Brake size input wanted

[Traveller]

I am now at the point of installing brakes and am second guessing myself and would appreciate opinions from the group.

I have the complete kit with IRS and manual brakes. I chose to NOT buy the wilwood upgraded brakes, so I have the GT 11" fronts and the 13" rears, all on 18" halibrands.

I ordered the standard brakes based on the the car being a road cruiser (although with some spirited driving) and little to no expected track time.

I welcome your feedback on 1) performance-wise do you feel this setup will perform well? and 2) will the relatively small and unequal sized rotors look silly in the 18" wheels?

Thanks,
-Jason

[wallace18]

We used that same set up on a 427 MK4 with no issues. Though it does look different. You could just upgrade the fronts to Wilwood's. See build thread below.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...4-build-thread

[AC Bill]

The brakes you have will be fine performance wise, especially for a 99% street beast. It's a light vehicle, and they won't be subject to constant heavy use, as a race car would.

[Avalanche325]

Correct brake size = Big 'uns.

[David Williamson]

it really is cosmetic on a street car. My Mkll still has 93 Mustang brakes, 11 inch fronts and 9 inch drums on the back and it stops just fine. The new Coupe I went with Wilwoods stops fine and looks better.
Just remember we like to help you spend $$$
David W

[Avalanche325]

I'll argue that even a street car can't stop too fast. I'll bet your coupe stops in a shorter distance than your MKII. Far from cosmetic if someone pulls out in front of you. One more foot can be one foot too much.
I am a fan of Wilwoods on these cars.

[rich grsc]

I'll argue that even a street car can't stop too fast. I'll bet your coupe stops in a shorter distance than your MKII. Far from cosmetic if someone pulls out in front of you. One more foot can be one foot too much.
I am a fan of Wilwoods on these cars.

Brakes are not as much a limiting factor, tire adhesion is. You can have the most massive brakes in the world, and they aren't worth a dime if you have lousy tires.

[GoDadGo]

What about upgrading to the 13" Cobra/Mach-1 front set up?
That way you can get pads and rotors nearly anywhere.
All Ford Brakes May Be The Easiest Options!

https://lmr.com/item/SVE-2300CB-S/mu...4-c-tek-rotors

Steve

PS:.. Then stuff a Chevy in it to make it go.

[frankeeski]

I have to agree with Rich. I've watched a few brake threads on the forum here lately and just about cringe everytime I hear someone say "you want to lock-up blah, blah, blah brakes first". Really???? I don't want to lock up ANY brakes first or at all. If you're locking brakes, you're no longer braking, you're sliding out of control. Stock brakes are fine, especially with the 2002+ Mustang 2 piston calipers in front. Want more grip? Go for a more aggressive pad, corner-weight the car and learn how to threshold brake.

[CraigS]

You will be fine. That is almost exactly what I have. In fact my fronts may be just a tad smaller because they have the older single piston calipers.

[Traveller]

Thank you everyone. I am going to stick with what I have. In Michigan, there are many non-driving months each year so plenty of opportunity to upgrade in the future if desired.

-Jason

[Avalanche325]

Brakes are not as much a limiting factor, tire adhesion is. You can have the most massive brakes in the world, and they aren't worth a dime if you have lousy tires.

AMEN, brother!

I am with you 110 %.

I was going to add ...."and you need good tires". But I thought people might be tired of hearing me say it.

[Big Blocker]

I have to agree with what Frank said above - if you are locked, you are out of control.

That being said, I run the 13", dual piston conversion on the front of my MK-II - no power assist and can stop hard enough to stand the car on it's nose (actually just a figure of speech, made by [old] car guys that want to "express" just how hard it stops).
11.65" in the rear, single piston. Car is corner weighted and I can stand on the pedal and lock all four, but have learned to "throttle" the brakes for maximum grip.

Doc