Quick question about brakes and tires

[Nottoofast50]

I am trying to figure out what i want to do with my brakes. I just had the thought that even if i upgrade to great brakes it will just lock the tires up quicker not stop quicker. Is this true? Are the brakes only as good as the tires? Or do the better(bigger) brakes not lockup as easily?

 

[D0cks]

for the best stopping time ull need disc breaks on the rear, stock ure car comes with drum breaks. So a nice big disc break with a good tire will definatly bring ure stopping distance down.

 

[Nottoofast50]

I realize that, i am planning on switching to cobra disc on all 4. If I can lockup the brakes now thou will it help at all or just be able to lock them up harder?

 

[DarkMesa8]

I've actually had the same concern as you, huge brakes with no ABS. I wonder what people have to say about that.

 

[PhLoBuS]

when did they start abs on mustangs?

 

[DarkMesa8]

1994, I'm 99% sure none of the foxbodies had them.

I've got trouble because I have a 91, and a 95. I've got to remember in an emergency situation (split second) to slam the brakes or apply fast/gradual...

 

[Nottoofast50]

mine isn't abs for sure.... i'm just wondering thou if the bigger brakes will help at all or is it tire limited without abs?

 

[racerraj]

Near the limits, the stock brakes lock easier. Upgraded brakes are able to clamp harder without locking, stock one's don't have such "fine increments" (for lack of a better discription). So even with stock tires, better brakes help.

 

[custom89stang]

You are dead on correct, they started the OPTION of ABS brakes in 1994, that being said only some of them, mainly the GT's had ABS brakes.

 

[SPEED FREAK]

Like was said earlier the bigger brakes allow more control, however in the end maximum stopping power is limited by the tires.

 

[v8only]

In "theory" braking ability should have nothing to do with tires. A good driver should be able to modulate the pedal well enough to invoke maximum stopping ability without locking up the brakes. This is of course on optimum surfaces in optimal conditions.

Realize that not ALL stopping conditions result in the necessity to lock brakes. Better brakes will not fade nearly as quickly, not warp as often and stop under much better conditions.

fyi, the rears only control 30% of your braking, and a switch to rear discs in just the rear by itself will not note any significant improvements by itself without adressing the fronts too.

 

[Nottoofast50]

I'm upgrading the front to the 13" cobras and rears to the cobra disc as well. Thx for the replies. I'm hoping this will make the car stop as well as my toyota avalon. The near stock brakes on there now are pretty scary.