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Topic: My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea (Read 10116 times) previous topic - next topic

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Ramos617;448784
You might not need the adaptor
With my 87 TC the stock 03/04 cobra brake lines bolted right into the factory lines. I don't think the thread are different reg sn95 vs cobra

Rockauto will generally tell you if the ports for the MC and calipers are the same. Centric usually shows their specs.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1430183,parttype,1704
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2038606&cc=1430183

'03/'04 Cobra and '87 TC use 10mmx1.00 threads on the caliper
Non Cobra SN95 uses 10mmx1.50 threads

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #31 –
Quote from: JeremyB;448809
Rockauto will generally tell you if the ports for the MC and calipers are the same. Centric usually shows their specs.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1430183,parttype,1704
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2038606&cc=1430183

'03/'04 Cobra and '87 TC use 10mmx1.00 threads on the caliper
Non Cobra SN95 uses 10mmx1.50 threads

Nice to know,  I guess I got lucky doing my swap then lol
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #32 –
Vinnie,

So are you going five or four lug?

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #33 –
Not sure Darren.....here's the deal.....I can go with the larger Fox Mustang brakes up front (or Turbo Coupe), and use the TC rear brakes (or SN-95 brakes drilled for 4 lug). OR, do the 5 lug swap and sell my wheels and buy replacements. Depends on cost and availablity of parts. I'm thinking 5 lug would be the way to go because of brake options. Not concerned with the availability of wheels. I'd keep the same style.

I don't mean to be wishy washy, this is really the first time I've really started to think seriously about upgadin them. I know mine suck, so, something has to change.

I'll just do it like everything else....make a list of everything I'd need, start gathering pieces one at a time (or more parts if the deal is good) til I get everything....once I have everything, tear into it.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #34 –
If you wanted to stay 4 lug I might have everything you need, shipping would be costly though
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #35 –
I would need everything except the rear axles to stay 4 lug. My axles are fine.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #36 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;448837
Not sure Darren.....here's the deal.....I can go with the larger Fox Mustang brakes up front (or Turbo Coupe), and use the TC rear brakes (or SN-95 brakes drilled for 4 lug). OR, do the 5 lug swap and sell my wheels and buy replacements. Depends on cost and availablity of parts. I'm thinking 5 lug would be the way to go because of brake options. Not concerned with the availability of wheels. I'd keep the same style.

I don't mean to be wishy washy, this is really the first time I've really started to think seriously about upgadin them. I know mine suck, so, something has to change.

I'll just do it like everything else....make a list of everything I'd need, start gathering pieces one at a time (or more parts if the deal is good) til I get everything....once I have everything, tear into it.
With Mustang or TC spindles & calipers, you can use the MK-VII rotors to upgrade to five lug...

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #37 –
I don't mind TC brakes and 4 lug at all. I mean, I already have wheels that still basically brand new. 4 lug would really make things easier.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #38 –
So here is what you can do to stay four lug and get some better braking.

Front Brakes
Move up to the spindles for the 11" front brakes, get some remanufactured 60mm front calipers, some new 11" rotor, new bearings, and some really good brake pads.  For the pads I would suggest Hawk HP's.  I run them and they do not dust like the HP+'s but they are fairly aggressive and resist fade really well.

Rear Brakes
Swap out to the TC rear end.  You already have the housing and gears so all you need is the axles, axle brackets, caliper brackets, calipers, rotors, and soft brake lines.  If you can find a complete TC rear end that may be easier to just swap in but with that you have unknowns like the bearings, seals, gear wear, worn calipers, etc.  However you come up with the hardware to make the swap I would suggest some remanufactured calipers, new rotors, and some Hawk HP pads.  Again, I run the Hawk pads so I have a lot of faith in them.

Master Cylinder and Brake Booster
At this point you are running the 93 Cobra brakes so upgrade to the 93 Cobra MC and Booster.  I don't think I really need to explain why but if need be I can get into it as I have done several times on this site in other threads.  You may also need to get the 3-2 conversion kit but I cannot remember what MC you have now.

Adjustable Proportioning Valve
Get one and install it on the line to your rear brakes.  Gut the proportioning valve side of the factory combination valve (brass distribution block) under the MC mounted on the inner fender area.  A new nut/plug will be needed and are available at Late Model Restoration Supply.  Google this here or on the interweb as it has been beat to death.

Bleed your brakes and you are done.  This is as good as a four lug braking system will get without spending money on an aftermarket kit but once you see the cost on those you will just sell your wheels and convert to the SN95 stuff and be done with it.

Remember, you need to bed your brakes after installing them to get maximum performance and I recommend doing this every once in a while as it cleans the pads and rotors and who doesn't like the smell of burnt brake pads in the morning?

DO NOT get the 73 mm SVO front calipers unless you are willing to install the larger SVO rear calipers.  This is called brake bias and Jack Hidley explains this pretty well here:

http://forums.corral.net/forums/5297690-post43.html

If you have any questions let me know but this is it man, other than this you need to step up to the SN95 brakes which opens up a whole new world.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #39 –
Quote from: Aerocoupe;448928
DO NOT get the 73 mm SVO front calipers unless you are willing to install the larger SVO rear calipers.  This is called brake bias and Jack Hidley explains this pretty well here:

http://forums.corral.net/forums/5297690-post43.html
Holy , that was 10 years ago? Times flies! I was a bit sassier then. :beatyoass:

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #40 –
Awesome info. Thanks a lot. I'll go that route.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #41 –
Well good luck and post up what you do and the results.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #42 –
I will post up pics and everything once I gather everything I need. It'll take time, but it will get done.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..
 

My "bigger and slightly better brakes" idea

Reply #43 –
Vinnie, I'm not trying to sway you in any way, but with the TC/11" setup, you're pretty much at the design limits of the brakes, short of better pads and DOT 4 or 5 fluid, though that's probably overkill for anything but a dedicated track car.

If you even slightly think you'll go 5 lug some day down the road, may as well do it now...no sense in doing it twice, though that's the biggest irony, coming from me.

Just a thought. Either way, as I've mentioned, I've got both sets of spindles...etc.
'84 Mustang
'98 Explorer 5.0
'03 Focus, dropped a valve seat. yay. freakin' split port engines...
'06 Explorer EB 4.6