[bsklein]

Hi all,
I'm still trying to get a handle on costs before placing my order. I've read a lot about the various brake options. Right now I'm leaning toward a no-donor build, solid rear with 3-link.

The Ford racing (M-2300-K) Cobra R brake system includes I guess all of the parts I would need for the brakes, hubs, spindles, master cylinder, 5-lug conversion etc. If I went with Wilwood or Baer I'd have to buy all of these separately I guess?

The Ford racing kit master cylinder is power assist. Can (or should) the booster be removed in the same way as in the FFR instrutions for the standard donor Mustang master cylinder modification? I guess there are clearance issues if the booster is used. How well do the brakes perform without the booster?

Or should I save my money and just use donor brake parts? I don't want to spend a lot of time repairing, cleaning, and rebuilding older parts if possible.

Thanks much,
Barry

 

[lvanlanen]

The brake booster that comes with that kit is too big to fit in the ffr. It will interfere with more then just the frame. If you use a fox body brake booster the only mods you have to do is change the frame slightly which isn't a big deal and add 2 holes for the booster and elongate a hole for the booster. Its not a hard thing to put power brakes in and I highly recommend it.

 

[Gatorac]

Here's an idea for a bugett.

Get a 94 or later rear. It's already 5 lug and disc. If you find one from a later model, they have the 3.27 ratio (I'm not sure when they started putting those in) wich is pretty good in the cobra.

Use 94 or 95 front spindles. Already 5 lug, better front end geometry and you can get the Cobra R front brakes for cheap. All you need is the rotor, caliper and bracket.

You can't really use the booster with the 2300 kit anyways.

 

[John Phillips]

I'm researching these same parts right now. I second what Jim Pomroy suggested, and the SN95 rear is the most economical and no-sweat way to get rear discs. Then, consider this: Get the SN95 spindles, the '84 Jeep M/C recommended by Richard Oben and others for $25-30, and a Cobra brake upgrade kit from this place: Cobra Disc brake kits
Details re Brake Kits

The front set is about $500, for brackets, "Cobra" calipers by PBR, rotors, and s.steel lines. That's almost as cheap as when I built my first FFR and put together this setup using rebuilt PepBoys PBR calipers and new Ford rotors, brackets and rubber hoses 3 years ago. This looks good to me, I'll probably order the fronts when I finish this post! Good luck with your decisions.

 

[Gary Evans]

I used the donor booster, sn95 MC and turbocoupe rear that came with 3.73s and discs.

Use a donor style booster super easy mod and very effective braking and its cheap.

 

[bsklein]

Great info, thanks all. The cross drilled rotors sure look sweet on the above website. Sounds like a better overall deal than the FMS set. If you go with 17" 5 spoke wheels, you really see the brakes and it helps if they look nice and work well too.

Regarding the Sn 95 rear axle, is it the same width as the usual donor axle? How will this affect wheel backspacing? What wheels are you guys using with the big brake setups (backspacing, etc., front and rear)?

Also, where can I find more info on installing the standard power brake master cylinder in the FFR?

Thanks again,

 

[Gary Evans]

forrest did a great writeup here

http://www.norcal-cobras.com/projects/brakebooster/PowerBrake1.htm

I did my frame mod like Dan did, I think its easier than the dogleg type.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/cobratime/chassisandmodifications.htm

sn95 and turbocoupe axles are 3/4 wider per side.

 

[bsklein]

Sorry Guys, a couple of more questions. If I go with 4 wheel disc brakes, say 13" front, 11" rear, and stay with a non-power assist master cylinder like the Jeep ( I'd rather not have to cut and weld the frame), how will the brakes perform? Will pedal effort be acceptable? Or do you really need the booster for the 4 wheel discs? Also, if I use SN 95 front spindles and SN 95 solid rear axle, which wheels do you recommend? Will the backspacing on the Cobra R be OK or will it rub?

Regards,