I'm thinking about getting vented brakes. I'll be replacing the shocks and struts and figured why not, but I would like some feedback before I do it.

Thank you in advance

If you're sticking with the same size rotors and calipers (ie doing the Grand AM upgrade), then you're not going to feel any appreciable difference. Theoretically, the pistons are slightly larger, and the vented rotors experience less brake fade, but in real world street driving you'll porbably never work the brakes often and hard enough to notice much of a difference. Some people claim they do make a world of difference but I've done the upgrade and it's subjective at best in my opinion. Certainly the appearance of vented rotors is an advantage over the solid rotors though. The disadvantage to the Grand AM brake upgrade is that the calipers are made of steel where the Fiero calipers are aluminum (84-87) making more unspring weight. Again, in a blind test, I think the average driver wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

If you want better stopping power, you'll need to increase the rotor size which takes advantage of the greater leverage.

"Are vented brakes worth the money?"

Yes, if you plan on:
A. chasing ambulances or
B. lots of tailgating in rush hour traffic on the expressway
C. racing

For normal driving? No, you'll not get the brakes hot enough to fade.

I have to disagree. The Grand Am upgrade is well worth the money. You need to do the whole package though. Grand Am (vented) rotors and calipers front and rear (which mean purchasing modified front hubs), 1993 S10 Blazer master cylinder for 2 wheel drive (not the "big bore" master cylinder from a full size K5 Blazer unless you want a higher, stiffer pedal), power brake booster from a 1997 S10 Blazer modified for the Fiero, plus stainless steel brake lines (available from the Fiero Store).

Want to keep your e-brake? Use the Seville rear caliper mod as shown by Arn in another thread.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/083566.html

[This message has been edited by Hudini (edited 03-19-2010).]

The question is too vague. If there is any particular deficiency you find with the stock brakes, then we can address that.

But asking an open-ended question - well different people have different opinions on what constitutes good brakes.

Personally, I think the Blazer booster swap would be a horrible thing to do...