Genada vs Mustang II Brakes

[CobraEd]

I have a Classic Roadsters with Mustang II disks in the front. I assume these are 9 1/2". How hard is it to switch to the Grenada 11" brakes? Does everything bolt right up? Are these for 4 lug also or do I need a new hub? How much will this cost me, and does ford parts still have this stuff (rotors, calipers, hubs, etc) in stock. And, will I notive better braking on the street, or only in racing?

Ed

[dscott]

Ed, The 11" brakes use the Granada rotor that is a 5 lug 4.5" pattern. The hub is part of the rotor. The caliper is a mid size GM from a Camaro. There is also a bracket to mount the calipers to the spindle. You can buy the whole package in kit form for around $275. The calipers use a different brake line so you also need 2 of those. The granada setup is 11" so you will have better braking vs. the 9". The difference will be in the fading. The 9" will heat up faster than the 11" so it will be noticable in hard braking. The setup is off the shelf parts except for the brackets which can be purchased separate for about $80.
Don

[jdean]

I got the set from Speedway Motors. The whole kit (less brake lines) is $240.

Check it out:


http://www.speedwaymotors.com

do a part number search on 910-31944

Hope this helps.

John

[Jack21]

Ed, take mine for a spin around the block, and see for yourself. The 11" Grenadas is standard mid-size Ford or GM 3,500 - 3,800 pound car. Calipers are single piston '78-'83 mid size GM. Some kits use similar Ford calipers. GM's are a snap to replace pads. These kits, and seems like everybody has them for around $275 - $325.

For 15" wheels, the Stainless Steel Brakes 4 piston caliper and Grenada rotor are pretty stout. Add rear disks from Mustang rear disk conversion kit, and it'll stop very quickly.

My question to you other brake gurus, Don, maybe you know.

What is the best way to fit late Mustang Cobra or Cobra R 13" rotor and caliper on MII spindle? No Wildwood. If I have to use aftermarket, will use Baer.

[dscott]

Jack, I've never tried that combo, maybe DV has some insight, he has some healthy brakes on the DVII.
Don

[Double Venom]

Jack,

Baer or Wildwood both have kits for the MII spindles that allow 13" brakes. You better have one helluva set of 5-points in your car!

I like either one, as both are fabulous setups. Both will come complete right down to the brake line.

I've used both numerous times, but it seems BAER sometimes have a horrendous back order problem.

DV Models use Baer all the way around.
DV II Models use a combination of Wildwood (rears) with Baer's for the front.

DV

[Jack21]

Here's why I ask. The FFR crowd that use 17" wheels are using late Mustang Cobra, and Cobra R 13" stock Ford brakes. Caliper has big COBRA lettered on it. Not all FFR's have power brakes like CR's do, and that may be why they need the extra stopping power.

How does one use late Mustang brakes on an MII spindle? Or a late Mustang spindle with MII control arms?

[Jack21]

CobraEd,

To answer your question, the swap is pretty much a cakewalk (one of the few, "take it out of the box and bolt it on" installs' on a CR)and an afternoon's work. The parts are pretty common, and readily available. Depending on where you get the '75 - '80 Grenada rotors, they will come with 5 lug Ford studs installed, or drilled for both Ford and Chevy 5 lug studs. Any machine shop can drill them for 4 lugs if needed. The Chevy holes are because this is a popular street rod setup and Chevy wheels are used also.

The only wrinkle is the brake line. Before I converted to the SSB 4 piston setup, I used a 16" brake line from a '83 Buick Riveria front wheel drive. Cut/pry off the steel bracket on the line, and install a 4" - 5" length of slit heater hose with zip ties to keep the line from chafing on the upper ball joint.

If you decide to go for the SSB 4 piston setup, order the brake lines with the kit as they're not included. SSB also uses Grenada rotor, but calipers are newly minted Kelsey-Hayes as used on '66 - '67 Mustang GT's.