As I understand it, the GT and V6 models have the same size brakes in the back, but the eight cylinder model has bigger ones in front.

If one were to find a wrecked GT in a junkyard, could the front brakes be salvaged and transplanted to a V6? If so, would it require upgrading to 17" wheels?

Anyone know what the braking distance is for a six versus a GT? (And how much of the difference is attributable to the brakes aside from the skinnier tires on the six)?

 

You would have to go to 17" wheels - the GTs larger front rotors/calipers won't fit inside a 16" wheel.

IMO it's not worth it. I think it's the tires that are mostly responible for the longer braking distance of the V6 compared to the GT.

 

bison
Is correct you would have to go to 17" wheels, but if you want better breaking distance go to a wider lower profile tire and you should improve your breaking distance, may also have to change out the stock struts to adjustable shocks.

 

Uhm, you guys are aware that the V6 has bigger rotors in the REAR than in the front??? The V6 front brakes are TOO small. When you stop hard, something like 70% of the braking force comes from the front brakes. The back is just trying to catch some air.

 

Yeah, that's why I was asking about the possibility of getting the bigger front rotors off a junkyard GT and transplanting them to my sixbanger. I don't have antilock or traction control, so at least that wouldn't be a problem. But it looks like I'd definitely need to get bigger wheels.

But that will have to wait. In the meantime, I do have an appointment at the tire place today to switch out my skinny 215 tires for some wider 235/60 x 16s.

 

The V6 has 293mm rotors in front, 300mm out back. The reason the front rotors are smaller is because the front dual-piston aluminum calipers take more room than the single-piston cast iron calipers in back.

The back rotors could probably be increased to 303-305mm, but they are maxed out in front. Take a look at the clearance between the front calipers and the wheel rims - it's tighter than on the GT, which has 316mm rotors inside its 17" wheels.

The swept area of the rear brakes may actually be smaller though, due to the size of the rear hubs.

 

How about some before and after pics? That would be nice.

 

Agh! Too late for before pics, I couldn't find my camera and now the new tires are in place. Definite improvement in appearance, hopefully in braking distance as well. I'll at least take some "afters".
The tire company gave me a $50/apiece credit for trading in the stock tires, and I bought a set of Kuhmos at $69.95 each, so it ended up costing me about twenty bucks per tire, plus installation.

 

man....shoulda went to lower profile...I have 245/50/16...but one bad thing is that it messes up your speedometer...

 

Wow, $70/tire. The tires I am looking at are $250/tire, what kind of performers are those?

 

I think he got the Khumo Ecsta KH11s.
Khumo ECSTA KH11

They look to be pretty good as far as performance goes.

 

Yes, that's what I've got. Had them on my 99 Firebird, and they were great...especially for the price.