Cobra Disc Brake conversion

[Mesozoic]

Mesozoic,

I agree with you on the retro kit for the 71-73 disc brake spindles. Take a look at this SSBC caliper setup for the disc brake spindle. $436.37 with free shipping.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ssb-a213/overview/year/1973/make/ford/model/mustang

mustang7173

Wow, I'm gonna have to investigate that a bit further. Forgot all about SSBC! While I certainly wouldn't mind having race spec safety wired rotors on my car, the fact is that I don't race my car... and don't intend to. It's more of a canyon carver/highway cruiser/local cruise spot car. Good find.

EDIT: I checked it out on their website and it appears that it's a caliper only upgrade, so it retains the stock 11" rotor. I'd love to see a caliper and 13" rotor upgrade kit for our cars without having to go to a drum spindle.

 

[BenD]

Street or Track sells a kit that lets you keep the disc spindle and go to the 13" Cobra brakes

 

[mustang7173]

All,

I have processed the 1970 spindles and hubs by sandblasting them and spraying them with Eastwood’s Brake Gray - Brake Fluid Resistant Paint to provide rust, corrosion and brake fluid protection. It is some tough stuff here.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-brake-gray-aerosol-13-oz.html

Picture of Sand Blasted Drum Spindles

So, I cancelled my Cardone A-1 2004 Cobra Caliper order due to next month estimated delivery. I found a pair on the Autoplicity’s website and ordered them.

https://autoplicity.com/

Cardone A-1 18B4888 and 18B4889 These part numbers include the mounting brackets. Some re-manufactured calipers are just the calipers themselves.

I called a friend of mine who works at a Ford Dealer to get the 2004 Cobra Caliper part numbers.

RH: 3R3Z-2B120-AB

LH: 3R3Z-2B121-BA

Got these for the S.S. Brake lines mount to frame. I have a set of Drum brake hose brackets. I will need to determine the best fit.

BRAKE HOSE BRACKETS FROM FORD WITH ANTI ROTATION HOLE AND FOR FRONT OR REAR

http://discbrakesrus.com/make/ford/brakelines.htm

Source: discbrakesrus

Here are some Cobra front and rear caliper information.

'93 Cobra R: 13x1.1" vented rotors, PBR dual piston 38mm unit from Corvette (interchangeable with Cobra and Bullitt calipers). 10.5" rear vented disc.

'94-95 V6 & GT: 10.8x1.0" front rotors, 66mm single piston calipers. Rear single piston 38mm Varga caliper, 10" solid rotor

'94-98 Cobra, '95 Cobra R: 13.0x1.1" front rotors, 38x38mm dual piston PBR calipers. Rear single piston 38mm Varga Caliper, 11.65" vented rotor

'99+ V6 & GT: 10.8x1.0" front rotors, 45x45mm dual piston PBR calipers. Rear single piston Varga caliper, 10" solid rotor

'99-04 Cobra: 13.0x1.1" Brembo rotors, spec'd 40x40 mm dual piston PBR calipers. Rear single piston 38mm Varga Caliper, 11.65" vented rotor

'00 Bullitt Mustang/Mach1 : Same brakes as 94-98 Cobras (unique red PBR calipers with running horse up front, same varga caliper in rear painted red.) Rear single piston 38mm Varga Caliper, 11.65" vented rotor

'00 Cobra R: 13.0x1.1" Brembo rotors, Brembo 4 piston calipers. 36/40mm pistons. Rear disc the same as the stock '99+ Cobras

As you can see, the 99 to 04 Cobra's had the 40mm pistons.

To make room for the 17 inch Bullet wheels, I have adopted the Eibach wheel spacers for the front and rear wheels.

Eibach Pro Spacer Kits 904250103

Source:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/eib-904250103?seid=srese1&gclid=CJu114Tk7L4CFcyhOgod43YArg

I am not real crazy about these spacers, even though, they get good reviews. So, I found another alternative.

http://www.mustangwheelspacers.com/

http://www.mustangwheelspacers.com/theworks1.aspx

Source: Mustang Wheel Spacers

This kit will require the longer studs. The good aspect of this kit is the spacers slides onto the wheel studs and will not come off until you remove the lug nuts.

