[daz]

My car has 80,000 miles and the original Rotors. I was wondering if it is really worth the $900 to $1500. to convert to larger rotors OR just buy stock sized drilled and slotted rotors?
Won't I get some braking improvement with drilled and slotted over solid surface rotors?
If stock sized drilled and slotted are OK, what is best brand?

[HMUSN]

Welcome to the forums.
Bigger brakes will always stop better than just drilled and slotted rotors.
they are worth the upgrade.
the question is... Do you feel you really need them with your mods?

[daz]

Originally Posted by HMUSN Welcome to the forums. Bigger brakes will always stop better than just drilled and slotted rotors. they are worth the upgrade. the question is... Do you feel you really need them with your mods?

Probably do not need them with current mods. Car is basically stock. My
reaction time is probably a little slow, but I have been noticing that the brakes fade quite a bit in city driving. Stopping fast more important to me than going fast.

[KingChronic]

drilled and slotted rotors DO NOT stop better, they cool better, and evacuate brake dust buildup. but you pay for that by losing brake pad surface area.

alot of auto X guys actually recommend OEM rotors, and a good pad.

if $$ is tight, get the plain jane brembo rotors, theyre like 40-60 each, and hawk HPS pads. also, get stainless lines in the front, rear isnt as important, but those front you will notice a difference.

you can also upgrade to cobra brakes fairly cheap, but for a little more than get the cobra R front brake kit.

you may run into clearance problems with big brake kits, and may require larger wheels.

[KingChronic]

Originally Posted by daz Probably do not need them with current mods. Car is basically stock. My reaction time is probably a little slow, but I have been noticing that the brakes fade quite a bit in city driving. Stopping fast more important to me than going fast.

brake fade... you need stainless lines. good pads help too. rotors do not however.

[daz]

Originally Posted by KingChronic drilled and slotted rotors DO NOT stop better, they cool better, and evacuate brake dust buildup. but you pay for that by losing brake pad surface area. alot of auto X guys actually recommend OEM rotors, and a good pad. if $$ is tight, get the plain jane brembo rotors, theyre like 40-60 each, and hawk HPS pads. also, get stainless lines in the front, rear isnt as important, but those front you will notice a difference. you can also upgrade to cobra brakes fairly cheap, but for a little more than get the cobra R front brake kit. you may run into clearance problems with big brake kits, and may require larger wheels.

Someone mentioned to me that changing the brake fluid to DTF5??? Apparently this allows more heat in the line in city driving? Would that be good to do if I am changing the lines? When you mention the Brembo Brakes, are you recommending the stock size or the big brake kit?
Sorry for the thousand questions.

[gsjohnson]

You can install the Cobra upgrade front & rear, and the assorted other associated goodies for around $1100 The Cobra upgrade including cross drilled and slotted rotors, calipers, steel braided brake lines, Hawk Pads, etc. Front & rear. You could easily perform this install project on a weekend. It's a direct bolt on with no fabbing. With your street driving, I doubt you would feel any brake fading. There are bigger and better brake upgrades out there, but for the money, this package is hard to beat.

[KingChronic]

Originally Posted by daz Someone mentioned to me that changing the brake fluid to DTF5??? Apparently this allows more heat in the line in city driving? Would that be good to do if I am changing the lines? When you mention the Brembo Brakes, are you recommending the stock size or the big brake kit? Sorry for the thousand questions.

fluid wont make that much of a difference, you would be suprised how many auto X'ers, and roadcourse guys actually prefer the motorcraft brake fluid over aftermarket.

i have found brembo everything to be a little bit higher quality until you get into the big big bucks, like stop tech and a few other brands.

if you dont have much $$$ to spend, just get OEM brembo rotors, no slot, no drill, drilled rotors if not high quality can, and will crack.

if you have the $$ though by all means buy a big brake kit. but there is many other things i would spend my $$ on.

i think you would be very happy with a good set of pads, and stainless lines with a complete brake flush. and of course the brembo OEM rotors.

also, NEVER EVER resurface rotors, especially when warped, when they are resurfaced, they are thinner, and more prone to warp, especially under harsher driving conditions. if rotors are worn, replace them. with high performance pads though they wear faster, so alot of times you can go through 2 sets of pads on 1 set of rotors.

