larger 4-lug front brakes?

87 GT · Sep 6, 2005

Does anyone know of a company selling larger 4-lug front brakes? I'd like to upgrade to a larger diameter rotor without tossing the 4-lug wheels (16"). All of the upgraded brake kits I have seen require changing to a 5-lug setup.

txstang84 · Sep 6, 2005

i believe Baer makes a set...

JaysGreenLX · Sep 6, 2005

87 GT said:
Does anyone know of a company selling larger 4-lug front brakes? I'd like to upgrade to a larger diameter rotor without tossing the 4-lug wheels (16"). All of the upgraded brake kits I have seen require changing to a 5-lug setup.

The problem is two fold. Most kits have you upgrade to 5 lug for better strength. Lord only knows why 4 lugs were even put on these cars. Also, if you wanted to increase your rotor size the next logical size would be 13". This would require at least a 17" wheel to clear the calipers.

You could try to step up to the 93 Cobra front brakes which I believe used the 73mm caliper piston. (can't recall for sure) But this would offer a slight increase in clamping power.

Redfire 05 · Sep 6, 2005

Stainless Steel Brakes Co. make kits for the front and rear like Baer. They offer kits for 4 or 5 lug in various rotor sizes. Enter the make, model and year of your car at the top and the search engine should find everything availible for your car.

http://www.ssbrakes.com/

big_tiger15 · Sep 6, 2005

Redfire 05 said:
Stainless Steel Brakes Co. make kits for the front and rear like Baer. They offer kits for 4 or 5 lug in various rotor sizes. Enter the make, model and year of your car at the top and the search engine should find everything availible for your car.

http://www.ssbrakes.com/

The Caliper size is the same as a Cobras. So you could most likely buy factory parts with new slotted rotors, and get the same result. From what I have read buying a 93 (Cobra) or 94-95 Master Cylinder, get a set of 100% BRAND NEW Cobra Calipers, or Mark VII (forgot if you have to swap to 5 lug to use Mark VII calipers), a set of slotted or drilled rotors (Most people say Slotted is better for street), and new steel braided lines. Oh yea dont forget a set of performance pads (I have VGX on my Mustang)
I dont know of a place to get brand new Corba Calipers.

Hope I actually help you in some way.

tjm73 · Sep 6, 2005

JaysGreenLX said:
Lord only knows why 4 lugs were even put on these cars.

I'm not the Lord, but I do know the answer to this.

4 lugs met Ford's duribility requirements and allowed them to save weight and, most importently to Ford, money by using 4 less parts on every car they built. Not a lot on a single car, but multiply it by hundreds of thousands of cars and the cost savings adds up.

JaysGreenLX · Sep 6, 2005

tjm73 said:
I'm not the Lord, but I do know the answer to this.

4 lugs met Ford's duribility requirements and allowed them to save weight and, most importently to Ford, money by using 4 less parts on every car they built. Not a lot on a single car, but multiply it by hundreds of thousands of cars and the cost savings adds up.

Thank you Captain Obvious

I know the reason for it, but its just silly that a so called "performance car" is given the same about of lugs as a Festiva. Plus the wheel options really suck for 4 lug cars.

Well thats enough Ford blasphemy for today.

aaros · Sep 6, 2005

baer makes a kit, ive seen it for around 1300 with a 300 core. this kit should fit a 16 inch rim.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 6, 2005

Baer does make a 12" front rotor kit which will fit the 16" wheel.

Gonna cost some $$$$

dead · Sep 6, 2005

How much larger do you want to go? Arent they around 11" rotors stock? Go too much bigger and you won't even fit 16's in there... I think

There are a lot of things you can do to improve braking performance without going to larger rotors.

Edit: oh, by the way, it's SVO calipers that have the 73 mm piston.

87 GT · Sep 7, 2005

dead
Let's be honest - the stock 10.9" brakes SUCK. I already have "upgraded" to the SVO calipers, braided stainless lines, Performance Friction pads and cooling hoses. Barely adequate for open track use. Goes through rotors like crazy.

Mustang 5L5, aaros
I'll check out the Baer 12" kit. Not sure if 12" will be large enough for a 3000 lb car.

JaysGreenLX, tjm73, big_tiger15, Redfire 05
I agree, 5 lugs would be better, but, honestly, I've never heard of anyone having problems with their 4-lug setup. I just hate the "ricer" look of 4-lugs. The Stainless Steel Brakes "big brake" kit is a joke. $650 for calipers, braided hoses and slotted rotors? You can get the same setup from your local parts house for half the $$$.

I'm going to research the Baer 12" kit. A buddy on another forum also suggested Wilwood may have a 4-lug kit. The replacement parts (pads, rotors) seem to be MUCH cheaper from Wilwood vs Baer.

Thanks all for the input. The search continues....

dead · Sep 7, 2005

Ah.. yes well, upgraded they're good for the street. I thought if you'd be doing track racing there would be no need to stick with 16" wheels

JaysGreenLX · Sep 7, 2005

87 GT said:
I'll check out the Baer 12" kit. Not sure if 12" will be large enough for a 3000 lb car.

If thats the case then you should start looking for 17" wheels as well.

Are you running rear disc brakes? It would improve braking slightly. Plus if you are interested in tracking the car, you can pop in an adjustable prop. valve and regulate your bias.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 7, 2005

87 GT said:
Mustang 5L5, aaros
I'll check out the Baer 12" kit. Not sure if 12" will be large enough for a 3000 lb car.

Someone i know runs the Baer 12"/12" kit on their '86 GT and runs open track with the car. I don't beleive i have ever hear him complain about the brakes.

I beleive it's the same caliper as th 13" kits...just with the 12" rotor

Andres2882 · Sep 7, 2005

Aerospace has a 4lug 4 piston kit as well.

aaros · Sep 7, 2005

i was thinking of the baer kit cause i dont want to have to swap to 5 lug and buy new rims and tires. 1300 with a 300 core and can get them polished for like 150 more or powder coated for i think 160 more 2 piece rotors were like 170

EddieHaskell · Sep 7, 2005

Does anyone have stats on the different braking systems on fox cars? like 60-0 times.

larger 4-lug front brakes?

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