not much difference in price if you go with 18's.

Another thing, those 1" spacers you're looking at are going to make your wheels stick out pretty far.  My wheels are exactly flush with the fenders with 13mm spacers. 

All my pictures are at home on my computer, but I'll post some up later.

[ryansalazan]

I have been running a similar spacer, from a different company, for over a decade now with no issues on my jeep.
In my case, I have a lot more stress than you would ever have as I am running mine with 37" tires.
Stock tires were 31"

One thing I would check is if this brand are Hub centric.

Hmm looks like I will have to be making a phone call to them about that.

[ryansalazan]

I just did the Brembo brake swap about 3 months ago.  The calipers are a fairly inexpensive part of the whole deal ($400 for a brand new pair).  I couldn't find aftermarket wheels I liked, so I did the ARP studs ($150) and a set of spacers from motorsport-tech.com ($200 shipped for 4).  I like the Motorsport spacers because they custom machine them per application - mine are 13mm thick and they are hubcentric and also have a lip for the wheel to sit hubcentric.  Now, the downside is that I had to machine off 1/4" from the snout on the hub so the spacers would sit flush (if you did a set without the wheel lip they would fit without machining, but your wheel is not going to line up exactly with the hub either).  Also, while I had the hubs getting turned down I had them remove the 70mm step for the front rotors, so my Cobalt rotors slide on without getting the center hole bored out.  I had the machining done for free by a friend, but you're probably looking at $100 or so to have it done.  I used a set of Centric rotors from tirerack.com ($135 shipped).

Honestly, if you can find a set of aftermarket wheels you like it would be a hell of a lot easier than changing out studs, machining hubs for spacers, taking everything apart, etc.  And it's probably not much difference in price if you go with 18's.

Another thing, those 1" spacers you're looking at are going to make your wheels stick out pretty far.  My wheels are exactly flush with the fenders with 13mm spacers. 

All my pictures are at home on my computer, but I'll post some up later.

Please post pictures up!! What are your impressions? I have the calipers and rotors on hand at the moment but dont have spacers or wheel lugs yet. I would love to just put a wider rim, but at the moment I cant do that. (recovering from school being paid) lol. I had a cobalt ss turbo and put slotted rotors on there with the hawk performance plus race pads and boy did that car stop!!!

[ebrown0104]

As far as impressions, I do like them more than the stock calipers.  They're much more responsive than the single piston slide calipers, but the ultimate braking power is probably not a whole lot different than stock.  With Hawk pads they'd definitely be better, but with a set of basic ceramic replacement pads they're still good.  Plus, along with the spacers, the car looks much more aggressive.

[ryansalazan]

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As far as impressions, I do like them more than the stock calipers.  They're much more responsive than the single piston slide calipers, but the ultimate braking power is probably not a whole lot different than stock.  With Hawk pads they'd definitely be better, but with a set of basic ceramic replacement pads they're still good.  Plus, along with the spacers, the car looks much more aggressive.

Man those look really good on there man! what size spacers were those again? looks like they were just the right size! and ya the look of the bigger rotor and caliper make the car look much more sporty