07+ Brake upgrade on a 00-06 NBS, is it worth it?

[Tonyrodz]

Reviving this thread because this is the next thing I want to get done to my 2005 Z71. I was going to order this kit for a 2010 and just wanted to make sure there won't be any issue with the brake hoses fitting my Tahoe. I have 18" rims on it already from a Silverado.

Chevrolet GMC Cadillac Front Ceramic Premium G-Coated Performance Brake Pad & Rotor Kit with Calipers TRQ Performance BKA72574

Order your Brake Pad & Rotor Kit - today at 1AAuto.com. Up To 50% Off Prices EveryDay! Get Fast & Free Shipping On Premium Quality Parts. Shop Now & Save!

www.1aauto.com

The stock hoses--in my case steel braided hoses--fit my 2010 calipers no problem. I also have a stock 2010 setup on my 03. I run 17's with them.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... just wanted to make sure there won't be any issue with the brake hoses fitting my Tahoe.

I used brand new 02 Tahoe brake hoses in my case.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I used brand new 02 Tahoe brake hoses in my case.

Good move. Cheap enough to replace.

 

[Roilux]

Reviving this thread because this is the next thing I want to get done to my 2005 Z71. I was going to order this kit for a 2010 and just wanted to make sure there won't be any issue with the brake hoses fitting my Tahoe. I have 18" rims on it already from a Silverado.

It was a straight forward bolt up swap going from stock '04 to larger '11 rotors and calipers for me. Locating copper washers was a bit frustrating. I did have to bend both inner dust (splash?) shields slighting to prevent them from rubbing on the larger rotors.

 

[noodlesandsam2]

Rim size is fine - you need 17. I did this back in 2011 to a 2001 1500 Yukon XL - Police package calipers for a T900 and T900 Rotors - good upgrade - I used SS Flex lines, but I remember it was from a T800 Kit.

 

[rickbustedasstaho]

Thanks Chris. Let us know how it turns out. Whether its a week or two from now, or 6-8 months from now please keep me posted.
I read about people doing this conversion all the time, but nobody ever states how much it actually improves the braking. Yeah, if your brakes are worn out and need to be replaced anyways, I'm sure there will be a HUGE difference in the way it stops. But if you already have good rotors and pads like I do, will this mod REALLY make much if any difference in stopping power and/or stopping distance ??

i did it an i am running 37x13.5x18 didn’t make that big of a difference .. if u have all the parts i would do it but i wouldn’t go out an spend all that money if i was to do it again .. i get most of my parts for free from my job

 

[Marky Dissod]

i did it an i am running 37x13.5x18 didn’t make that big of a difference ...

Great brakes + tires not designed to improve maximum panic braking = less-than-great brakes.
My braking got slightly worse when I went from a decidedly non-offroad set of tires to a set of offroad-ish tires.
Still glad I have 2010 Tahoe PPV front brake kit. No worries about fade during panic braking from 90MpH-0.

 

[rickbustedasstaho]

Great brakes + tires not designed to improve maximum panic braking = less-than-great brakes.
My braking got slightly worse when I went from a decidedly non-offroad set of tires to a set of offroad-ish tires.
Still glad I have 2010 Tahoe PPV front brake kit. No worries about fade during panic braking from 90MpH-0.

i didn’t think about the off road part i just did like a month ago i have not trying out that out yet my bad

 

[Marky Dissod]

i didn’t think about the off road part i just did like a month ago i have not trying out that out yet my bad

Ever witnessed a 'sporty' car with cheap schidty tires?
Long story, short: brakes, steering, and suspension are ALWAYS limited by the tires.
What limitations are you willing to pay for?

 

[rickbustedasstaho]

Ever witnessed a 'sporty' car with cheap schidty tires?
Long story, short: brakes, steering, and suspension are ALWAYS limited by the tires.
What limitations are you willing to pay for?

i am running 37x13.5x18 toyo

 

[BigBackHoe]

Definitely worth the upgrade, I did the same one and used just stock rotors and calipers from the 07. Definitely improves stopping force and distance

 

[Matahoe]

For those with the hydroboost brake system I wouldn't do the conversion. You are already getting superior stopping power.

 

[Marky Dissod]

For those with the HydroBoost brake system I wouldn't do the conversion. You are already getting superior braking power.

HydroBoost is for the brake pedal.
Bigger rotors are for brake fade resistance and thermal resilience.

