Installing ATS Brembos on the Cobra.

BLOWN9646

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I’ve been looking into this upgrade but not willing to jump ship till I’ve got clear evidence that they’ll clear my 18x9.5 +25 Classics.
Thus far the only kit I believe to fit are the 00R’s but even then I’m not 100% sure.

@GodStang hell of a write up!!

The 00R's clear my spare 98' Cobra reps 17x8's
 

Comp04svt

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Do you know how much "thicker" these are compared to the stock caliper? Wondering as I would need to see if these will fit a 18" CCW 505a wheel.
 

GodStang

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Do you know how much "thicker" these are compared to the stock caliper? Wondering as I would need to see if these will fit a 18" CCW 505a wheel.

Just send me your 505As and you wont have to worry... I will check this weekend I have a few requests to get for people.
 

Comp04svt

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Just send me your 505As and you wont have to worry... I will check this weekend I have a few requests to get for people.

HAHAHA! If you have some SP500's then we could work something out on that! ;) But thanks man I appreciate you checking!!
 

04OWwhipple

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How do they compare in braking power/feel over the stockers? I was looking at the wilwood 6 piston 13inch rotor setup but that is 3 times the cost of this setup. So if these stop well then I would likely consider this conversion.

Great work and write up though! super helpful to anyone at home looking for a new setup.
 

keith89

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Ok if you look at the mounting Tabs on the top two Caddy and 00 Cobra R/04 Focus RS vs the bottom 16/17 RS I don't see how the bottom one would mount up if the top two do:

View attachment 1576133

View attachment 1576134

View attachment 1576135

I may have to consider those 16/17 RS calipers for the rear of my manual brake cobra. The stock slider creates a bit of extra initial play in the pedal. Of course I'd have to dial out a lot of the bias. I plan to make a brake adapter bracket and use a separate wilwood mechanical parking brake caliper. Does anyone know the piston sizes of the 16/17 RS calipers? Also do they work on 13" rotors I think the 16/17 has 12" rears.
 

GM2Ford

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This has been a hot topic lately. Many many thanks to Alan H. (SVT_Alan) and Jojomofo21 for helping me with the info on this install. Alan posted a how to up on Facebook and he sent it to me since I am not on groups. This whole thing can be done for well under $500 and depending on what options for under $400. Great upgrade over the stock Floating 2 Pistons. The ATS-V is 4 Piston and just look much better in my opinion.

View attachment 1575945

I am posting parts I did and hopefully help others.

**RockAuto 5% coupon code expires 7/28/19: 110511239104454439 ****

Parts needed:
2013-2018 Cadillac ATS-V Brembo Brake Calipers PN: 172-2777 and 172-2768.
2. 4 Flanged 10.9 M14x2.0x40mm Bolts.
3. Brake Pads for the J55 brake kit for 2013-2018 Caddy ATS-V. I installed Power Stop Z23-1001.
4. A HSS 9/16 or 14mm drill bit.
5. A rat's tail file
Optional Parts
6. New Cobra rotors if you want to replace yours while out. I installed AR8144/8145XPR.
7. Also Optional is the Stop-Tech 950-61001 comes with correct Banjo bolts. SS lines are one of the best improvements you can do to your brake system so I highly recommend it.
8. Brake Fluid for bleeding the brakes
9. Caliper paint

View attachment 1575950

The parts can be purchased at many places. The calipers can be purchased at Rockauto.com, Amazon.com, SummitRacing.com along with many others. Depending on your state tax laws and shipping prices as to who has the best price. The bolts and drill bit can be bought from McMaster-Carr. Brake pads and rotors can be bought anywhere but when I bought them the best price was Rockauto for the Powerstop Rotors. Best price we found on the Stop-Tech SS lines was PartsGeek.com. Also you can always find a coupon for 5% off at rock auto. Not a lot but it is something.

The biggest part of this mod is machining .075" off the back of the Brembo mounting tabs where they bolt to the spindle. This is very important as it helps center the rotor. They need to be flush so don't use a grinder.

