Why switch to 5 lug?

deftsound

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
#1
Well im wanting to put a new set of wheels on my 87 but am debating whether to switch to 5 lug or not before i do. Besides having more wheel options by switching to 5 lug, why do people do it? Is it really worth the money or should i just go ahead and get a set of 4 lug wheels that i like?
 
#2
I did cobra brakes on my car.

Yes, there is a huge difference in performance, and it looks so much better, especially if the wheel you choose is an open spoke design. Instead of looking through the spokes and seeing suspension parts, you see a massive rotor. To me it's almost part of the wheel and tire package.
 
#3
Mustang5L5 said:
I did cobra brakes on my car.

Yes, there is a huge difference in performance, and it looks so much better, especially if the wheel you choose is an open spoke design. Instead of looking through the spokes and seeing suspension parts, you see a massive rotor. To me it's almost part of the wheel and tire package.
Click to expand...

What are the performance differences, assuming im keeping the stock brakes?
 
#5
deftsound said:
What are the performance differences, assuming im keeping the stock brakes?
Click to expand...

stock brakes no performance gain. larger brakes= more swep area or rotor surface area, this gives more consistant braking with less fade and more leverage ( the more repeated stops you make.. more so under hard braking the more heat is built up in the rotor/pads and the more pedal effort is the result until they basically hit the floor). figure in a good set of pads with a good friction material for the street and you have vastly improved the braking over stock.
 
#6
lancec2c30 said:
You don't consider better braking an add to performance?
Click to expand...

Of course i do, Im just not ready to spend that kind of money yet. However, I did find a 5 lug conversion kit on ebay for 325$ so i might go ahead and do it. I really don't think the stock brakes are all that bad to be honest. And this is coming from someone who's used to 13" cobra brakes...

I really would like to put a set of bullits on, and I think i could probably trade my old 99 gt wheels along with the ponys for a set plus cash maybe so i think im leaning towards the 325$ 5 lug kit...
 
#8
deftsound said:
Of course i do, Im just not ready to spend that kind of money yet. However, I did find a 5 lug conversion kit on ebay for 325$ so i might go ahead and do it. I really don't think the stock brakes are all that bad to be honest. And this is coming from someone who's used to 13" cobra brakes...

I really would like to put a set of bullits on, and I think i could probably trade my old 99 gt wheels along with the ponys for a set plus cash maybe so i think im leaning towards the 325$ 5 lug kit...
Click to expand...

you asked about the performance gain. the stock brakes aren't horrible but still sub par. I made them a little better by installing a better blank and pads + tires and watching my driving but they would be dead with repeated hard braking, auto-X or a track day. for normal cruising they are fine.
 
#9
with 5 lug you get that warm fuzzy feeling, people dont look at you funny anymore, you have unlimited wheel choices, unlimited brake upgrade choices, the lugs look more proportional on the wheel, ect?
 
#12
I have $200 in my 5 lug conversion. Went to a junk yard and bought spindles,rotors, and calipers from a 96 v6 mustang(same as gt) and got 2 passenger side axles from a ranger with drums. I think it was passenger side, if not Im sure Ill be corrected. The only thing else that I bought was a Maximum Motorsports stainless steel line that mates the 95 and up calipers to the stock fox body lines.

If the $325 kit is just 5 lug rotors that fit stock spindles? You wouldnt be able to use the dust cap without modifing the wheel. These are from a lincolin/ranger and is a cheap way to upgrade to 5 lug. But, it still leaves you with limited wheel selection. Basically the 94/95 gt 16 inch wheels are all you can run with dust cap.
 
#13
#14
if your like most mustang modders, you will end up doing it over if you cheap out the first time.

my 5-lug stuff cost me 750 + a few small things. i waited and scored the m2300 kit upgraded for that.

make sure you can live with your axle choice.. ranger axles = stock width. 94-98 axles = .75 wider per side. i got those axles with my kit, and running a 9" rim with any decent sized tire was a BITCH.

if you pick up one of those ghetto 300 dollar kits, imo, id just leave it 4 lug. cause you can run a 5-lug rim, but the choices are so minimal if you want a center cap. then if you go to run any of the good brake setups, you swap it all over again.

go to the junkyard/ebay/forums, get some sn95 spindles and stock gt brakes, then pick your rear end setup.. drum, disc, then axle length. atleast leave yourself the option to upgrade later without being a nightmare.
 
#15
deftsound said:
Of course i do, Im just not ready to spend that kind of money yet. However, I did find a 5 lug conversion kit on ebay for 325$ so i might go ahead and do it. I really don't think the stock brakes are all that bad to be honest. And this is coming from someone who's used to 13" cobra brakes...

I really would like to put a set of bullits on, and I think i could probably trade my old 99 gt wheels along with the ponys for a set plus cash maybe so i think im leaning towards the 325$ 5 lug kit...
Click to expand...

are you on drugs, ever take your car to the canyons and actually need to stop?
 
#17
the kit your talking about its the cheap way out, youll be back in less than a year redoing it. its using mark 7 spindles, and they stick out further so you wont be able to run bullitt wheels with center caps. you cant run most of the 5 lug wheels with center caps. theres only about 4 or 5 sets of wheels you can run with that kit with center caps. i cant find the site that explains it all but if i do ill post it. with that setup its pretty much a 5 lug fox factory setup. you have bearings in the rotors, and studs on the rotors. with sn95 stuff you get spindles with sealed hubs and studs on that, then a normal rotor.
 
#18
I'm really starting to think im just going to say ***** it and get the 4 lug saleen wheels i want. Ill never be autocrossing this car, the only track duty it will see is occasionally at the drag strip. This is going to be a cruiser....
 
#19
you could just get 5 lug axles, ranger drums and SVO discs for the front.

Im running GT brakes in the rear, SVO rotors up front with bigger SVO calipers and the car stops good, and i dont have a ton of money in the setup
 
#20
deftsound said:
I'd really rather not go the junk yard to find the parts, around houston it seems like finding a mustang in a junk yard is hard to do.

I plan on running stock 2003 17x8 bullits btw....
Click to expand...

Keep your eyes open. There are stang parts coming up all the time. I have a set of 94/95 spindles Id let go. You will need rotors and calipers. Part of the fun is walking the j/y and looking over all the cars. There are kits out there, but you will pay big money for them! The m2300 is basically brake system from a 94up cobra. If you know what parts to buy, BuyFordRacing has cobra calipers and rotors on sale often. G/L with search.
 
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