Factory Brake Upgrade: From 6 Pistons to 12
#1
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Thread Starter
Factory Brake Upgrade: From 6 Pistons to 12
After completing my hydroboost conversion (and solving the "Service Brakes Soon" message), I still want better brakes. The hydroboost conversion was a SIGNIFICANT upgrade, but my original factory brakes are wore out after 135k miles. There is not enough rear brake bias and the fronts pulsate.
Today, I tested to see if I could fit GMT800 2 piston rear calipers... and the answer is mostly yes! The larger 2 piston calipers and brackets will bolt right up to the backing plate on the axle. However, I will need to trim the backing plate and use the GMT800 rotors. Although the GMT800 rotors are 15mm smaller in diameter, that equates to just over a 1/4 inch in radius... I can live with that considering the brake pad surface area is about 1.6 times as much with about 1.7 times as much piston power:
Now that I've confirmed that the caliper and bracket bolt up, I've ordered rotors and pads. Once I upgrade the rear brakes and drive around for a while, I'll upgrade the fronts to the 2020 Silverado 4 piston calipers. I'll keep everyone posted on progress.
Today, I tested to see if I could fit GMT800 2 piston rear calipers... and the answer is mostly yes! The larger 2 piston calipers and brackets will bolt right up to the backing plate on the axle. However, I will need to trim the backing plate and use the GMT800 rotors. Although the GMT800 rotors are 15mm smaller in diameter, that equates to just over a 1/4 inch in radius... I can live with that considering the brake pad surface area is about 1.6 times as much with about 1.7 times as much piston power:
Now that I've confirmed that the caliper and bracket bolt up, I've ordered rotors and pads. Once I upgrade the rear brakes and drive around for a while, I'll upgrade the fronts to the 2020 Silverado 4 piston calipers. I'll keep everyone posted on progress.
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swathdiver (04-24-2022)
#2
TECH Veteran
If they pulsate I'm pretty sure you got some warped rotors
If you really wanna get big brakes buy the K2XX or T1XX Brembo kit for the front and rear. I believe it is 6 pistons fronts 4 piston rears
If you really wanna get big brakes buy the K2XX or T1XX Brembo kit for the front and rear. I believe it is 6 pistons fronts 4 piston rears
#3
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
GM Truck/SUV 6 Piston C6 ZR1 Caliper Big Brake Bracket Kit – CTSV Brake Swap
Just in case; when I did the hydroboost, I had to change HOW I braked. Its not that the hydroboost stops better once you hit the pedal, its that it allows you to keep stopping harder. If vacuum brakes stop in a linear: 50, 40, 30, 20, 10. I think hydroboost stops you progressively, 70, 60, 45, 15, 0. I had to go out and find room, so I could learn a new way to brake. If you just hit your brakes hard, your tires won't have the grip from the sudden change in acceleration. With hydroboost, you can keep pushing the pedal harder once you start slowing. You can slow good from 60 to 40, but you can face plant into the windshield from 40 to 0.
Just in case; when I did the hydroboost, I had to change HOW I braked. Its not that the hydroboost stops better once you hit the pedal, its that it allows you to keep stopping harder. If vacuum brakes stop in a linear: 50, 40, 30, 20, 10. I think hydroboost stops you progressively, 70, 60, 45, 15, 0. I had to go out and find room, so I could learn a new way to brake. If you just hit your brakes hard, your tires won't have the grip from the sudden change in acceleration. With hydroboost, you can keep pushing the pedal harder once you start slowing. You can slow good from 60 to 40, but you can face plant into the windshield from 40 to 0.
#4
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Thread Starter
Yeah I saw those and the similar 6 and 4 piston Bear kits. I just can't justify spending $6k on brakes! This upgrade should be less than $850 for the front and rear.
The following users liked this post:
shakenfake (04-24-2022)
#5
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Thread Starter
GM Truck/SUV 6 Piston C6 ZR1 Caliper Big Brake Bracket Kit – CTSV Brake Swap
Just in case; when I did the hydroboost, I had to change HOW I braked. Its not that the hydroboost stops better once you hit the pedal, its that it allows you to keep stopping harder. If vacuum brakes stop in a linear: 50, 40, 30, 20, 10. I think hydroboost stops you progressively, 70, 60, 45, 15, 0. I had to go out and find room, so I could learn a new way to brake. If you just hit your brakes hard, your tires won't have the grip from the sudden change in acceleration. With hydroboost, you can keep pushing the pedal harder once you start slowing. You can slow good from 60 to 40, but you can face plant into the windshield from 40 to 0.
Just in case; when I did the hydroboost, I had to change HOW I braked. Its not that the hydroboost stops better once you hit the pedal, its that it allows you to keep stopping harder. If vacuum brakes stop in a linear: 50, 40, 30, 20, 10. I think hydroboost stops you progressively, 70, 60, 45, 15, 0. I had to go out and find room, so I could learn a new way to brake. If you just hit your brakes hard, your tires won't have the grip from the sudden change in acceleration. With hydroboost, you can keep pushing the pedal harder once you start slowing. You can slow good from 60 to 40, but you can face plant into the windshield from 40 to 0.
Hopefully, I won't be face planting after the caliper upgrades. Thanks!
#6
TECH Veteran
I feel you lol
I would love to have them but they won't fit my wheels
I would love to have them but they won't fit my wheels
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#8
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Thread Starter
#9
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Thread Starter
So, I wish I had better news, but I was not able to swap to the dual piston calipers today. I discovered two things:
1) the backing plate needs more than just the trimming the ears off. You can still use your backing plate, but you will need to spend about an hour per side brutally, but meticulously beating the lip down about a 1/4".
2) one of my axle seals is leaking... so, I've ordered new seals and GMT800 backing plates. Since I'll have the axles out for the seals, I'll replace the backing plates then too.
before:
and after a bit of shaping and sanding:
Axle seals and backing plates should be here next week... maybe I'll be able to do this on Saturday the 14th.
1) the backing plate needs more than just the trimming the ears off. You can still use your backing plate, but you will need to spend about an hour per side brutally, but meticulously beating the lip down about a 1/4".
2) one of my axle seals is leaking... so, I've ordered new seals and GMT800 backing plates. Since I'll have the axles out for the seals, I'll replace the backing plates then too.
before:
and after a bit of shaping and sanding:
Axle seals and backing plates should be here next week... maybe I'll be able to do this on Saturday the 14th.