Brakes Upgrade

j_manuel7

Registered User
Hi. I want to upgrade my brakes (calipers, discs, brake lines, etc.) on my 1990 T-Bird SC. This is for both, front and rear brakes. What would be my best option for a complete brake upgrade package? I called Wilwood and Baer but they keep telling me to look on the internet for a brake conversion kit since they don't have brake packages available for my car. I went to suppercoupeperformance.com and they have a couple of packages. However, I would like to know what other options I have. I see some of the forum members have Baer brakes in their cars and they look great. Is there any specific p/n to order from Baer?
 
Hi. I want to upgrade my brakes (calipers, discs, brake lines, etc.) on my 1990 T-Bird SC. This is for both, front and rear brakes.

AFAIK, the only way to upgrade calipers on the front is to do the late model spindle swap - search here, example: http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthr...-Error-Check-Additions&highlight=spindle+swap

Rear rotor upgrades need the caliper relocation kit: http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthr...-rotor-upgrade-kit&highlight=caliper+brackets

I used the stainless braided line kit from Victor: http://spinningwheels-sc.com/brakes.aspx

And KVR pads all around, with black anodized drilled/slotted rotors, your choice of supplier.
 
look into the mustang hub swap and then you can put 99 04 cobra brakes on the car.

You don't need to do the mustang hub swap to put 99-04 cobra brakes. The only thing you'll need to do is buy 99-04 cobra rotors and have a local machine shop redrill them for 5x4.25. Even in super expensive bay areaa CA, that's only a $60 job (1/2 labor).

This is assuming that he already has 17" rims in the tbird bolt pattern.. If not, upgrading to the mustang hub swap will allow for cheaper rims BUT he will also need to upgrade the rears
 
I don't know how long its been since you tried to have a machine shop do that but 90% of them wont touch anything to do with a hub or brake. Wheels in 5x4.5 arnt just less expensive they are plentiful in all styles and types. Everything in 4.25 is expensive with little selection. There is a guy up in Oregon named stu spencer that redrills sc hubs to 5x4.5 cheap but its all preference.
 
With Ford's newer models using 5x4.25 wheels are becoming easier to find every year..i got mine off a guys focus..fit perfect and look great..just need better fit tires.
 

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In terms of rear calipers. Is there really a breaking upgrade by replacing the stock with 99-04 cobra calipers? If I am not mistaken the calipers are also single piston and I don't see a big size difference (I think the Tbird have bigger pistons, 45mm vs 38mm)


The upgrade involves relocating the stock rear calipers to fit the larger rear Cobra rotors (not calipers). Yes, it is a worthwhile upgrade.
 
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