Upgrading brakes on my '03 Stang GT

[Jarhed]

I'm looking to upgrade my brakes (rotors & pads) on my '03 Mustang GT. They're currently stock. Can this be done w/o changing the calipers? I plan on ordering the parts online and instalingl them myself. Does anyone know any reliable websites?Opinions, suggestions???

Thanks...

 

[mustang50v8]

yep get some Hawk HPS pads for the front and rear

and just some normal semi upgraded rotors and you will be set. i like those because they are a standard replacement but the fins and the hats are painted so they dont rust and look like poo after a week and a half.


with just those upgrades you will feel a great increase in stopping power and pedal firmness

 

[Stark77]

stainless steel brake lines will be a nice upgrade as well - The mach1 / cobra front brake upgrade kit can be had for about 400 dollars - mach1 for less

 

[02nightmaregt]

Cobrared has a pretty good upgrade on his car and if i remember correctly he said it was fairly inexpensive. I'll see if i can find a link for ya. Semper

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

If you keep the stock calipers, you want only change the rotors to something drilled and slotted, stainless lines and a better set of pads.

I recommend a brake fluid change also. Brake fluid is overlooked, but it is so crutial to have nice clean brake fluid in your car. Over time, brake fluid gets water in it from condensation and that changes the boiling point. The older the fluid is, the less effective stopping power you will have. Just bleed the brakes out and keep adding fluid as you do it. When you start seeing clear fluid come through, then you know your done.

 

[02nightmaregt]

+1 on the fluid, good tip SVT

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

No problem, and thanks.

 

[IIGood]

Might want to consider "going bigger" with the brakes. I mean, if you'll be changing everything else, why not? Just a couple more bolts. I upgraded my GT's front brakes to the 13" rotors and matching calipers from the Mach 1. The whole setup looks so much better behind the wheel and gives a nice little bump in breaking power. And yes, change out that brake fluid while you're there.

 

[mustang50v8]

BTW....what is the best way to flush the brake fluid and replace it with synthetic fluid?

 

[poindexternasty]

Do stainless lines actually improve braking performance or are they just stronger and resist heat and pressure better?

 

[Stark77]

rubber lines flex/swell under heavy braking pressure the stainless lines will give you better braking feedback and more firm/consistent braking

 

[twogts4us]

Do the sub $400 Mach 1 / Cobra brake front brake upgrade. Best bang for the buck. You get much better braking, stainless lines, and they look great. Since most of your braking is in the front anyway, this should be your first upgrade. And maybe your last.
For the back, Baer makes a "+1" setup that utilizes the stock calipers with new rotors and brackets that would be a good match.

 

[darkside03gt]

I also recomend the mach1 brake upgrade. buyfordracing.com currently sells a kit that comes with mach1 calipers brembo rotors and ss brake lines for 359. you can also upgrade to 11.65 inch rear rotors for 175 that kit also comes with brembo discs caliper brackets and dust shields. its also quite a bit cheaper then the bear kit.

when you add up the total price of the upgrade compaired to just buying rotors and pads the price difference isnt that much and worth every penny. just dont buy any of the bear 2 piston front single piston rear kits as they are the exact same thing (bear uses the same pbr calipers) as the cobra/mach1/bullitt upgrade and will cost you 3 times as much.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Cobrared has a pretty good upgrade on his car and if i remember correctly he said it was fairly inexpensive. I'll see if i can find a link for ya. Semper

Thanks 02night
here it is:
http://forums.stangnet.com/763948-read-new-signature-vids-pics-too.html
I paid $175 shipped for one bullit caliper and one mach 1 caliper (same thing, just take different size banjo bolts). Shaved of the white horse on the bullit caliper and painted both red with caliper paint i alreay had.
I paid $90 shipped a group buy price and free shipping for 2 13" front cobra slotted discs zinc coated hats painted to you color preference. SRT runs them and he got 2 years out of the pads with slotteds and the dics held up great.
I paid $60 for teflon wrapped stainless steel line from lastcallracing.

$325 shipped for the whole deal. Buy ford racing is $359 + 70 shipping to me.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Best Damn $350 I ever spent. Plus they just LOOK much better


Mach 1 calipers
Brembo rotors
Stainless Steel lines
Valvoline Synpower Brake fluid


BTW, flush your brake fluid YEARLY. Nobody ever does this, but i do it at the end of fall when humidty levels drop since brake fluid likes to soak up moisture.

 

[twogts4us]

BTW, flush your brake fluid YEARLY. Nobody ever does this, but i do it at the end of fall when humidty levels drop since brake fluid likes to soak up moisture.

Agreed! You'll be surprised by the difference (and shocked by the color of the old stuff). Add this to your to do along with a fuel filter change...

Best Damn $350 I ever spent. Plus they just LOOK much better

Couldn't agree more...check out my attached pic of my ol' "black is beautiful" NOS Noszle injected beast...God rest her soul.