If you do a maxpanic braking using HydroBoost on tiny GMT400-1500 rotors at 95MpH, you get a bad joke.
GMT900 rotors on my suckwind-boosted '02 Z71, I've no fear slamming the brakes on maximally @ 95MpH.

 

[Matahoe]

HydroBoost is for the brake pedal.
Bigger rotors are for brake fade resistance and thermal resilience.

Unless someone is using their vehicle outside the intended design limits then is there really a reason to upgrade? What's the point beside looking a bit different and costing more money? Is there any guarantee that a government vehicle inspector will not write me up, take away my license to drive or worse impound my vehicle if involved in an incident investigation?

Are others here doing the upgrade also upgrading the Master cylinder, lines and hoses leading up the each caliper? If not then I'm assuming all that stuff is the same as NBS?

 

[Marky Dissod]

Unless someone is using their vehicle outside the intended design limits, then is there really a reason to upgrade?
What's the point, beside looking a bit different and costing more money?

I've been accustomed to driving mid-90s Caprice 9C1s and a 2012 Chevy Caprice PPV by Holden -
ex-police cars whose size is no impediment to their ability to go, throw, and slow like smaller vehicles.

Then I bought an '02 Z71, test drove it moderately after a blizzard, appreciated that it kept going where / when my Caprices would get stuck.
HOWEVER a week after buying the Z71, I stepped on the brakes enthusiastically;
the brakes responded so lackadaisically, I went whiter than Jessica Chastain (I'm Puerto Rican). In short, unacceptable.
Luckily, I discovered the GMT900 front brake kit update (I don't say upgrade or mod).
Took a few min to convince my mech that the 2010 Suburban front brake kit would fit with no issues.
Under an hour later, "wow! The brackets, calipers, rotors and pads all fit like GM OE" said my mech.
"They are GM OE - for a 2010 Suburban. Luckily they fit like GM OE on my 02 Tahoe too."
Almost forgot - the slightly higher cost is so barely noticeable, I thought I was getting away with something;
have never hit 'Buy Now' faster in my life.

If my NYC streets weren't so tight I'd do 2500 mirrors, which are NOT outside the intended design limits of a Tahoe.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Is there any guarantee that a government vehicle inspector will not write me up, take away my license to drive or worse impound my vehicle,
if involved in an incident investigation?

From some Puerto Rican? Of course not - but I'd prefer to avoid incidents with the 2010 GM OE update,
than settle for turning white every time I step on the brakes a lil bit harder than normal,
or possibly hitting something/someone with the '02 GM OE krap.

Are others here doing the upgrade also upgrading the Master cylinder, lines and hoses leading up the each caliper?
If not then I'm assuming all that stuff is the same as GMT800?

I did not upgrade the Master cylinder, or the hard lines, or the hoses; those are still '02 GM OE.
Please note that there are likely GM OE upgrades for all those.
My experience with mid90s Caprice 9C1s show that greater rotor diameter AND mass are THE most important criteria,
followed by piston(s) and pad(s) force distribution on those larger rotors.

(Boylan's Ginger Ale costs reasonably more than Schwepp's / Canada Dry, so I won't complain, nor will I ever settle for Schwepp's or Canada Dry again.)

 

[Tonyrodz]

From some Puerto Rican? Of course not - but I'd prefer to avoid incidents with the 2010 GM OE update,
than settle for turning white every time I step on the brakes a lil bit harder than normal,
or possibly hitting something/someone with the '02 GM OE krap.I did not upgrade the Master cylinder, or the hard lines, or the hoses; those are still '02 GM OE.
Please note that there are likely GM OE upgrades for all those.
My experience with mid90s Caprice 9C1s show that greater rotor diameter AND mass are THE most important criteria,
followed by piston(s) and pad(s) force distribution on those larger rotors.

(Boylan's Ginger Ale costs reasonably more than Schwepp's / Canada Dry, so I won't complain, nor will I ever settle for Schwepp's or Canada Dry again.)

Puerto Rican? I never would've guessed--WEPA!! LOL
I also have the upgraded rotors, calipers, brackets and pads--along with braided stainless brake lines on all 4 corners on my 03. Everything upgraded except for the master cylinder. I didn't need it. The stopping distance is so much better then what stock was. It's a cheap upgrade that's totally worth it. Don't worry, no government stoolie is going to confiscate your ride for stopping better.

 

[noodlesandsam2]

Same - when I did this to the 01 1500 XL, it was just calipers and rotors. Lines, Master, all left alone ( Upgraded to flex stainless lines, but for regular 01 calipers )