Opinions on Brakes

[Dan P.]

Well I think that its time to start looking for possible brake upgrades for my 92. I have a set of spindles, rotors, and calipers from a 93 5.0, but I was thinking about 5 lug and something bigger. Would you guys say to go with a stock “upgrade” like a 99+ stock setup, similar to what Brian did with his 92, or maybe something aftermarket. I am looking for good stopping power and something that will hold up after a few passes down the 1/4 mile and possibly a little Auto Xing.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Asha'man]

Stock Ford stuff is gonna be the cheapest. Baer, SSBC, Wilwood and others have aftermarket systems, but they all seem to run well into the hundreds or thousands of dollars. I'd go with stock parts if I were you.

Brian

 

[mr_woodster]

ash, you need to change your avitar...those are pony's in that picture

 

[Dr_EluSivE]

If money was available i would do a 5 lug brake swap, and a rear end swap from a newer mustang. Of course that means you need to invest in new wheels as well, but as we have seen, 5 lugs wheels look sharp on fox bodys.

Dr.

 

[flyin 5.8]

From what you have now I'd say go to SVO/Lincoln/Police vehicle calipers (steel piston) & upgrade the rear to T-Bird Turbo Coupe disks. With what you have now you should be able to do this for about $500. IMHO the only reason to go 5 lug is for a larger selection of rims.

 

[Dan P.]

If money was available i would do a 5 lug brake swap, and a rear end swap from a newer mustang. Of course that means you need to invest in new wheels as well, but as we have seen, 5 lugs wheels look sharp on fox bodys.

Dr.

Well I think that is a good idea too, because my wheels now are crap. I have two bent rims and I really like the look of the Bullitt rims on a Fox. So rims are in my future, but what year should I get the brakes from? A 99+ Gt or maybe a mixture of newer Gt and aftermarket.

 

[Asha'man]

Dammit, I already changed my avatar....must've got lost in the board crash.

Stand by....

Brian

 

[Asha'man]

There we go.

Brian

 

[Red_LX]

From what you have now I'd say go to SVO/Lincoln/Police vehicle calipers (steel piston) & upgrade the rear to T-Bird Turbo Coupe disks. With what you have now you should be able to do this for about $500. IMHO the only reason to go 5 lug is for a larger selection of rims.

If you're referring to the 73mm front calipers, I wasn't aware that any of those ever came with a steel piston from the factory. If they did I don't think there would be a kit out that lets you replace the phenolic piston with a steel one.

Also, the 2.3L's stock master cylinder isn't enough to push 73mm calipers, I know this from experience.

 

[Asha'man]

Cop cars and some Lincolns had steel pistons.

Brian

 

[flyin 5.8]

If you're referring to the 73mm front calipers, I wasn't aware that any of those ever came with a steel piston from the factory. If they did I don't think there would be a kit out that lets you replace the phenolic piston with a steel one.

Also, the 2.3L's stock master cylinder isn't enough to push 73mm calipers, I know this from experience.

Bought the calipers at NAPA, mid 80's Lincoln MkVII I think. Had to tell them I wanted steel pistons.

I still have the 2.3 MC in mine could be upgraded but still stops better than the 4cyl rotors/calipers. I'll be swaping it for a 94-98 V6/GT unit when I do the Turbo Coupe rear disk swap.

 

[Red_LX]

Huh, I didn't know that.

Well, anyway, whenever I put the 73mm calipers on my LX, I bled the brakes 3 times and the pedal still went clear to the floor. I figured the master cylinder just couldn't move enough fluid for those calipers.

 

[flyin 5.8]

Lots of info on brake swaps here:

http://mjbobbitt.home.comcast.net/index.html

73mm front, TC & Caddy rears, FOX budget 5 lug swaps, SN95->FOX 5 lug swaps/upgrades, MC swaps...