2004 CV8 brakes on standard wheels
Discussion
AP's were designed to fit with the standard 18 inch wheel, but they are expensive.
You can also retro fit used VXR brakes if you can find any.
VXR brakes will be a lot cheaper than AP's but you won't get the ultimate stopping power.
It really depends on what you want and how much you are prepared to spend.
I would stay away from standard brake pads as these usually caused issues with pad transfer on to the discs including AP's.
If you do go for AP's be aware that the disc will rust up quickly if left outside for long periods of time without regular use. This will cause the pads to stick to the discs and lock on.
I use pedders ceramic pads on my car so I don't have that problem, my car is garaged at the moment so no corrosion issues either.
So there you go, a few things to consider
You can also retro fit used VXR brakes if you can find any.
VXR brakes will be a lot cheaper than AP's but you won't get the ultimate stopping power.
It really depends on what you want and how much you are prepared to spend.
I would stay away from standard brake pads as these usually caused issues with pad transfer on to the discs including AP's.
If you do go for AP's be aware that the disc will rust up quickly if left outside for long periods of time without regular use. This will cause the pads to stick to the discs and lock on.
I use pedders ceramic pads on my car so I don't have that problem, my car is garaged at the moment so no corrosion issues either.
So there you go, a few things to consider
As far as I know the Pontiac GTO, was fitted with 17 inch wheels as standard. The 18 inch wheels were an option.
The 18 inch GTO wheel is the same as ours so if the Americans are fitting Bembo brakes and you can get them I can't see any problems. Hopefully some on here will clarify that point.
The 18 inch GTO wheel is the same as ours so if the Americans are fitting Bembo brakes and you can get them I can't see any problems. Hopefully some on here will clarify that point.
For reference here are the images I was talking about.
https://bohnmancustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019...
https://bohnmancustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019...
Are the GTO wheels in those pictures identical to the standard UK 18's? Something looks slightly different about them to me
https://bohnmancustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019...
https://bohnmancustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019...
Are the GTO wheels in those pictures identical to the standard UK 18's? Something looks slightly different about them to me
I cannot recommend the AP kit enough - it seems expensive at ~£2.5k, but it isn't.
You get 4 brand new significantly larger calipers, massive discs and pads.
It was an option on some versions of Monaro in Australia so a proven formula and direct fit - no adaptor brackets.
After having the kit on my VXR for sometime now and having to use them in anger a time or two, I can tell you that they work really, really well! Like rip your face off well! Like the best thing on the car well!
You get 4 brand new significantly larger calipers, massive discs and pads.
It was an option on some versions of Monaro in Australia so a proven formula and direct fit - no adaptor brackets.
After having the kit on my VXR for sometime now and having to use them in anger a time or two, I can tell you that they work really, really well! Like rip your face off well! Like the best thing on the car well!
my 03 plate ls1 ute with only a remap , standard brakes were ok with good pads , my 04 cv8 n/a but lots more mods plus a focus pack around 100bhp extra , i had to go AP as brakes simply could not do what they were there for , ap’s are not cheap but a great upgrade , saved me in the isle of man with some one not looking what they were doing , it makes the car a lot more useable as you know you have good brakes , plus with a slight trim on the calliper do fit under the standard cv8 wheels
Walkinshaw performance will sell you a set of AP's. They sometimes have them in stock otherwise you might have to wait for a set to be made.
You might find a used set for sale but they are still going to be expensive and to be honest it's a risk doing that. If you need to rebuild a used set the total cost will probably be more expensive than a brand new set.
Be aware AP's are not a fit and forget option, you have to look after them.
A couple of golden rules.
Dont put your car away in a garage with wet brakes, get some heat into them to dry them off.
Don't sit at a junction with your foot on the brake pedal. It's likely to lead to brake pad resin transfer if they are hot. This will cause all sorts of issues over time.
When the brakes are new follow the bedding in procedure provided with the kit, if you ignore these instructions then....
will follow.
I hope that lot helps.
John
You might find a used set for sale but they are still going to be expensive and to be honest it's a risk doing that. If you need to rebuild a used set the total cost will probably be more expensive than a brand new set.
Be aware AP's are not a fit and forget option, you have to look after them.
A couple of golden rules.
Dont put your car away in a garage with wet brakes, get some heat into them to dry them off.
Don't sit at a junction with your foot on the brake pedal. It's likely to lead to brake pad resin transfer if they are hot. This will cause all sorts of issues over time.
When the brakes are new follow the bedding in procedure provided with the kit, if you ignore these instructions then....
will follow.I hope that lot helps.
John
Edited by mfp4073 on Wednesday 12th August 08:46
other people have used other options , but when AP do a good set up then it’s a bit of a no brainier route , it’s built for the car and works well , worth doing braided hoses too as your standard pipes will be showing their age , i got my braided ones on ebay for 120£ delivered , my Ap’s were fitted quite a few years ago , it’s still on original discs and pads and even with some spirited driving it has minimal wear
Aussie Monaro owner chiming in here.
I did the CTS-V/Camaro SS 4-pot Brembo brake upgrade last year, having slowly acquired all the various parts to do the job (pads, rotors, braided lines, new master-cyl etc). They fit under the standard CV8 18" wheels with the Bohnman customs caliper kit but there is bugger-all clearance up front (it's close enough that stick-on wheel weights cannot be mounted in the usual spot behind the spokes as they get knocked off by the caliper).
My reason for going the Brembo route was mainly that calipers can be had quite cheaply on ebay from the USA, and that being a GM part means stuff like pads, pipes, seals etc can be bought very cheaply from RockAuto etc. I bought a used set of calipers, and had them stripped, recoated and new pistons and seals installed.
I've had them on now for almost a year and had no problems with them, and the stopping performance is a vast improvement over the standard setup.
I did the CTS-V/Camaro SS 4-pot Brembo brake upgrade last year, having slowly acquired all the various parts to do the job (pads, rotors, braided lines, new master-cyl etc). They fit under the standard CV8 18" wheels with the Bohnman customs caliper kit but there is bugger-all clearance up front (it's close enough that stick-on wheel weights cannot be mounted in the usual spot behind the spokes as they get knocked off by the caliper).
My reason for going the Brembo route was mainly that calipers can be had quite cheaply on ebay from the USA, and that being a GM part means stuff like pads, pipes, seals etc can be bought very cheaply from RockAuto etc. I bought a used set of calipers, and had them stripped, recoated and new pistons and seals installed.
I've had them on now for almost a year and had no problems with them, and the stopping performance is a vast improvement over the standard setup.
if it’s used regularly then it will be fine , the standard ap disc from what i am aware of , has a higher iron content so can rust a bit quicker , the higher iron content is for getting rid of heat better , so in theory any performance disc could have same issues , mine is garaged with ap’s , when it was not garages , if it was not used for a few days it was fine even when it was raining
leviCV8 said:
Some great replies here everyone thank you.
I just wanted to note that the car is not garaged and used rain or shine. It seems there could be some concern with the APs if they are not protected? Maybe Brembos would hold up better over time in the wet etc?
It's only the discs that have surface rust because of the iron content in the discs but no issues with the AP callipers if the car is used at least once a week no issues as I had APs on mine and it was used at weekends and parked outside all year on a busy roadI just wanted to note that the car is not garaged and used rain or shine. It seems there could be some concern with the APs if they are not protected? Maybe Brembos would hold up better over time in the wet etc?
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