Would the CTS-V brake calipers fit under the OEM base wheels? Having to buy new wheels would make this cost a lot more. I'd just save up for the Akebonos if it were me.

With your budget, FI cost about...$1300 shipped?

Front rotors $300
Bracket fabrication, I assume $100 parts and labor
Rotors - cheap pair 14 inches $100? Don't know if u need bigger for the 6 pistons ctsv calipers.
Pads- cheap pair low dust ones $50?
You probably have to cut the heat shield to fit bigger rotors.

All the work above, get you something that's severely front bias that possibly provide worse brake performance than your stock base setup. Big calipers can help only as much as your tires don't get locked up

Pads, lines and fluid on the base brakes would stop fine if you're not tracking the car. You shouldn't be seeing brake fade on the street. Would they hold up to repeated high speed stops, no, but they're not inadequate. Granted, they do look like ***.

Lol

Yes they do look like sh** I'm just going to hold out till I get some more money saved up,

IIRC I was quoted right around $1k for the 2013 red ones at the dealership I go to with my 30% discount. No rotors though, only calipers. Maybe even cheaper, something is telling me right around $900 with tax. Was thinking about going this route and selling my grey ones.