want better brakes?

not being satisfied with my stock braking performance, i began scouring the internet in search of possible upgrades for my 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL.

I soon discovered that the 98 Intrigue had an optional Autobahn package that included larger 12 inch rotors...this piqued my interest even more.

I then discovered the several GM cars later became equipped with these 12 inch rotors STOCK, and that some of them were my fellow W-bodies.

http://www.clubgp.com/cgi-asp/mods.asp?modid=3 (ClubGP)

above is a link for Grand Prix owners showing them how to convert basically to the Intrigue JA9 braking package...the Grand Prix has the same brake setup as the Intrigue, so instead of buying those parts new, i decided to research the parts numbers and see what other cars they were used on.

caliper mounting brackets part # 18029829 were used on the following according to gmpartsdirect.com:

1994-1999 Cadillac DeVile
1998-2003 Cadillac SeVille
2000-2003 Chevly Impala
2000-2003 Chevy Monte Carlo

So i went to a local scrapyard and obtained the caliper brackets from a 2001 Impala, the rotors were there as well, all 12 inches of them.

in case you cant find the rotors with the car they are part # 18021015 and were used on several cars.

I have stock 16 inch 12-hole alloy wheels, the new brackets make the calipers go up higher and they just barely fit inside my wheels, i cant speak for the Intrigues with the older style rims, or anyone else for that matter, but if you have the 12-hole wheels, or aftermarket rims everything should work fine.

I greatly enjoy my new brakes, confidence is much higher, high speed braking is MUCH better.

also, i found some more info shortly after i installed those, the F-body calipers can be adapted to fit the W-body, but i think this is only an option for those with aftermarket wheels, as the F-body calipers look larger than the stock ones.

below is some information on that:
http://www.mcssuperssite.com/ftowcaliper.htm
http://www.scacgp.com/mods/f-bodybrakes.htm

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1305368&parttype=1896

RockAuto has the 12" rotors for $20+. Still will need the adaptor bracket.

EBC has the JA9 rotors also for $230 a set.
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/performance_sm/oldsmobile~rotors~performance.html

I should have replaced my 1/2 worn rotors when I replaced my brake pads.
But this upgrade is only from 11" --> 12" -You wonder if it's worth it?

Tire rack has Brembo rotors and braided steel brake lines:
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/results.jsp?autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModel=Intrigue&autoYear=1998&category=Pads&category=Rotors&category=Lines&autoModClar=&brand=all

considering i paid $63 for parts, and $11 to have the rotors i got turned...it was very worth it to me...but if you buy all the stuff new you might not be as impressed.

You did good and now you can run the 12" rotors. I paid $60 + tax = $63 just for my pads from Napa. I would have replaced the rotors also, but it was a cold day, i needed the car fixed that day and the first set of pads didn't match up at all. Always bring an old pad (part) in to match it up.

With places like RockAuto sometimes the junkyard isn't the best deal (at least around me). Your junkyard gave you a great deal. For car parts try www.car-parts.com (http://www.car-parts.com) and ask for a quote if necessary.

It's nice just to see some performance parts/options for the Intrigue - a pleasant surprise in my opinion for once. My first set of brake pads lasted 85k miles unless they pulled them out at 17K when I bought the car used.