Mounted ss rotors without changing caliper!
11-19-2013, 10:02 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-07-2011
Location: SE Mich
Posts: 2,180
Yes, this will work, & is better than the HHR SS front brake setup...
Don't know what in the world That GM was thinking when designing the HHR brake systems...
When designing the HHR, I'm thinking that the engineers treated it as a 'truck', with hauling capabilitys, & it was listed as a 'truck', by GM.
The front rotors are heavy, Appox: 16 lbs, & aren't used on any other GM vehicles. The front calipers have a 60mm piston, & is a common caliper used with other GM vehicles.
After a few years, the HHR SS came along...
The front rotors are 3/4" bigger in diameter, at 11.65", & Appox: 1 lb heavier.
BUT, they also put on a strange caliper, with a smaller 54mm piston. This small piston caliper isn't used on but a few GM vehicles. Don't know why GM did this ??
So by going with the bigger SS rotor, with the stock HHR caliper, you'll have better , stronger braking, on your HHR LS or LT.
In fact, this same 'combo', is used on my factory stock 2004 Malibu Maxx, which also has the exact same rear discs, & calipers as my HHR SS.
And yes, my 2004 Malibu Maxx braking, feels better than my stock 2009 HHR SS brakes. Makes you wonder why GM does, what it does...
I did think that maybe the master cylinders were different, but they aren't.
The HHR LT , with stability control, master cylinder, is the same as used on the HHR SS.
I have done some testing:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...px_329693.jpeg
I'm running a brake setup that works very well for me, for the 1/4 mile, & as a DD.
1996 Honda Accord 11.5 lb front rotors, & 2012 Honda Civic SI 7.5 Lb rear rotors.
I'm also using the standard HHR front calipers, with the bigger 60mm pistons.
Don't know what in the world That GM was thinking when designing the HHR brake systems...
When designing the HHR, I'm thinking that the engineers treated it as a 'truck', with hauling capabilitys, & it was listed as a 'truck', by GM.
The front rotors are heavy, Appox: 16 lbs, & aren't used on any other GM vehicles. The front calipers have a 60mm piston, & is a common caliper used with other GM vehicles.
After a few years, the HHR SS came along...
The front rotors are 3/4" bigger in diameter, at 11.65", & Appox: 1 lb heavier.
BUT, they also put on a strange caliper, with a smaller 54mm piston. This small piston caliper isn't used on but a few GM vehicles. Don't know why GM did this ??
So by going with the bigger SS rotor, with the stock HHR caliper, you'll have better , stronger braking, on your HHR LS or LT.
In fact, this same 'combo', is used on my factory stock 2004 Malibu Maxx, which also has the exact same rear discs, & calipers as my HHR SS.
And yes, my 2004 Malibu Maxx braking, feels better than my stock 2009 HHR SS brakes. Makes you wonder why GM does, what it does...
I did think that maybe the master cylinders were different, but they aren't.
The HHR LT , with stability control, master cylinder, is the same as used on the HHR SS.
I have done some testing:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...px_329693.jpeg
I'm running a brake setup that works very well for me, for the 1/4 mile, & as a DD.
1996 Honda Accord 11.5 lb front rotors, & 2012 Honda Civic SI 7.5 Lb rear rotors.
I'm also using the standard HHR front calipers, with the bigger 60mm pistons.
Reducing rotor weight is a great target, though. I am curious as to how you found the ones you use.
11-19-2013, 01:34 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: 04-26-2009
Location: City of Champions
Posts: 666
During downtime at work, I search the Internet...
Autozone.com & centric parts.com give all sorts off good specs on rotors.
The autozone site even shows all cars that use a rotor or caliper.
The SS caliper is used on the Cobalt sport with 2.4 engine , some Ion models, & older Cobalt SS models, & that's it...
The heavy stock HHR LS/LT rotor, is only used on HHRs...
Autozone.com & centric parts.com give all sorts off good specs on rotors.
