Looking into upgrading front brakes on wife's 2009 2LT with rear drum. Saw where people have upgraded to Brembo 4 piston calipers.

See calipers listed at Advance for $113.00, acdelcodirect.com for $165.00, and rockauto for $110.00 (loaded). Rockauto also has a brembo caliper listed for $180.00 plus $150.00 core. Advance says for J55 option, other two say J56 option (think its a typo at advance).

Question is, are there two types of 4 piston calipers offered? Judging by the pics, they show a non-aluminum in all except for the one pic on Rockauto.

Do you use the stock rotors or change to the SS rotors as well? Will they fit under the stock wheels?

 

I don't think so. You need 18's I think.

 

Not much clearance with the Brembos on mine. My 18's only have around
3/4" between the rim and caliper. Some 17's will clear, but it would depend on the specific rim design.

 

While rim dia is critical..even more so is the clearance between the caliper and backside of the rim spokes..some wheels are curved for caliper clearance,,some are flat..Look at some of the newer cars with less then 1/4" clearance that have big brakes...

 

Guess I will have to get the calipers and rotors and try them on under the factory chrome rims.

Found a pair of used calipers off a Cobalt SS on eBay or can get some from Rockauto. Only problem I see with the ones from RA is it says they have been cleaned and coated which I think removed the Brembo name.

 

Well. Are you getting the Brembos for the improved braking or just to show off the Brembo name sticker?
You can always just try and find a set of stickers if you've got to have them. Here's a shot of what the original stickers look like.

Attachment 15263

 

Mainly for both reasons. Looks and better braking. Car is victory red so was going to paint calipers red to match.

 

Update on availability:
Locally, AutoZone has rebuilt Brembos listed for like 65 plus a core, but when you order them they want your old ones first to be sent in for repair. Advance only lists the right one available, and O'Rileys is special order/not available so not sure if you would get one or not. RockAuto has rebuilts available, but the pics show no crossover tube on the bottom. I bought new GM ones from Rock auto for $179 and no core charge.
Also from RockAuto are Raybestos Rotors for $36 that are top quality, balanced, and black coated so you don't have to paint them. Nice.
My question is with Brembo being such a rare option how are there so many rebuilts available(maybe) when the vehicles they came on are only 4 yrs old or less?

 

I would think these Brembos were available on other makes and models. I seriously doubt they're a "one off" caliper made just for the HHR/Cobalt.

 

Listed as fitting HHR and Cobalt. Thought it might fit the Saturn Ion as well.

When I worked for a towing/salvage company, any time a car was totaled by an insurance company there was a "watch" list for parts to remove for rebuild companies.

Reman companies would have a list of certain parts they would be interested in like calipers, alternators, starters.