View attachment 1575951



This is also a good time to paint or powder coat your calipers and put on a logo if you want. Cadillac is printed on there so it can easily be skuffed up and painted over.

View attachment 1575952

Next we get to the car. Put the car on a lift or jack-stands and remove the wheels, brake calipers, rotors, and brake lines if you are replacing those.

Once everything is removed you need to take the drill bit and is drill out the two holes on the spindle. The new bolts will just barely slide in. Next you want to take the rat's tail file and file the two holes towards each other. You want to file a little bit and then put the calipers up and see if you can screw the bolts in by hand. If not file a little bit more off.

View attachment 1575953

The Brake pads are a little too tall. You will have to grind 6mm off the top so they sit even with the rotor. We marked 6mm from top of pad all the way across the top and then used an air grinder to make quick work of it. It is VERY messy and don't breath the brake dust. I think Alan used a Belt grinder and his came out way better than mine. So that is another option.

View attachment 1575954

Once you get the Caliper to mount all the way remove them. Now is time to put the rotors on and bolt the caliper back on. With the Brembos calipers full bolted down you drop the pads down the back and slide a pin in to hold the pads in place and then put the metal clip in and slide the other pin in through the pad holders and push the other side of the clip down.

View attachment 1575955

At any point you can install the new brake lines. They make a bit of a mess so make sure you have a drip pan to catch the mess.
Once all the parts are back in place mount the wheels and bleed the brake system.
Enjoy and Good Luck!

I will continue to edit and update this hoping to help others.

Awesome stuff! Definitely have been hearing about this lately all over the Net it seems!

Now if only something could be similar for the rears!
 

CobraBob

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Great info, and great write-up, Josh. Equally great that you're fielding questions and seeking answers for those asking. IMO this is an excellent cost effective upgrade option based on Josh's research.

How did you do the Cobra-Brembo lettering? Stencil?
 

GodStang

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Great info, and great write-up, Josh. Equally great that you're fielding questions and seeking answers for those asking. IMO this is an excellent cost effective upgrade option based on Josh's research.

How did you do the Cobra-Brembo lettering? Stencil?

Wife made them in Oracle 651 Vinyl. Wanted to use 951 but we will see how this does.
 

Dombrocj

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Will they clear most 18s? Is there a list going on rims where they do/don't fit?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 

GodStang

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Will they clear most 18s? Is there a list going on rims where they do/don't fit?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I will see what wheels I can find. I know stock 03/04 5-Stars and stock Anniversary Wheels.
 

GodStang

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Great thread.

Thanks!

So I finally got to take the car for a cruise. They stop really really nice. Way better than before. I am sure not as nice as the $2K 6 Piston bad boys but as something you can do for under $400 this is really nice.

IMG_3138.jpg

IMG_3134.jpg
 

SVTsteele

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Love the thread, glad to hear the feedback as well. Also interested to see if you proceed to do something similar with the rears!
 

keith89

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Love the thread, glad to hear the feedback as well. Also interested to see if you proceed to do something similar with the rears!

I'm working on something for the rear using a separate dedicated wilwood mechanical parking brake caliper and a 4 piston wilwood or Baer fixed caliper.
The piston area of these ATS calipers is way too much for the rear application. You would need to install a bias adjuster which is way more involved that most people will be able to handle. Unfortunately, it may be a few months before i have time to complete it.

I know Wilwood sells a 4 piston caliper with different piston sizes which will help with balancing the front and rear clamping force. I need to speak to Baer and see what they have for piston sizes(I have 6P fronts so I'd like to get a Baer rear as well). I'm doing this more as a functional project to reduce pedal throw(not additional braking force or looks). I have manual brakes with Baer 6p front calipers. The rear oem floating calipers have extra play in them that takes up some of the brake stroke with a 7/8" master cylinder. I'd like to get rid of this extra slack in the system for a more immediate solid brake pedal.
 
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Street Warrior

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@GodStang
Great info!
I think the calipers are off the regular ATS with the Brembo / 321mm rotor upgrade not ATS-V

Why did you choose the Z23 pads over the Z26?
Any updates on pro & cons?

Thanks
 

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