2005 Pontiac GTO Brake Upgrade

Going fast is fun! (Hey, if you didn't already know that, you wouldn't be reading his magazine.) Whether you're the type who enjoys the freedom of an openautocross or road course, reaching 120 mph at the top end of a quarter-mile, or just getting some lead out on deserted rural backroads, pretty much anyone who's into high performance enjoys the sensation of speed.

Similarly, any sane person probably knows hauling ass is not without its risks. The unfortunate realityis that while velocity can help you get some much-needed kicks, it also has the potential to gravely injure you and others. Safety should be your number-one priority when it comes to speed, and aside from knowing the limits of your driving abilities and using due care when driving on public roads, a lot has to do with the condition and capability of your ride's mechanical components. Perhaps nowhere is this more true than in a vehicle's brake system.

Though their adequacy varies wildly by specific car make and model, when pushed hard, stock brake systems often fade-and can even fail unexpectedly-when heated up, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Imagine cracking a rotor while negotiating the entrance to that infamous highspeed, late-apex turn at your local race venue, and you get the idea. Ensuring your brake system is up to the task of handling the rigors of your driving habits is of paramount importance not only to the safety of you and your vehicle, but to that of others as well.

Adding horsepower under the hood throws further concern into the equation, as potential for more speed puts greater stress on the brakes (which have to work harder to withstand and dissipate more heat energy). Our project '05 GTO underwent a bevy of engine-related mods, most recently a head and cam package installed by Speed Inc. ("LS2 Heads/Cam Swap," Feb. '07). The resultant 432 rear-wheel horsepower-that's without the juice, mind you-is a whole lot more than the LS2 put out when stock. Fade nd durability issues aside, it's clear that the addition of extra braking force to provide reduced stopping distances is a good thing to have in this situation, too.

It's this line of reasoning that led us to call California-based Wilwood Engineering. Having celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2007, Wilwood has been a key player in the highperformance disc brake business for some time. With such a reputation,we knew it'd be a great supplier for brakes with just the stopping power and fade resistance we were looking for on our Goat. Follow along as we evaluate and install our GTO's new brake system, and then get some results!