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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.