Buick Encore Brakes to Sonic

[CjCsonic]

So just got a fresh order of rotors in at NAPA. And behold Buick Encore rotors come in.....
So I investigate.... same bolt pattern, same hub bore, same height, pretty much all the same except... They are 11.8" and the sonic runs 10.6". Upon further investigation on the Encore system I see it appears the calipers quite possibly are the same except the bracket looks to be a taller/longer mounting height obviously to acomadate the larger rotor.
I'm waiting to hear back from a salvage yard that will be measuring the distance apart on the bracket to spindle mounting points.
If all goes well I do believe we could all do a very basic swap of calipers and rotors and end up with almost an inch larger front brake setup.
I can't seem to get a part number for the spindle itself from the Encore but can for the sonic otherwise if they matched then I would say it would be GTG! Already checked the bearings and hubs are the same too.
What does everyone think of this idea? Do you thing GM would make the bracket mounting different to stop any swap possible?

 

[Sneakerfix]

So just got a fresh order of rotors in at NAPA. And behold Buick Encore rotors come in.....
So I investigate.... same bolt pattern, same hub bore, same height, pretty much all the same except... They are 11.8" and the sonic runs 10.6". Upon further investigation on the Encore system I see it appears the calipers quite possibly are the same except the bracket looks to be a taller/longer mounting height obviously to acomadate the larger rotor.
I'm waiting to hear back from a salvage yard that will be measuring the distance apart on the bracket to spindle mounting points.
If all goes well I do believe we could all do a very basic swap of calipers and rotors and end up with almost an inch larger front brake setup.
I can't seem to get a part number for the spindle itself from the Encore but can for the sonic otherwise if they matched then I would say it would be GTG! Already checked the bearings and hubs are the same too.
What does everyone think of this idea? Do you thing GM would make the bracket mounting different to stop any swap possible?

Same brakes as the diesel cruze. They also use the same pad as the sonic/cruze

 

[CjCsonic]

The rotors are not the same between the cruze diesel or gas and the encore. The pads are the same number for the encore to cruze but not to the sonic. And according to two sites the calipers are the same.... From encore to cruze that is...

Still the real question I have, is the bracket mounting for the caliper to spindle on the encore the same as the sonic?

 

[CjCsonic]

I wonder if anyone on here also has a encore, diesel cruze or trax?

 

[Sneakerfix]

The rotors are not the same between the cruze diesel or gas and the encore. The pads are the same number for the encore to cruze but not to the sonic. And according to two sites the calipers are the same.... From encore to cruze that is...

Still the real question I have, is the bracket mounting for the caliper to spindle on the encore the same as the sonic?

The sonic/cruze gas have the same caliper and bracket.

The encore/Cruze/Verano/sonic/ATS 2.4 /trax same pad

from what I know the spacing is the same between all just like Fbody and a few others

When I get back to work I'll find my note book I have all the brake combos that fit the sonic/Cruze

Encore has the same front brakes as the volt/cruze D/Verano bracket part number 13403607

 

[CjCsonic]

Well I'm really thinking about taking th leap on doing it. I can pick up the rotors relatively cheap from where I work and the calipers off ebay for 80.00 shipped. Anyone done this swap yet?

 

[Sneakerfix]

Well I'm really thinking about taking th leap on doing it. I can pick up the rotors relatively cheap from where I work and the calipers off ebay for 80.00 shipped. Anyone done this swap yet?

You won't need the calipers just the bracket

 

[SPOTWORK]

Can we do a spindle swap? I have no idea at all what the differences are.

 

[jgrote]

I like this idea. Brackets are $42 new online. I think you could probably beat that used, but can't find any on ebay. If they made the front so easy to swap, this opens up pandora's box for the rear. I wonder if you can swap whole corners from the Buick to the rear? The brakes already seem a little too front biased IMO, and I worry about upgrading the front without doing some to the rear. (Dear Chevy engineers, please tell me that you designed these cars that all have similar platforms to be like legos.)

 

[CjCsonic]

You won't need the calipers just the bracket

I kinda figured the calipers themselves were the same but I find they are different part numbers. They look different based on several pictures I've seen as well. I was thinking about just changing brackets but I'd bet the stealer will tell me not available and no ETA.
I will call one of my dealer guys tomorrow and find out.
This whole deal reminds me of a brake upgrade I did on my trailblazer a few years back. All I had to do was change the caliper bracket and rotors from the regular five passenger to the seven passenger ones or ext model and voila... One inch bigger break setup. Made a hell of a difference especially when it was lifted and big ole tires.

