Looks like stock pads have a surface area close to brembos. I know the stockers aren't *rectangular*..so you can't simply do LxW, but they do look close in total area. Would have expected Brembo pads to be at least 50% larger.

This is for 07-08
Stock Pad:



Brembo:

 

Brembos, like other big brakes kits are about heat management, not just larger pads. There are a lot of other factors to consider - multiple pistons for a better distribution of force for example.

 

It's not about inital stopping power, even the base brakes can easily lock the tires up. The staying power is what changes. Track the car with base brakes, and you will end up with a softer pedal and loss of performance much sooner than you will with a nice setup like the OEM brembos or something aftermarket. Smaller pads can be made to grab hard, it just requires a different compound.

 

I know multiple piston/fixed caliper is more efficient than single floating. I was just surprised that the pads weren't larger. Usually upgrades like that include larger rotors (Brembo rotors are a tad larger) AND pads. I think the stock set up on this car (06 and up) is pretty damn good. My last car was much lighter with same HP (Chevy Cobalt Turbo) and had Brembos up front. This car stops just as good as far as *street* driving goes. The Z does have larger brakes though..by about 1/2" (I would hope so being 400lbs heavier!).

 

Funny that your sig has this....
My last car was a Cobalt 08 SS !! Totaled it and got 08 Z

OT, but check this out..same dyno (reads about 25HP high):
My 08 Z with tune Gemini and Nismo Intake:



Cobalt SS Turbo:


Here it is (no longer)