Well, that is all for now.

mustang7173

 

[Mesozoic]

Street or Track sells a kit that lets you keep the disc spindle and go to the 13" Cobra brakes

I don't see this kit on their website... can you post a link, please?

I've ordered a complete set of rear Cobra brakes for my car from Vintage Venom. The cost from them comes in quite a bit lower than the other options and their kit includes rotors, lines, calipers, mounts, etc. at $550. According to Vintage Venom, the brake kit does not alter the wheel offset spacing, which is good for me.

I might just keep the OEM disc brakes up front since they work very well for the driving I'm doing... I wouldn't mind having a bit more bite up front and may upgrade later, but for now at least the rears have some additional capability.

Does anyone know what best to do about proportioning bias when adding rear disc brakes? I have the stock style M/C right now...

 

[mustang7173]

Mesozoic,

Look at the kit for the 94 - 04 Mustang kit. The 94 - 04 Mustang has the same wheel bolt pattern as our 197-1973 mustangs.

http://www.mustangwheelspacers.com/theworks1.aspx

Comparison chart for wheel bolt patterns-

http://www.boltpatternguide.com/Ford_Bolt_Patterns.htm

Thank You,

mustang7173


All,

Got an email from discbrakesrus.com stating the brake hose bracket is no long available from Ford.

BRAKE HOSE BRACKETS FROM FORD WITH ANTI ROTATION HOLE AND FOR FRONT OR REAR

http://discbrakesrus.com/make/ford/brakelines.htm

Source: discbrakesrus

Dag Nab it!

mustang7173

 

[BenD]

I don't see this kit on their website... can you post a link, please?

http://www.streetortrack.com/Street-or-Track-13x1.25-Rotor-4-Piston-Forged-Aluminum-Caliper-Brake-System-pr-24556.html

here's the bracket, but its not with the PBR caliper, but i know for sure that they make them, or used to..

i would contact them,..

Shaun will definantly get back with you.

their great guys to deal with..

 

[mustang7173]

Hello BenD,

Thank you for the update to the thread. They are a nice addition to upgrading the disc brake spindle. I took another look after you mentioned them in the early part of the thread. Wow, they are nice. Just a bit much for my pocket book though. Hopefully, it will provide others who read through this thread, an alternative and or an option to explore this upgrade.

Thank You,

mustang7173

 

[droptop73]

Have you looked at Rock Auto??

 

[Mesozoic]

Have you looked at Rock Auto??

You talkin to me? Of course, I have an account with Rock Auto. That's pretty much how I did my '89 5.0 13" brake upgrade.

 

[droptop73]

YEAH... I'm talkin to you!! They have pretty good prices on the calipers both with and without the Cobra logo (even with paying the core).

 

[Mesozoic]

YEAH... I'm talkin to you!! They have pretty good prices on the calipers both with and without the Cobra logo (even with paying the core).

LOL, yes, they do have very good prices. They also have very good customer service. I'm still not sure who makes brackets to mount 13" late model Cobra front brakes to an OE disc spindle, though!

 

[mustang7173]

All,

Yes, I did look at Rock Auto. They are currently not listing the 03-04 Cobra PBR calipers. They seemed to be backed ordered due to not enough cores.

Mesozoic, So far, the only reasonably priced option for the disc brake spindle is the SSBC option located at www.summitracing.com.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ssb-a213

It has been mentioned that Street and Track has a real nice setup for about $1850.00. It is nice and very rich!

mustang7173

 

[mustang7173]

All,

Alright, the Cardone A-1 2004 Cobra PBR Front calipers have been shipped.

I have ordered the Maximum Motorsports Stainless Brake Hose Kit, 1994-04 Mustang, front calipers

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/MM-Stainless-Brake-Hose-Kit-1994-04-Mustang-front-P686.aspx

Source: Maximum Motorsports

To remove the current disc brake spindle, without damaging my ball joint studs or boots, I got the New Howe Ball Joint Spreader Tool, 4-1/8" Compressed Height tool from Speedway Motors.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Howe-Racing-Enterprises-2154-Ball-Joint-Spreader-Tool,47367.html

Source: Speedway Motors

I was also able to locate two NOS Brake hose brackets , part number XR3Z2A056AA from www.whiteracingproducts.com

The only other item to purchase is the slip on 25 mm wheel spacers. I can either get the ones from,

www.mustangwheelspacers.com

Source: Mustang Wheel Spacers:

Source: Vintage Venom www.vintagevenom.com

http://www.vintagevenom.com/mustang-full-disc-brake-conversion-kit.htm

I am leaning towards the Mustang Wheel Spacers due to the tools included and it is designed to remove the studs without removing the axles or hubs.

mustang7173

 

[mustang7173]

Update,

Dang nab-it, the www.Autoplicity.com crowd flubbed up my order.