 

[Sneakerfix]

I like this idea. Brackets are $42 new online. I think you could probably beat that used, but can't find any on ebay. If they made the front so easy to swap, this opens up pandora's box for the rear. I wonder if you can swap whole corners from the Buick to the rear? The brakes already seem a little too front biased IMO, and I worry about upgrading the front without doing some to the rear. (Dear Chevy engineers, please tell me that you designed these cars that all have similar platforms to be like legos.)

Just get the ZZP rear swap and change the rotors and pads. Unless you want to swap the subframe.. If you feel it's front bias adjust your rear brakes should fix it if the sonic was built like the cruze they came poorly adjusted from the factory

 

[Sneakerfix]

Can we do a spindle swap? I have no idea at all what the differences are.

Why...

I kinda figured the calipers themselves were the same but I find they are different part numbers. They look different based on several pictures I've seen as well. I was thinking about just changing brackets but I'd bet the stealer will tell me not available and no ETA.
I will call one of my dealer guys tomorrow and find out.
This whole deal reminds me of a brake upgrade I did on my trailblazer a few years back. All I had to do was change the caliper bracket and rotors from the regular five passenger to the seven passenger ones or ext model and voila... One inch bigger break setup. Made a hell of a difference especially when it was lifted and big ole tires.

Yea the fatter rotor helps I have LS1 rotors On C5 calipers on my cruze

 

[mitdr774]

Just get the ZZP rear swap and change the rotors and pads. Unless you want to swap the subframe.. If you feel it's front bias adjust your rear brakes should fix it if the sonic was built like the cruze they came poorly adjusted from the factory

Based on the experiences of a few of those that have put some use to the ZZP rear kit, I would not waste the money on it. About all that is good about it would be the brackets.

Also, from a conversation with a gentleman who races B spec and does some autocross (doesnt run a Sonic in autocross though) the only real improvement the front brakes need is the actual pad and fluid. The front diameter is more than enough to take care of anything that any of us will be doing.

 

[$ub$onic]

Based on the experiences of a few of those that have put some use to the ZZP rear kit, I would not waste the money on it. About all that is good about it would be the brackets.



Also, from a conversation with a gentleman who races B spec and does some autocross (doesnt run a Sonic in autocross though) the only real improvement the front brakes need is the actual pad and fluid. The front diameter is more than enough to take care of anything that any of us will be doing.

This is pretty much spot on.

Lately I have had nothing but problems with the zzp kit and I am rather disappointed with it, but this is on par with my experience with zzp sadly.


As far as the front, I find no need to do a "big brake kit". My race pads have more then enough stopping power for what this car needs and with very little brake fade over time.

 

[Sneakerfix]

Based on the experiences of a few of those that have put some use to the ZZP rear kit, I would not waste the money on it. About all that is good about it would be the brackets.

Also, from a conversation with a gentleman who races B spec and does some autocross (doesnt run a Sonic in autocross though) the only real improvement the front brakes need is the actual pad and fluid. The front diameter is more than enough to take care of anything that any of us will be doing.

The Zzp rotors and none oem calipers are trash not sure why they just don't use the oem or better aftermarket parts.. And yes the brakets are the only good thing about the kit.. But for a person that just wants the look of rear disc over drums its a good starting point.

 

[mitdr774]

its a good starting point if you dont mind dumping another couple hundred into it to replace the calipers, pads, and apparently cables as well. They used cheap rubbish reman calipers in the kit.

 

[jgrote]

On my other car, I had to upgrade the brakes after some spirited mountain driving. (It's pretty scary having no brakes on the way down the mountain.) All I did was super blue (no longer available in the U.S.), new rotors, and good pads and I was good to go. I can get them as hot as I want now with no brake fade at all. I used stop-tech pads that time. However, if bigger brakes are only as difficult as new brackets, I might do it when it comes time to replace rotors.

 

[CjCsonic]

The likelyhood I will ever auto cross my sonic is slim to none, drag racing occasionally, and the idea of hitting a speed there that will warrant a bigger brake is a dream.
More or less I am wanting to do the swap for when I go to larger wheels than my stocker 16". I absolutely cannot stand seeing a lot of the cars on the road even with a couple size larger wheel with tiny in comparison brakes, especially the donked out garbage I see around my area.
I just like the idea and look of having a bigger brake to help lessen that gap and improve the braking overall. if the encore brakes will swap as easy as bracket and rotor change then why the hell not. I'm closing in on the time to do the brakes anyway and I think it can't be a waste at this point to swap if possible.

 

[Scot]

Also, from a conversation with a gentleman who races B spec and does some autocross (doesnt run a Sonic in autocross though) the only real improvement the front brakes need is the actual pad and fluid. The front diameter is more than enough to take care of anything that any of us will be doing.

But but but but.....

....they don't look kewl.

 

[Scot]

Encore bracket: 13372779

Dealer list for two is $68.24