Brakes!

[chomama1]

My FFR Cobra has, I think, 1998 Mustang disc brakes on all four corners w/17" wheels. The calipers are rusty and one leaks a little and I wanted to get the red powder coated Wilwoods (my 11" rotors are fine). I have SN95 (?) rear.

I called Autofab Race Cars in Elkridge, MD and they told me that basically Wilwood does not make calipers that would fit my rotors. Also some issue of fitting on my spindles, which I do not understand. I don't want to go for a whole new brake system, just the calipers. They are researching to see if they can get some power coated PBR calipers. Anyone use PBR? I don't need monster brakes, just two piston or maybe four piston, max.

[vatdevil]

PBRs were factory supplied on some models. Dual piston and will fit your rotors. You may need to modify the spindles a little for proper fit. Calipers can be had at junk yards.

[RICK LAKE]

chromama1 2 thoughts about fixing problem,
1 why not rebuild your calipers, simple to do takes about 10 minutes a side. All you need is a seal kits for the fronts and a small motor hone to clean out the bores of any rust. A large bottle of brake fluid also. If the caliper lines are not stainless. you can pinch them off so not to have a complete bleeding party and just redo the calipers. If you want the calipers a different color, paint them with hi temp spray paint and bake them at 200F until hardening of the paint. A cheap little oven works great, DON'T use kitchen oven because of possible poison or fumes caused. A both $40.00 to do both calipers and paint.
Check out an Pepboys, Autozone, or ORRielys for rebuilt calipers. will need to match them up to what is on the car.
If money is not an issue and you are going to stay with 17" wheels, the brake options are there too. Unless you are high speed racing, 11"-12" rotors will work fine. If hgeat is and problem, install front ducts to the front rotors. Get orange hi temp hose to help direction cooler air through rotors.
Good luck with brakes. Rick L. Ps most aftermarket companies have kits to use their calipers on your spindles. This will be some cutting, grinding and tapping holes for bigger calipers and running bigger rotors. If you stay with 12" rotors 15" wheel will still work on them if the caliper is a flat top. I run 12" rotors on 15" wheels and have about 3/4" of clearance. My front ducts are hooked up to front brakes to help cool. Even after 15 years of racing, and a couple of fluid changes, the 12" will still put you through the windshield if you are not strapped in the car. IMO 2 piston calipers are more than enough for street driving and a little track time.

[mdross1]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

chromama1 2 thoughts about fixing problem,
1 why not rebuild your calipers, simple to do takes about 10 minutes a side. All you need is a seal kits for the fronts and a small motor hone to clean out the bores of any rust. A large bottle of brake fluid also. If the caliper lines are not stainless. you can pinch them off so not to have a complete bleeding party and just redo the calipers. If you want the calipers a different color, paint them with hi temp spray paint and bake them at 200F until hardening of the paint. A cheap little oven works great, DON'T use kitchen oven because of possible poison or fumes caused. A both $40.00 to do both calipers and paint.
Check out an Pepboys, Autozone, or ORRielys for rebuilt calipers. will need to match them up to what is on the car.
If money is not an issue and you are going to stay with 17" wheels, the brake options are there too. Unless you are high speed racing, 11"-12" rotors will work fine. If hgeat is and problem, install front ducts to the front rotors. Get orange hi temp hose to help direction cooler air through rotors.
Good luck with brakes. Rick L. Ps most aftermarket companies have kits to use their calipers on your spindles. This will be some cutting, grinding and tapping holes for bigger calipers and running bigger rotors. If you stay with 12" rotors 15" wheel will still work on them if the caliper is a flat top. I run 12" rotors on 15" wheels and have about 3/4" of clearance. My front ducts are hooked up to front brakes to help cool. Even after 15 years of racing, and a couple of fluid changes, the 12" will still put you through the windshield if you are not strapped in the car. IMO 2 piston calipers are more than enough for street driving and a little track time.

Was thinking the same thing if you are not into hard core racing why not redo your own brakes and save a lot of money.You can upgrade pad material to tailer your stopping power.Either way good luck

[joyridin']

Factory PBR calipers from a Mustang Cobra would fit relatively easy, but you have to watch for the offset. They stick out quite a bit further than the calipers you have. If I had to guess, maybe 3/4" ? They may hit your wheels, then you are going to have to buy another set of front wheels to clear them.

This is what you need. It is a direct bolt-on. There are a few different variations on the calipers. The ones I had were red powder coated with COBRA stamped on the calipers.

For Sale: 13'' Cobra rotors with SN-95 spindles - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

[chomama1]

All replies very interesting. I had not even considered rebuilding the calipers or that that was even possible. I should explain that, although I did a lot in my life, mechanic was not one of them and I am not capable of doing brake work. I am now thinking about having the calipers removed, sand blasted, red powder coated and rebuilt. Is that something that Meineke, for instance, could be relied upon to do? Or should I seek out more of a custom shop?

This car is not raced. I just want to be able to stop reliably and I want to get a different look from the rusted calipers. Thanks to all.