Brake Upgrade

2point3fiend

New Member

Mar 11, 2003

39

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Tampa, FL

Jan 6, 2006

#21

• Jan 6, 2006

• #21

So I am working with the assumption here that I can get a couple of replacement stock drum breaks, then buy the 1" rear wheel cylinders and change out the 3/4" ones with the drum brakes. Then use slotted stock 11" rotors with the 73mm calipers, change to SS lines and I can keep my stock brake booster and master cylinder?

 

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8950HO

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

658

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Jan 6, 2006

#22

• Jan 6, 2006

• #22

2point3fiend said:

So I am working with the assumption here that I can get a couple of replacement stock drum breaks, then buy the 1" rear wheel cylinders and change out the 3/4" ones with the drum brakes. Then use slotted stock 11" rotors with the 73mm calipers, change to SS lines and I can keep my stock brake booster and master cylinder?

Click to expand...

I`m not clear on what you mean by getting a couple of replacement stock drum brakes?

Your 93 Mustang 9" drum brakes are the same size as the 88` T-Bird with drum brakes with the exception being different size wheel cylinders.

Both the 88` T-Bird with 9" drums and all the 5.0L Mustangs use the same size brake shoe,9x1-3/4".

The stock booster should be fine,but you have to upgrade the stock 3 port master cylinder to a 2 port off a 93 Cobra,(1" bore and probably ideal),or a 94-95 Mustang mc,which is a little larger,(can`t remember the exact size).

The stock mc doesn`t have the fluid capacity to work well with even just the 73mm calipers.
The 3>2 port mc conversion is another pita area,but Maximum Motorsports has a conversion kit to make it easy,compared to cutting and flaring your own lines.

Lastly,from what I`ve read,the pushrod on the stock brake booster has to be turned out roughly 1 to 1-1/2 turns,for the new 2 port master cylinder.


Ford should have,and have no excuse for not putting decent brakes from the factory on these cars period.

Rear disc should have been standard equipment starting in 1987.The cheap bastards had the parts to do it,eg,87-88 T-Bird turbo coupes had 4 lug rear disc that would have bolted on the Mustangs,but no...they wait for the last year of the Fox bodies and put them on the limited production 93 Cobras.

 

M

Mike92GT

Founding Member

Jan 23, 2002

583

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Florida

Jan 6, 2006

#23

• Jan 6, 2006

• #23

You are correct that the stock MC doesn't have the fluid capacity to push those 73mm pistons. I have the 73mm calipers on my car, along with the SVO MC. I got the kit you mentioned from Maximum Motorsports so I wouldn't have to cut, flare , or fabricate lines. I also did SS lines and SS caliper sleeves

 

2point3fiend

New Member

Mar 11, 2003

39

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Tampa, FL

Jan 7, 2006

#24

• Jan 7, 2006

• #24

So, when I turn out the pushrod from the stock brake booster I assume it turns counter-clockwise 1 to 1.5 turns?

 

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87gtconv

ragtopman

Founding Member

Feb 11, 1999

2,595

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Southern Calif

Jan 8, 2006

#25

• Jan 8, 2006

• #25

Anyone have part numbers for the rear brake cylinders from either Ford or another supplier. I can only find the stock 3/4" bore diameter listed. It seems it is used for both the 9" and 10" rear drums.

 

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8950HO

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Jan 8, 2006

#26

• Jan 8, 2006

• #26

87gtconv said:

Anyone have part numbers for the rear brake cylinders from either Ford or another supplier. I can only find the stock 3/4" bore diameter listed. It seems it is used for both the 9" and 10" rear drums.

Click to expand...

Go on the Federal Mogul site,look in the Wagner brake catalog for a 88`T-Bird.Part #`s and sizes are shown.

Other brake companys,like Raybestos don`t show sizes,Wagner does.

 

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87gtconv

ragtopman

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Feb 11, 1999

2,595

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Southern Calif

Jan 10, 2006

#27

• Jan 10, 2006

• #27

Just ordered 2 Wagner F128289 wheel cylinders from Rock Auto for $26 shipped to my house. Let you al know how they work out.

 

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8950HO

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

658

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Jan 10, 2006

#28

• Jan 10, 2006

• #28

87gtconv said:

Just ordered 2 Wagner F128289 wheel cylinders from Rock Auto for $26 shipped to my house. Let you al know how they work out.

Click to expand...

What other parts are you going to use?eg,calipers,master cylinder,etc.

 

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87gtconv

ragtopman

Founding Member

Feb 11, 1999

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Southern Calif

Jan 10, 2006

#29

• Jan 10, 2006

• #29

I had previously put in 73mm calipers up front with slotted rotors, SS brake caliper sleeves, Hawk brake pads and shoes, SS brake lines front and back, 93 Cobra MC with an adapter kit for my 87. I did not upgrade my booster as it was a new unit and I was not sure it was needed and it was not. My only problem was right front premature lock-up! Also the braking distances were not better than stock.

 

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8950HO

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Jan 10, 2006

#30

• Jan 10, 2006

• #30

Were the fronts prematurely locking or the rears?

 

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87gtconv

ragtopman

Founding Member

Feb 11, 1999

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Jan 10, 2006

#31

• Jan 10, 2006

• #31

only right front

 

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8950HO

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Jan 10, 2006

#32

• Jan 10, 2006

• #32

87gtconv said:

only right front

Click to expand...

Ah,the right front.I`ve read of this happening in the past,but I`m not sure of the exact cause.
It might have something to do with the 3 port mc design.I`m not sure but that 3`rd line may go directly to the right caliper.(not 100% sure)

MM said their 3>2port mc conversion kit should provide equal pressure to both front wheels,if this is the kit you used?

 

8

87gtconv

ragtopman

Founding Member

Feb 11, 1999

2,595

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Southern Calif

Jan 10, 2006

#33

• Jan 10, 2006

• #33

Yes I got it right from MM too! Hoping more rear brake will help this problem out!

 

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8950HO

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Mar 31, 2005

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Jan 10, 2006

#34

• Jan 10, 2006

• #34

Is that premature right front wheel lockup causing any nasty pulling to one side problems under hard braking?I can`t really see taking care of the rears fixing this problem.

Try contacting MM`s tech dept and see what they say.(worth a shot,as these guy`s should know...I hope).

Btw,MM has recently revised their 3>2 port mc conversion kit for these cars.It comes with fewer parts than the previous kit they sold.It`s now just one T fitting and one pre bent line.

 

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87gtconv

ragtopman

Founding Member

Feb 11, 1999

2,595

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Southern Calif

Jan 11, 2006

#35

• Jan 11, 2006

• #35

No it dont pull at all just locks and smokes! Thinking more rear brake might help. Thanks for the MM update. I talked to them about this and they said the real problem is rear drum brakes as they advise against this mod without going to rear disk brakes.