Worth upgrading brakes?

1969Mach1 · 10-09-2002, 11:28 AM

I am just watching dream car garage, and they're talking about upgrading brakes. I've seen some prices just to convert just my rear drums into discs and it's about $800-$1000US to change them. Do you think it would be worth changing drums to discs? I was thinking of doing it but not for awhile, due to money issues and there is alot I would like to get done first. Also would you upgrade the front discs to bigger discs (slotted and drilled), along with bigger calipars... just wondering if you think it's worth it. And how much do you think it would cost to upgrade the front discs to bigger discs?

§am.

avbcon12 · 10-09-2002, 01:28 PM

it is VERY much worth it! i just did mine and couldnt tell you the difference that it made. and my stock brakes werent bad. i didnt do a rear disc swap, just the front upgrade and it is great.

if you start building the car to go fast then you need to slow it down somehow other than a tree.....

http://svo73mm.cjb.net/ this site is great. i have to give credit to Matt, he knows his stuff....!

take care,
adam

Mustang_289 · 10-09-2002, 01:42 PM

I would upgrade the fronts - keep the rears drum - unless you're going to do some road racing, just my opinion.

drudis · 10-10-2002, 10:19 AM

Do you NEEEEEED new brakes? (just trying to save you money).

If yes, then its worth it. If not, why bother?
I roadrace, and the 13" brakes/wheels/tires is about $3500 and worth every penny!!!

ultraflo · 10-13-2002, 11:27 AM

I ran a Baer 4wd setup for about a year before switching over to the MUCH lighter Aerospace setup for drag racing....

The Baer system ran me close to 2k for a complete kit... no trips to the hardware store, etc. Excellent kit for a street car/road racer as the braking ability is twice that (and some) of the factory brake system. We're talking throw you through the windshield stopping!!! I opted for the cross drilled, slotted, and zinc washed rotors and they look SWEET with a set of 17" wheels or bigger. I just caught the drag racing bug and later got the Aerospace kit... still got the Baer kit, in hopes that I might buy another Fox Mustang to make a street cruiser out of some day.

To make a long story short, brake upgrades are very much worth it in any circumstance IMO. If you've got the extra cash... otherwise, there are some great aftermarket disc pads/shoes that will make your stang stop better.

HotRoddin · 10-13-2002, 11:57 PM

Here is a link for you to look at ... it pertains to making the swap to a Falcon but it would probably be even easier to make the swap to your Mustang. All you have to do is Keep your eye out for a wrecked 76-79 Lincoln Versailles

http://www.stuart.iit.edu/students/2...estoration.htm

2FastLX · 10-14-2002, 01:25 AM

Let's see...
If you want to make an improvement go with the Cobra stuff. Only bad thing is you'll need to swap to 5 lug wheels. Matt's site is very helpful with all the info you'll need. I tried the cheaper SVO caliper upgrade on the front, and wasn't very impressed. But I have heard a lot of good things about the Cobra stuff. If you can find the parts in a junk yard you can do the Cobra brakes for less than $1000 front and rear. Good luck.

magician2009 · 05-01-2009, 12:55 AM

If performance is important to you, upgrading brakes is always a crazy smart decision. Buy the best, and to make yourself feel better for the cash outlay, have the calipers painted the same color as the car.

You'll feel better, I'll feel better, and highway drivers will have yet another reason to envy Mustang owners.

Do it! Do it now!! Lol.

Good luck.

Scot

10-09-2002, 11:28 AM	#1
1969Mach1 HEY I CAN SET A NAME NOW! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,556	Worth upgrading brakes? I am just watching dream car garage, and they're talking about upgrading brakes. I've seen some prices just to convert just my rear drums into discs and it's about $800-$1000US to change them. Do you think it would be worth changing drums to discs? I was thinking of doing it but not for awhile, due to money issues and there is alot I would like to get done first. Also would you upgrade the front discs to bigger discs (slotted and drilled), along with bigger calipars... just wondering if you think it's worth it. And how much do you think it would cost to upgrade the front discs to bigger discs? §am. __________________ 1969 Mustang Mach 1Sold 351-4V Windsor, 4 Speed MACH 1 - Moving At The Speed Of Sound. 1979 Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car For Sale - Email me for Info 302-2V, 3-Speed Auto One of 2,106 made One of 405 sent to Canada. Yes those are caution lights, and No you can't pass me when there on. Ricer Hater's Club - Member #4

