Budget 4 Piston Caliper Swap
- Thread starter CorradoKev
- Start date
CorradoKev
New member
I believe they are, but the CTS calipers were abundantly available, and the Regal’s were like unobtainium.
CorradoKev
New member
22917417 and 22917418 are the Buick GS Brembo brake calipers. 84089034 and 84089035 are the CTS calipers. Visually, the only differences I can see are that the Buick caliper just says “Brembo” and the CTS caliper says “Cadillac” with a teeny tiny Brembo logo beneath.
schofell84
New member
So would the ATS calipers and Encore rotors work? With or without brackets?
Blue Moon Sonic
New member
I'm starting to realize that our hubs may be interchangeable for a different bolt pattern. Doesn't the cruze diesel use a 5x115 bolt pattern as well? If so, that confirms my suspicions for all of the knuckles between the CTS/ATS/Encore/Trax/Sonic/Cruze being the same design minus the caliper bracket holes being a different size. If this is the case, then this could seriously change how we think about doing this upgrade for the better because of interchangeable OEM parts.
Tormach
Member
For that very reason I have not yet done this upgrade. When I find/make the time to do the research on the hubs (I know someone probly already done this) that in theory we could have an alternate option with the added benefit of getting away from the 5x105 lug pattern.
opcorn:
Blue Moon Sonic
New member
I hear you there. I'm glad I did the encore upgrade when I did because it saved money for doing the rear disc conversion later on. Once I start having to replace wheel bearings, I'll see about pioneering for the hub conversion. I would actually Love to run the ATS 18x8 wheel in a matte bronze on the sonic. Otherwise, I'm stuck with the cruze eco wheels until I can find a wider 17in wheel. Needs to be around the same weight as well.
ScarabEpic22
Member
I played around with that idea, almost got it figured out about 8mo ago and lost interest (and lack of time). Cruze diesel hubs, rotors, and then figure out calipers.
schofell84
New member
10mm of overhang with the encore rotors and ATS calipers ... can you use the stock rotors? Is it centered?
Also, can you tap instead of drill the brackets?
Also, can you tap instead of drill the brackets?
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Blue Moon Sonic
New member
Sounds like you've already confirmed my suspicions. Which means that all of this is completely viable, given one has money to spend.
ScarabEpic22
Member
Yea I think I stopped when parts hit the $500-600 range and still had more pieces to go.
Blue Moon Sonic
New member
A lot of this would probably end up being maintenance items anyways cause that's when most people would end up going to the different part. Why swap hubs for a different bolt pattern when the wheel bearings are still good? But just doing this swap alone already will bring everyone past the $1,000 mark just because of the different wheel and tire. Add another $600+ for the calipers if bought new and another 300-500 for the hubs, wheel bearings, Cascada/ATS rotors/pads. So now this upgrade went to being $2100+. This assumes you do this upgrade properly without using wheel spacers. The only time I would even want to use wheel spacers is to achieve better fitment or to get a looser or tighter feel for the car's handling, but that's an entirely different discussion that should be saved for another thread.
Ameyejesus
New member
I looked at this as well. The problem comes with the cruze diesel hubs. They have different spines, so the stock sonic axles won't work with them.
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SuperSonicRS
Member
Sorry for bumping a really old thread, but I had a few questions about this swap.
1. Will the new rotors clear the factory sonic dust shields or do the need to be modified or swapped out and what to?
2. Brake line? Is the factory sonic brake line the right length?
1. Will the new rotors clear the factory sonic dust shields or do the need to be modified or swapped out and what to?
2. Brake line? Is the factory sonic brake line the right length?
Reviving this because - my 2015 sonic with this brembo swap did in fact work flawlessly. AND.... since it got totaled at 200k miles... im doing it AGAIN... on my 2013 sonic (still an RS).... so, i'll post updates perhaps on a new thread.
Here are some notes without specifics:
-Did need rotors with sonics weird bolt pattern drilled in.
-Did need new brake fluid line bolts - forgot what car from.. but ill find and update. i got them from autozone and were a perfect fit.
-Did need new brake pads(duh) (bought used from ebay (calipers))
-Did get stainless steel brake kit from zzp. (not required - but i wanted to)
-Did need to drill a bigger hole for calipers to sit in.
-Lastly zzp recomended 10mm spacer, i used a 20mm spacer... so i may go to 10mm this time.
not sure what else is missing but ill post a write up soon.. i just ordered the calipers now and will be getting them painted and making them look factory
Here are some notes without specifics:
-Did need rotors with sonics weird bolt pattern drilled in.
-Did need new brake fluid line bolts - forgot what car from.. but ill find and update. i got them from autozone and were a perfect fit.
-Did need new brake pads(duh) (bought used from ebay (calipers))
-Did get stainless steel brake kit from zzp. (not required - but i wanted to
)-Did need to drill a bigger hole for calipers to sit in.
-Lastly zzp recomended 10mm spacer, i used a 20mm spacer... so i may go to 10mm this time.
not sure what else is missing but ill post a write up soon.. i just ordered the calipers now and will be getting them painted and making them look factory
