Affordable Brembo Brake Upgrade Ideas: Uncovering Crashed Cadillac Options

Cheaper Brake Upgrades for Your Performance Car

Brakes are often the first performance mod that everyone recommends, but they can also be a costly upgrade, especially if you’re looking for big brakes. Big brakes can set you back a cool $1,000 per axle, even on lightweight platforms. However, you don’t have to break the bank to get the performance you’re looking for. In this article, we’ll explore cheaper ways to upgrade your brakes, using parts from Cadillac’s luxury lineup.

A Cadillac Solution

You might not think of Cadillac as a source for affordable performance parts, but they have a surprising number of cheap options. The Cadillac ATS, for example, has used four-piston Brembo front calipers since its inception, even on base models. These calipers are branded as GM’s in-house parts brand, ACDelco, and are widely available new for under $150 per corner. Add an adapter kit, and you can upgrade to four-piston Brembo front brakes for as little as $500 all-in on some platforms.

CTS-V Upgrades

If you’re looking for more aggressive upgrades, you can also use parts from the CTS-V, a spicier variant of the CTS lineup. The first-generation CTS-V used four-piston Brembos at all four corners, while the second-generation upgraded its fronts to six-piston units. These calipers are still relatively affordable, especially if you’re willing to buy off-brand eBay parts.

Adapter Kits and Supported Cars

Several aftermarket shops offer adapter kits to fit these Cadillac brakes to a broader range of chassis. Here are a few examples:

• CTSVBrakeSwap.com supports the Subaru WRX, Forester, BRZ, and more, plus CTS calipers for DSMs, Nissan S-chassis, and Z32 300ZX.
• S&S Engineering makes ATS and XTS brakes compatible with the Ford Mustang and Ranger.
• SCG Performance offers CTS brake kits for Nissans and Toyotas, including the S-chassis, Z, and Skyline, as well as JZXes and JZAs, which include the Crown, Soarer, Altezza, Supra, and Lexus IS and SC.

What to Consider

While these kits can be a cost-effective way to upgrade your brakes, it’s essential to consider a few things:

• Larger rear brakes may be necessary to maintain proper brake balance, which could throw off your car’s factory braking performance.
• The extra brake pistons may require more pedal pressure for the same stopping power, and you may need to upsize your master cylinder to compensate.
• Bolt-on brake upgrades can be more complex than you expect in terms of installation, and may not be necessary if you haven’t already met the limits of your car’s brakes.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a cheaper way to upgrade your brakes, these Cadillac parts and adapter kits might be worth exploring. While there are some compromises to consider, the benefits of improved braking performance can be significant. So why not give it a try and see what you’re missing out on?