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Topic: Crown Vic master cylinder and stock V6 brakes? (Read 915 times) previous topic - next topic

Crown Vic master cylinder and stock V6 brakes?

Has anyone done this? What kind of pedal would I have?

I've kinda got myself in between a rock and a hard place. Promised to loan the car to a friend for a while and while getting it road ready I found out I've got a bad master cylinder. I don't have the time to do the 5 lug swap I'd been planning right now. I'm inclined to just install an Crown Vic master cylinder but I'm afraid the brakes will be a little too 'jumpy' with the stock setup. Am I just wasting time worrying or should I waste the $$$ on a stock master cylinder and wait till I do the swap to change to the bigger one?

Crown Vic master cylinder and stock V6 brakes?

Reply #1
Go stock and just wait a while. Its not that bad a decision.

Crown Vic master cylinder and stock V6 brakes?

Reply #2
A bigger master cylinder shouldn't make your brakes more jumpy, it should actually have the opposite effect and increase pedal effort. That's part of the research I did when I did the brake upgrade on my car - a bigger piston in the master cylinder will mean more pressure is needed on the pedal. It will move more fluid than a stock M/C, and it takes more effort to move that fluid. You're changing your power input to power output ratio. A smaller M/C would reduce effort but require a longer stroke. Larger shortens the stroke but requires more effort. You need larger when you go with bigger brakes because you run out of stroke with a smaller unit (meaning you just don't have enough volume). The key is finding the balance between having enough stroke and not needing excessive effort. A different booster can help offset the increased pedal effort, but then you might end up with the grabby brakes you fear.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Crown Vic master cylinder and stock V6 brakes?

Reply #3
Well, the 86 Crown Vic one is in stock at my local O'Reillys and the T'Bird one can't be found in town. I'll let you guys know what the pedal feels like Wednesday if all goes well...


Have to concentrate on taxes tonight...

Crown Vic master cylinder and stock V6 brakes?

Reply #4
get one for a 4 cylinder mustang. I'm fairly sure there all the same being as the use the same brake system.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Crown Vic master cylinder and stock V6 brakes?

Reply #5
I ended up using a reman stocker for the 86 CV from O'reilly's. Brake feel is fine with no 'grabbyness' or any other problem that I've found after a couple hundred miles of driving it. The only problem I have is somewhere I read it was supposed to have a 1.125" bore and this one is advertised 1" which isn't that much larger than stock. It's also steel and not aluminum, couldn't seem to find one of those remanned.

I guess I'll find out if I need to buy another MC when I do the 5 lug swap/brake upgrade.....