The autozone site even shows all cars that use a rotor or caliper.
The SS caliper is used on the Cobalt sport with 2.4 engine , some Ion models, & older Cobalt SS models, & that's it...
The heavy stock HHR LS/LT rotor, is only used on HHRs...
Last edited by 2005HHRauto; 11-19-2013 at 06:37 PM.
11-20-2013, 10:00 AM
#14
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,431
I have the SS caliper brackets, stock LT calipers, and will be getting Wagner rotors 11.65 inch for the SS non Brembo, ( they're much better priced here in Canada) a member posted last year he did this swap and stated this set up was far better than his stock LS/LT 10 inch stock brakes.
12-05-2018, 02:04 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-17-2018
Location: FL
Posts: 109
In fact, this same 'combo', is used on my factory stock 2004 Malibu Maxx, which also has the exact same rear discs, & calipers as my HHR SS.
And yes, my 2004 Malibu Maxx braking, feels better than my stock 2009 HHR SS brakes. Makes you wonder why GM does, what it does...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Disc-Brake-Caliper-Front-Left-Right-Raybestos-FRC11620C-Reman/252729546589?epid=227975745&hash=item3ad7dad75d%3A g%3AgJoAAOSwmVdbmePt&fits=Year%3A2004%7CModel%3AMa libu%7CSubmodel%3AMaxx%7CEngine+-+Liter_Display%3A3.5L%7CMake%3AChevrolet%7CTrim%3A Maxx+Hatchback+4-Door%7CEngine%3A3.5L+213Cu.+In.+V6+GAS+OHV+Natural ly+Aspirated
12-05-2018, 05:39 PM
#17
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,431
Your stock larger piston calipers will fit the SS non Brembo caliper brackets and the larger 11.6 inch rotors.
Do you need new calipers , these will work , but due to the smaller diameter rotors on the LS/LT the caliper brackets are useless to you.
the smaller piston SS calipers coincide with the different SS master cylinder, and are less effective if installed in the LS/LT.
I’ve tried both, am now using the stock LS calipers with the SS non Brembo caliper brackets, the 11.65 inch SS rotors, and ceramic brake pads.
Do you need new calipers , these will work , but due to the smaller diameter rotors on the LS/LT the caliper brackets are useless to you.
the smaller piston SS calipers coincide with the different SS master cylinder, and are less effective if installed in the LS/LT.
I’ve tried both, am now using the stock LS calipers with the SS non Brembo caliper brackets, the 11.65 inch SS rotors, and ceramic brake pads.
12-05-2018, 06:20 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-17-2018
Location: FL
Posts: 109
thank you
I plan on using the 11.65 rotor because of how poorly the brakes respond, so much fade.
after reading that the brembo brake calipers are actually kind of a downgrade in braking performance, as well as some other threads on how much better they work with this upgrade, I figured now was a good time to do this as I have to replace my rotors (warped) and the pads are close to needing replaced as well.
I was looking to just get the brackets, but was finding it difficult to identify what the bracket I needed was, this gives me clarification.
so now I can look for the actual bracket for the model of caliper in the ebay link :)
yes, thread from the dead, but considering these vehicles (at least the panel version) are still in pretty high demand, I think it a good thread to revive
I have plans for my HHR
I plan on using the 11.65 rotor because of how poorly the brakes respond, so much fade.
after reading that the brembo brake calipers are actually kind of a downgrade in braking performance, as well as some other threads on how much better they work with this upgrade, I figured now was a good time to do this as I have to replace my rotors (warped) and the pads are close to needing replaced as well.
I was looking to just get the brackets, but was finding it difficult to identify what the bracket I needed was, this gives me clarification.
so now I can look for the actual bracket for the model of caliper in the ebay link :)
yes, thread from the dead, but considering these vehicles (at least the panel version) are still in pretty high demand, I think it a good thread to revive
I have plans for my HHR
