GTO Brake SWAP LOG. - Page 5

batboy · #41 (**permalink**) 01-21-08, 02:43 PM

Howdy, I'm one of the guys from the LS1GTO forum. I tried to talk my wife into getting a Catera last month when she was looking, but she bought a Mitsubishi instead (women, sheesh).

I have a 04 GTO that I upgraded to larger 05 brakes. That means I have extra 04 GTO parts laying around gathering dust. My wife would like to see them gone. I changed brakes at around 10k miles, so they are in excellent condition. I have pics if anyone is interested.

I saw some discussion about whether 16" wheels will fit over 04 calipers. I have no personal experience, but I've seen others on my forum use 16" wheels. The 05/06 GTO calipers are bigger and a 16" wheel definitely don't fit over the bigger brakes. Now I don't know if Catera 16" wheels have less offset or are thicker than what others used. The standard wheel on a 04 GTO is indeed 17", so to be perfectly safe, that might be your best course of action if you do upgrade.

I've also heard the rear shocks and coil springs from the GTO will fit on the Catera. These supposedly are much better than the stock stuff. I also have those too, since I've also upgrade my suspension.

Glad to see folks over here are doing some mods to make their Cateras more sporty. The GTO and Catera are distance cousins and you might find other stuff that will interchange. Good luck.

Cadi Cat · #42 (**permalink**) 01-21-08, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CateraMV6

Woahhh looks pretty... come on lets see the swap... show some more pictures... I am happy to report that in the last 15K miles that I have put on the car I had no issues with the new brakes, they function just like the stock ones, only problem being that the ABS has to work harder under slippery conditions but an easy fix to that is some wider tires up front...

What do you mean they have to work harder? Meaning the ABS isn't as effective?

CateraMV6 · #43 (**permalink**) 03-05-08, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadi Cat

What do you mean they have to work harder? Meaning the ABS isn't as effective?

Well before the upgrade, I could step on the pedal as hard as I can and I could never lock the brakes up, on dry pavement that is... the car just sort of came to a stop and that was it... now with the larger brakes the front wheels actually lock up and the abs has to kick in, and that only happens during really hard panick stops... but the important part is that it stops like hell... I have put them through some pretty abusive driving including an AutoX course and a lot of Chicago traffic stuff, and so far no brake fade or anything of that sort... just solid pedal feel and big smiles...
In normal condtioins I would say that you wont notice any difference in brake feel or braking forces... but in those special moments you know you can count on them...

Catera · #44 (**permalink**) 03-05-08, 03:20 PM

Hi,
pics from my brakes comming in 2-3 weeks.

Greets

sccatera97 · #45 (**permalink**) 03-19-08, 10:01 PM

I just got a set of 2004 calipers and rotors of ebay for $37.00 including shipping. Can't use the rotors, but for the price who really caresAnd yes they do fit a 1997.

And they will fit under stock 16 inch wheels if you want to retain them.

CateraMV6 · #46 (**permalink**) 03-19-08, 10:17 PM

Good news... So they fit all models then... did you use the GTO hose or did you stick with the catera one...

And the price is great too... I got mine for 50$ shipped from the GTO forums... they were almost new...

sccatera97 · #47 (**permalink**) 03-19-08, 10:57 PM

The ones I got have 22,000 miles. I used the GTO to make sure I have enough slack in the lines. Best thing is by fitting the 16 inch wheel it gives so many options for wheels. The car I am building is being set up as if it was an original package option on the Catera so I am sticking with the stock, chrome wheels.It's great having a spare Catera to try fitting parts on so I don't have to disable my primary one.