[daz]

Originally Posted by KingChronic fluid wont make that much of a difference, you would be surprised how many auto X'ers, and roadcourse guys actually prefer the motorcraft brake fluid over aftermarket. i have found Brembo everything to be a little bit higher quality until you get into the big big bucks, like stop tech and a few other brands. if you don't have much $$$ to spend, just get OEM Brembo rotors, no slot, no drill, drilled rotors if not high quality can, and will crack. if you have the $$ though by all means buy a big brake kit. but there is many other things i would spend my $$ on. i think you would be very happy with a good set of pads, and stainless lines with a complete brake flush. and of course the Brembo OEM rotors. also, NEVER EVER resurface rotors, especially when warped, when they are resurfaced, they are thinner, and more prone to warp, especially under harsher driving conditions. if rotors are worn, replace them. with high performance pads though they wear faster, so alot of times you can go through 2 sets of pads on 1 set of rotors.

Thanks!! This makes good sense to me. I don't mind spending the $$ for the big brakes, but with my type of driving, it is probably not necessary. Swapping out the brake lines and going Brembo would probably do the trick, and I wouldn't have to worry if the Big Brake Kit would clear my 17" Mach 1 style wheels.

[KingChronic]

Originally Posted by daz Thanks!! This makes good sense to me. I don't mind spending the $$ for the big brakes, but with my type of driving, it is probably not necessary. Swapping out the brake lines and going Brembo would probably do the trick, and I wouldn't have to worry if the Big Brake Kit would clear my 17" Mach 1 style wheels.

i think you would be more than happy.

BTW, lethalperformance.com, and also tirerack.com both carry everything you need.

brembo OEM non slotted non drilled rotors
HAWK HPS pads
stainless front lines

and go to the ford dealer, get yourself motorcraft brake fluid, and fluch the whole system

[gsjohnson]

I road raced professionally for years. Most road racers will prefer synthetic brake fluid because it absorbs less moisture and has a higher boiling temperature than conventional brake fluid. The reason conventional brake fluid turns black is because of obsorbing moisture. Thus the reason for bleeding & flushing of the brake fluid. Will it make you car stop better...Probably not. But in an endurance race such as the 24 hours of Daytona, you better pray that you are using synthetic brake fluid.

[gsjohnson]

By the way, the Cobra upgrade will clear your Mach wheels.

[daz]

Originally Posted by KingChronic i think you would be more than happy. BTW, lethalperformance.com, and also tirerack.com both carry everything you need. brembo OEM non slotted non drilled rotors HAWK HPS pads stainless front lines and go to the ford dealer, get yourself motorcraft brake fluid, and fluch the whole system

I just started shopping... I'll probably look for a month before I spend the cash. I know for sure, I will have the mechanic that installed the disc brakes on my 66 Mustang do this job... he is meticulous and he doesn't charge a fortune.

[KingChronic]

the cobra brake will, but there is a chance the brembo cobra R will not.

[daz]

Originally Posted by gsjohnson By the way, the Cobra upgrade will clear your Mach wheels.

Thanks... good to know! But I think I will shop first for stock sizes, then compare against big brake kit. The money I save, could be used for other upgrades I plan like a light bar or speed sensitive stereo.

[Eagle2000GT]

The 13" Cobra front brake upgrade kit works with stock GT rear brakes. Since my front rotors and calipers were shot I upgraded the front brakes and just put high performance rotors and pads on the back.

[mattstang]

i would like some opinions on this.

new front and rear rotors 400
new pads 200

is about 600 to redo my stock stuff right?

and i could get a mach1 upgrade front and rear for 400 more. is it worth it?

[Novanutcase]

Originally Posted by daz Thanks... good to know! But I think I will shop first for stock sizes, then compare against big brake kit. The money I save, could be used for other upgrades I plan like a light bar or speed sensitive stereo.

Your brake fade is probably more a result of either old fluid or air in the line. Nothing a fluid flush couldn't take car of and WAY less than a brake change out! If you are intent on spending money on new rotors save your money and just replace the rotors you have with stock ones. Yes, the ones that have been mentioned are great......if you plan on abusing them in a race environment where they will come into play but for normal street driving stock is more than sufficient. If you want to do it for looks then buy cross drilled and slotted rotors and paint your calipers red but will they stop any better? Nope! Stainless versus rubber lines is also pretty negligible as far as pedal feel. Some say they work better, some say they don't. Why spend the extra cash if all you'll be doing is going to the market and to work?

BTW if you are planning on putting a light bar under your car or speed sensitive stereo then you should go ahead and buy the big brake kit. That will just add to the bling!

John

[mattstang]

if i put better brakes on my car the life of them will increase if my driving stays the same right. ive always just been one to upgrade when something goes out.