Front brake upgrade

Popeye · #1 (**permalink**) 09-06-2002, 08:59 PM

I am trying to find a front brake upgrade for a Mustang II front suspension. Current brakes are 9 1/4" and I want to use 11". The problem I'm having is I have 4 lug rotors and all the kits seem to be five lug.
If anyone knows where I should look please let me know. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.
Popeye

super38 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2002, 09:58 PM

Try Baer Brakes they have 12" & 13" diameters for 4 lugs. Good Luck

Popeye · #3 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the lead. I'll check out Baer.

Jack21 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 12:40 PM

For 15" wheels, the most brakes you can put on your fronts are Stainless Steel Brakes 4 piston calipers on Grenads 11" rotors. They should be able to re-drill the rotors for 4 lug bolt pattern. The calipers are actually newly manufactured Kelsey-Hayes calipers as used on '66 & '67 Mustang GT's. They work great. Kit is $695.

Now, if you have 17" wheels, by all means, go to Baer and check out their 13"front/12" rear caliper/rotor setup.

Rick Parker · #5 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 04:08 PM

If you have 4 lug wheels you can machine the 4 bolt pattern on a set of Ford Granada front rotors. Not a big deal. The offset difference is about 3/8" further out than original Mustang II stuff. But the larger brakes are definately worth the effort. Better to have 5 lugs however.

Rick

Popeye · #6 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to go to five lug and just change the wheels.
Popeye

kountzecobra · #7 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 06:03 PM

I think 5 lug wheels is the best way to go. I used Speedway Motors 11" brake kit on my CMC Cobra frontend. Uses Granada rotors and GM calipers. Also used Explorer 11" discs on rear. Stops well. Later David.

Popeye · #8 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 08:06 PM

David,
Thanks for the info. I'm changing to coilovers on the front end and I'm having to use tubular A-arms as the stock uppers hit the spring box. There isn't enough clearance on the inside of the standard A-arm to let the wheel all the way down when you jack up the front end. I don't know if this is a problem with the CMC or if it happens on other manufacturers as well. Where did you find your kits front and rear? I'd like to use the tried and true if they worked on your CMC.
Popeye

kountzecobra · #9 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 09:12 PM

I had same problem with upper arms hitting spring saddles. Used tube arms (uppers only) from Speedway Motors. Don't have coilovers on front yet (Carrera coilovers with 200# springs on rear). Have Pro Shocks on front with 350# std. coils on front. Always ready to help with info. (Maybe I can save someone the problems I went through in my build) You coming to Houston meeting next weekend? Later, David.

Popeye · #10 (**permalink**) 09-08-2002, 10:46 AM

Thanks David. See you at the meeting Saturday morning.
Popeye

Jack21 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-08-2002, 07:33 PM

Converting to MII front coilovers.

Heidts makes an upper "D" arm that clears wide spring perches on street rods, and Cobras.

Then, the uppers have to get aligned, then stay aligned. That MII's were able to do this at all remains a mystery, as it doesn't work too well on a Cobra. Tom Beroth at bethania-garage.com makes upper control arm brackets that allow you to align front end with shims.

RCC in Ft. Worth has lower control arms in strut rod, and strutless, with the shock mounted lower than the centerline of the arm. Gives the shock more travel. They may also have uppers similar to Heidts. They also have the Carrera coil overs with conical springs to fit the MII upper spring perch. (dwayne9.addr.com)