ACLR8R

Previous owner put just some duralast brakes on the car before i bought it, and I am looking at improving the braking. I know the Brembo pads are good, I just have a hard time spending like $200 on a pad swap. Its just a spirited driving daily car, no track days or auto x.

Any less expensive performance options that are recommended? (Hawk, EBC, etc...)

I have searched but didnt find any good threads that weren't pretty old, and I know they have changed to formulas on some of the pads.

Thanks

RJ_RS_SS_350

Seems the cobalt SS/TC guys like the OEM pads, found this, among others. SS/TC Front Pads & Rotors - Cobalt SS Network

ACLR8R

Thanks, thats what I have seen as well. Its just so pricey for a set of pads!

RJ_RS_SS_350

Just Google 171-1012 . Summit and Amazon are just under $140. Found this also Ferodo HP1000/1FF Front Disc Brake Pad Set GM Chevrolet Cobalt 171-1012 | Southern Surplus Inc.

ACLR8R

That link is a better deal! But still with buying rears it will be $160+. I guess I am just cheap, lol

RJ_RS_SS_350

I hear ya. I gotta look at mine, too. Did you make sure you need rears?

ACLR8R

I dont "need" either, but they are just crappy autozone replacements

RJ_RS_SS_350

Oh yeah, you said that. Short term memory lol. Consider just replacing the front then, the rears aren't contributing much anyway. You might not even notice a difference changing the rear.

RJ_RS_SS_350

I don't know what's more important than brakes, I just dropped $210 +tax for OEM front and rear @ Amazon. Ouch

Blue_SS

OEMs ARE Ferodos. Actually quite good pads. I have a non-Brembo '08, and I prefer Hawks on this car to EBC (preference from my last car). The Hawks seem to bite quicker on my setup. Since I bought mine used, I've never had the Ferodos on it to see how they rank.

I am a former regional autocross champ, who "doesn't do that anymore". However, I do know what works best for me. On all cars that I have tried them, EBCs do not like cold, such as 10*F mornings. You had to get heat in them before they did anything.