Cardone 18B4888 - Passenger side front- SVT COBRA - A1 Cardone Re manufacture - Order canceled -PayPal Refund -No email notification

Cardone 18B4889 - Drivers side front- SVT COBRA - A1 Cardone Re manufacture - Received Saturday -

WRONG Part and WRONG Re-manufacture Company- GM Brake Caliper- Not even Cardone!

There website states that the 18B4889, Qty: 1 is available. Go figure.

Enough of trying to get Re-manufactured parts. Too much of pain in the butt. Looks like www.discbrakesrus.com is the way I will leaning towards to get the calipers.

source: Discbrakesrus

For $399.99, I can get a brand new set of PBR Cobra front Calipers and brackets for what a lot used stuff goes for.

Keep you posted.

mustang7173

 

[mustang7173]

Update,

The pronto name is a Cardone product. My mistake folks. Anyway, look like Autoplicity is making good on their mistakes by sending a return ship label and getting me the right part. Un fortunately, the 18B4888 is out of stock.

mustang7173

 

[mustang7173]

Ok peps,

Finally got the right caliper Cardone 18B4889 and sent the wrong part back. The word I am hearing is that folks are not turning in cores to be rebuilt. So, there is shortage. This might drive up the core prices to some where around $100.00. Ouch! So, I am going to stash this one back for a cold rainy day.

mustang7173

 

[mustang7173]

All,

Retro Disc Brake install update – The BRAKE HOSE BRACKETS FROM FORD WITH ANTI ROTATION HOLE AND FOR FRONT OR REAR are no longer available from Ford. Found a used set on Ebay! The New Howe Ball Joint Spreader Tool works like a champ! The wheel spacers from Vintage Venom work not work. I contacted them about the vintage wheel spacers and they said they were out and did not know if they would have any soon. By the way, I ordered the SN-95 spacers and did not realize that they had two listings, one for the SN-95 and vintage auto. I gave them to my body man.

The 65-73 Mustang Shelby Maverick Coil Spring Compressor by Tommyzees, Ebay, works really well with the spindle/hub update. The A1 Cardone calipers and being stashed back for later use. I did install the new Discbrakesrus Red PBR brake calipers. These are brand new calipers by PBR. As you can see, I have installed the 1971 Mustang drum spindles. Next I installed the Mustang Steve’s Front Disc Brake Retrofit kit. Man, extra heavy duty steel. I used the Eastwood’s Disc Brake Grey to keep them rusting. The wheel studs are the ARP 100-7703’s. They pressed in the drum hubs nicely. The wheel spacers are the Eibach bolt-on 1" hubcentric wheels spacers with the studs pressed out. The reason behind this, I did not feel comfortable with the original design. I want the one stud attached directly to the hub. I was disappointed that vintage wheel spacers from Vintage Venom were not available. Updates to follow!

Mustang Steve's Disc Retro Brackets

Mustang7173

 

[detritusmaximus]

I've been curious about this swap for some time, but I'm not crazy about the 17" wheels and spacers. Any chance of a side shot of the rotor/hub/spacer/caliper? How far does the caliper stick out compared to the stock hub/disc face, you know without the spacer?

 

[mustang7173]

detritusmaximus,

I understand. I believe the reason for the 17 inch rims is due to the upward height of the calipers and the 13 inch rotors. When I get back to the shop on Saturday, I will take a front directional picture of the rotor and caliper setup.

Thanks,

mustang7173

 

[detritusmaximus]

That would be great! I know the disc and caliper require larger diameter wheels, but I'm not too fond of the 17" and up late model Mustang wheels. What I'm looking for is a bit more depth to the face side of the wheel. This will require far less offset or backspace. My concern is clearance between the wheel backside (spoke area) and the caliper.