10-09-2002, 01:28 PM	#2
avbcon12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 391	it is VERY much worth it! i just did mine and couldnt tell you the difference that it made. and my stock brakes werent bad. i didnt do a rear disc swap, just the front upgrade and it is great. if you start building the car to go fast then you need to slow it down somehow other than a tree..... http://svo73mm.cjb.net/ this site is great. i have to give credit to Matt, he knows his stuff....! take care, adam __________________ 90 GT black/ grey leather ported GT-40 heads w/ 1.7RR, Cobra intake w/ ported lower, 24# injectors, 190LPH pump, 75mm Pro-M MAF, 65mm TB, K&N panel, BBK long tubes, Off road H-pipe, 2 ch. Flowmaster, Black magic fan, Kirban FPR, 180 deg. T-stat, 3.73's, Steeda Tri-Ax, 130 amp alt. Accell 8.8 race wires/cap/rotor, motorcraft plugs, Factory Five suspension, etc etc etc.... http://avbcon12.stangnet.com

10-10-2002, 10:19 AM	#4
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	Do you NEEEEEED new brakes? (just trying to save you money). If yes, then its worth it. If not, why bother? I roadrace, and the 13" brakes/wheels/tires is about $3500 and worth every penny!!! __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

10-13-2002, 11:27 AM	#5
ultraflo NX dealer-man Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 977	I ran a Baer 4wd setup for about a year before switching over to the MUCH lighter Aerospace setup for drag racing.... The Baer system ran me close to 2k for a complete kit... no trips to the hardware store, etc. Excellent kit for a street car/road racer as the braking ability is twice that (and some) of the factory brake system. We're talking throw you through the windshield stopping!!! I opted for the cross drilled, slotted, and zinc washed rotors and they look SWEET with a set of 17" wheels or bigger. I just caught the drag racing bug and later got the Aerospace kit... still got the Baer kit, in hopes that I might buy another Fox Mustang to make a street cruiser out of some day. To make a long story short, brake upgrades are very much worth it in any circumstance IMO. If you've got the extra cash... otherwise, there are some great aftermarket disc pads/shoes that will make your stang stop better. __________________ RLS Racing! 93 LX 9.20 @ 147mph 03 Mach 1 12.39 @ 116mph

10-14-2002, 01:25 AM	#7
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	Let's see... If you want to make an improvement go with the Cobra stuff. Only bad thing is you'll need to swap to 5 lug wheels. Matt's site is very helpful with all the info you'll need. I tried the cheaper SVO caliper upgrade on the front, and wasn't very impressed. But I have heard a lot of good things about the Cobra stuff. If you can find the parts in a junk yard you can do the Cobra brakes for less than $1000 front and rear. Good luck. __________________ Project: 1988 Coupe - EFI 5.8L Twin Turbo with Victor intake, Canfield heads, F303 cam, March aluminum underdrive pulleys, TKO (or T56 if funds permit), PBR twin piston calipers and 13" rotors up front, 94 Cobra rear calipers and 12" rotors on the rear, 3.73's, Griggs K-member, tubular front control arms, torque arm and panhard bar, polished 99 Cobra wheels. "The GR-40 kit installation is now complete, and the humble Fox-chassis car will now out-corner and out-stop a ZR-1 or a Viper, and support massive horsepower additions with perfect balance." Griggs Racing ICQ# 42269241

10-09-2002, 01:42 PM	#3
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	I would upgrade the fronts - keep the rears drum - unless you're going to do some road racing, just my opinion.

10-13-2002, 11:57 PM	#6
HotRoddin cranky old man Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Longview Texas Posts: 683	Here is a link for you to look at ... it pertains to making the swap to a Falcon but it would probably be even easier to make the swap to your Mustang. All you have to do is Keep your eye out for a wrecked 76-79 Lincoln Versailles http://www.stuart.iit.edu/students/2...estoration.htm

05-01-2009, 12:55 AM	#8
magician2009 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 8	Re: Worth upgrading brakes? If performance is important to you, upgrading brakes is always a crazy smart decision. Buy the best, and to make yourself feel better for the cash outlay, have the calipers painted the same color as the car. You'll feel better, I'll feel better, and highway drivers will have yet another reason to envy Mustang owners. Do it! Do it now!! Lol. Good luck. Scot __________________ Don't Hunt what you Can't Kill

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