Brakes or rather Not..

Intouch · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 01:03 PM

I am proud owner of SPF#2726...
My only issue really are the brakes of the car.

What are the best kits available to upgrade the brakes on my car.
I currently have 15'' wheels on it and already received my 17'' wheel upgrade.

All info on aftermarket kits (baer, brembo, wilwood or others) greatly appreciated

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intouch

I am proud owner of SPF#2726...
My only issue really are the brakes of the car.

I remember a long, detailed thread on the brakes (or lack of) on SPFs and what to do to make them better. It was in the last 12 months, I recall.

Got the Bug · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 03:42 PM

Intouch

Here's a thread from June of 2008 where Barry Bloch of SuperFormance provides the detail regarding their findings of the brake issue and the proposed solution.

Superformance information on new Wilwood brakes

You should probably contact your dealer or Barry directly to discuss.

RonNichols · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 05:03 PM

Wilwood already has a big brake kit for Superformance vehicles. I have the 15" wheels and did a 6 piston big brake upgrade this past fall and only needed a 3mm spacer. I did get a chance to get them partially beded. The rear brakes are my next project, but I've already done so many winter projects without having driven the car that I want to shake down what I've done first before doing this upgrade.

If you are on SCOF, a gentleman by the name of Scott Holley has already upgraded both front and rear on his vehicle, and I believe his is close to yours in production numbers.

R

madmaxx · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 06:09 PM

Intouch,

You are very close to the chassis number where they changed they calipers from 34mm to 31mm. I feel the biggest bang for the buck, I did the conversion, was using the new upgraded front brake PAD. I will also say this I have driven/worked on 15 plus cobras and SPF brakes are miles ahead compared to others, saying that I never worked on an ERA or Kirkham.

Got the Bug · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Intouch,

You are very close to the chassis number where they changed they calipers from 34mm to 31mm. I feel the biggest bang for the buck, I did the conversion, was using the new upgraded front brake PAD. I will also say this I have driven/worked on 15 plus cobras and SPF brakes are miles ahead compared to others, saying that I never worked on an ERA or Kirkham.

The thread from June indicated that the brake configuration changed after 2713.

Hammer65 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 10:35 PM

The thread that's referenced was started by wanab5150 and goes through a lengthy journey. As a result, My install included an electric vacuum pump with the then "New" combination rear brakes and emergency brakes by Wilwood. These were later upgraded to a similar combination brake to 41mm calipers.

I did have to replace the hose that came with the vacuum pump to a heavier design. The original fractured at a small bend near the pump attributed to vibration.

pooreds · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 11:00 PM

Oh, what a can of worms you opened.
Yes, it sucks spending 40k on a roller and then have to upgrade the brakes. I now have a v-belt driven vacuum pump to make the brakes work. They work well enough, I think SPF could have done much better. I'll be watching your upgrade posts.

Bill Wells · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 06:03 AM

almost every time this comes up , infrequently except for the 427R engined cars, it relates to more of a lack of vacuum pressure than the brakes on the SPF .

The friend I had with that problem had a 427R and they said the cam etc in the Roush motor did not develop enough vacuum causing substandard brake performance and stalling at stop signs/lights . He added a vacuum booster and can and voila, brakes were fine .

I recall similar 427R engined reports on cc, folks were blaming the brakes and in fact it seemed to be centered primarily around 427R folks - and when vacuum was increased , their problems went away .

Now, like other cars, I am sure someone else had a problem that was not vacuum related - as someone else reported in this thread . . so , could be two causes to your woes , howeve i note you have a 427R engine . Bill

vegasmike · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 11:10 AM

I have SPF 2813 with a Roush 427SR/TW and have no problems with the brakes as installed by my dealer with no vacuum mods.

PANAVIA · #11 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 12:34 AM

I have 2734 and Superformance swapped out my calipers and pads (we did the labor) car stops now. would like a bit more braking power , but car stops as well as my 67 vette did.

thudmaster · #12 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 12:40 AM

Howie..........how is my other superformance doing? Long time no hear from......I'm still driving the Jag. Gawd i think I'm starting to miss the Cobra...

Night Enforcer · #13 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 01:20 PM

SPF #2864+427R+Pulley driven vacumn pump=good brake set up. Not great but good. I intend to look and see how I can upgrade this summer to get them to be great.

Spoooky · #14 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 02:40 PM

I have a pulley driven vacuum pump as well and it works pretty good also. Always looking for more though.

SPF2245 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 03:26 PM

Intouch, not trying to second guess anything you've already tried, but try bumping up the idle on the motor to build more vacuum. It's a cheap fix that worked to make my brakes more usable when the motor was near idle (Roush 427R). When I lowered the idle too far (about 950), it really did a number on the brake pressure available. I just kept upping it a few hundred until I got not only more brakes back but could kill the motor w/o the motor starting to "diesel" when turned off. Just a thought, and if it doesn't work your not out any money for trying.

patrickt · #16 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 03:35 PM

So do all SPFs have to have power brakes? You can't get an SPF that just uses nice big Sierras, Wilwoods or the like without the nuisance of the power/vacuum part?

Got the Bug · #17 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

So do all SPFs have to have power brakes? You can't get an SPF that just uses nice big Sierras, Wilwoods or the like without the nuisance of the power/vacuum part?

I don't think you have an option.

Just curious. Is there really much difference between the vacuum of a Roush 402 and a Roush 427? It just seems like this issue is hit our miss and isolated to specific series of SPF chassis numbers.

Fortunately, I've never had any brake issues.

Night Enforcer · #18 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 07:03 PM

Might be a good suggestion on the idle increase. My 427R with a Holley 870 puts out 10-10.25 in. of vacumn at 1000 to 1050 RPMs at idle, with the idle mixture screws adjusted to the "highest vacumn" setting. If I remeber correctly 10 in. was the min. that Superformance recomends for the brake booster.

PANAVIA · #19 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 01:39 AM

10 is really low vac, I cant imagine a booster being 100% functional at that level.

There are electric vac motors that can supplement. -- if i was pulling 10" i would consider this a priority.

Ant · #20 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 02:08 AM

I havent owned a cobra with a power booster, and quite frankly wouldnt bother with one! I have AP 6 pots PN#5570 front calipers and AP 4 pots #5100 for the rear on 330mm front rotors and 295mm rear rotors, using Pagid RS5 pads all round plus AP Master Cylinders, these calipers I consider superior than Wilwood for one reason they have integral dust seals and are designed for road conditons where few of the Wilwoods have dust seals, plus the AP is considered by factory race teams to be a more stable product.

I will come honest I really wanted to see the yellow AP logo throught the knock on wheels..........!!!

I believe with careful selection of hydraulic brake components eg piston sizes etc and Brake pads which have different friction compounds there is no need for a power booster, but I guess I am a die hard enthusiast that will put up with a heavy steering, hard brake pedal monster.