Brake upgrades (VE Ute)

[91964]

Just a quick one guys. Was thinking of upgrading the front brakes on my VE SS UTE to VXR8, would I need anything more than the callipers, discs and pads? Or are the struts different in that way?
Many thanks

[motomk]

You found their main weakness already, brakes!
If you have easy access to the VXR8 brakes then yes they are probably the best ones. The Brembos are much more plentiful worldwide as they were on the Holden Redline cars and Pontiac GXP. HSV even used them on the HSV GXP cars. VE/VF redline only had Brembos on the front. VFII had them front and back.
If you go on US Ebay, there are also the 5th gen Camaro brakes that can be made to fit or they have kits for them as they are on the same platform.
All the suspension should be ok, maybe dust covers if it has them might need adjusting. Wheels are also an issue as some big brakes don't fit under stock VE SS/SSV wheels. You have to be careful with the caliper fitment bolts if you go with Brembos as some use a different bolt.

My old VE SSV Ute had GXP Brembos on the front. I nearly overtightened the brakelines as they had already bottomed out in the caliper. This also involved changing wheels.

Next car was a VE II SS sedan with stock 18 inch wheels, I didn't want to change the wheels on this. I put Harrop mono block brakes on the front of this. Left the backs alone, not cheap though.

My VF vehicles have mainly had Brembos on them. But have started with Caprice PPV brakes on them which are probably the cheapest upgrade and fit under all the wheels. Will be near on impossible to find over there but easy in the USA.

Edited by motomk on Thursday 19th November 14:14

[H5V VE]

What you need is someone who has recently upgraded their VXR8 callipers and discs........

[91964]

Thanks for info. I have found a pair of vxr8 callipers for sale (£300 the pair) so if a nice new set of discs and pads was all I needed to get going I would order them up. Just didn’t want to get into conversation plates or anything.

[91964]

These are the ones I want to fit. From a 6.2 vxr8

[motomk]

Fronts should bolt on with new pads and discs. Might have to use the supplied brake-lines.
Rears involve removing the lip on the brake dust shields.

https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/help-...
https://www.carmodder.com/search_doc.php?make_id=0...

[91964]

motomk said:

Fronts should bolt on with new pads and discs. Might have to use the supplied brake-lines.
Rears involve removing the lip on the brake dust shields.

https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/help-...
https://www.carmodder.com/search_doc.php?make_id=0...

That’s great. The ones on these callipers have been cut but if I order new VXR8 braided ones that will do the trick I assume?
Thanks for the help as always guys!

[motomk]

91964 said:

That’s great. The ones on these callipers have been cut but if I order new VXR8 braided ones that will do the trick I assume?
Thanks for the help as always guys!

Stock ones might fit, not sure if they are long enough though.
You may need to remove the body mounting bracket from the stock ones and put them on the new braided ones.
You might be able to get away without the bracket, not sure.
I don't have any info on that as I have used the stock lines on all the brake swaps I have completed.
Someone over there must have the (HEL??) braided lines installed and can let you know??
Is it the backs as well?