Cobra Brake Upgrade ....

[MadStang]

I've got Roush PBR's (same as Cobra PBR's). I will say this, unless you have the high performance rotor/pad combination you will not be taking full advantage of the new calipers. If you just run POS autozone rotors and pads you're going to be severely disappointed.

What I did, was go for the new technology rotors. Raybestos R-300's with the Porterfield R4-S pads. Both top notch, both provide the braking power I need for road racing / auto-x. As for your situation, either way is an upgrade. But if you do track time, make sure you get the rotor to match the quality of those pads....

 

[Justang]

I can't believe you posted this picture. I was with Dugger Racing abouttttt seven years ago? Ah, memories.

 

[JLG21611]

So, can I just head to my local parts store, tell em I have an '03 Cobra and order the front calipers with pads and rotors and just turn in my regular GT stuff as cores? And this will all just swap right out?
( I'm new to the SN95 scene, owned a '93 Fox for years )

 

[Mustanger]

My car is in the shop right now getting things done...one of which was to add the Bullitt front Brakes & Cobra rear...both with Baer Decelarotors..

 

[ttocs]

So, can I just head to my local parts store, tell em I have an '03 Cobra and order the front calipers with pads and rotors and just turn in my regular GT stuff as cores? And this will all just swap right out?
( I'm new to the SN95 scene, owned a '93 Fox for years )

others have done this....

 

[g36 monkey]

That's exactly what I did. However, the kit on late model restoration is a good deal. It's like 500 for new calipers, rotors, pads, and stainless lines. If I had to do it again, that's what I would do.

 

[HuskerGT]

Stopping difference was like night & day.
I did the swap a few months ago. I was able to get a set of used calipers, rotors & lines from a '95 Cobra. The thing I did, and would recommend, is to rebuild the calipers by installing new seals in the piston bores, the seals were like $4 per side. I also painted the edges & hat of the rotors since they looked a little dirty & had a little surface rust on the hat. Clean & paint with colors of your choice.

I also have a brand new rear Cobra brake upgrade kit I bought from AM sitting in my basement waiting to go when the weather warms up.

 

[ttocs]

I don't think you understood what he meant g36. Autozone and alot of the others will give you a core exchange on you GT brakes after buying the rebuilt cobra brakes from them. Costs alot less then what you did when you do it this way.

Exactly what do we need to replace to do this? Lines, connectors, ect?

 

[Slykin]

You need the rotors, brackets, calipers, the brake line from the fender to the caliper along with the banjo bolts, and the cobra MC(optional) if you want to do it right. Might want to grab some new copper crush washers too while you're at it, I had to get my crush washers from the stealership. I just finished swapping mine yesterday and it's pretty easy. After the swap though, I can't tell a huge difference between the Cobra's and GT's. I think that's a combination of lousy pads on the cobra brakes, and no cobra MC. Still recommend the swap though.

 

[HuskerGT]

For me, I reused the banjo bolts and brake lines that came with my calipers, but cleaned them up, inspecting the banjo bolt threads first. Definitely replace the copper crush washers.
I was also able to use the stock hard line that Slykin referred to without any problems.
I also used one of those siphon-type hand pumps to pull the brake fluid through the calipers after they were installed. Easy one-man operation and worked like a charm.

 

[Slykin]

I need one of those fancy bleeders... where can you get those?

Edit: I had a donor car to take everything off of, so i'm not sure if the banjo bolts are the same or not. I do know the brake lines are slightly different, not sure it matters though.

 

[Mustanger]

I was able to use the GT stainless steel lines I already had over we had to adjust the bracket to give just a tad more slack to the front lines the rears were fine. There is supposed to be a difference in the Banjo bolt threads one is Coarse & the other is Fine threads.

Get some speed bleeders from Summit or Jegs & you can bleed the brakes by yourself. Not expensive either.

 

[HuskerGT]

I need one of those fancy bleeders... where can you get those?

I borrowed it from a buddy of mine. He got it at Harbor Freight. Before everyone jumps on HF, I know their rep isn't stellar but for as often as we needed to use it (twice), it works great. If you're needing this to use for a living then it may pose a problem after many, many uses. Now that I have the Cobra calipers on, I don't plan on replacing them.

Like Mustanger said regarding the banjo bolts, there is a difference. I simply reused the soft lines & BBs that came with my setup.

 

[twovalveterror]

good tech here. is there a difference in master cylinders between gt and cobra?

 

[mygreengt]

ive noticed a pretty big difference between the GT brakes and the brakes on the mach.


just thought i would put that out there.

 

[MadStang]

good tech here. is there a difference in master cylinders between gt and cobra?

no. it's a hydro boost system for the 4.6's. someone else may have to fill you in on the dinosaur motor (5.0)

 

[rz5.0]

no. it's a hydro boost system for the 4.6's. someone else may have to fill you in on the dinosaur motor (5.0)

on the 5.0 the master cylinder is diffrent on gt and cobra diffrent bore its suggested that you switch over to th cobra mc when doing the swap.

 

[Mustanger]

Yep I changed to the Cobra MC too...it has a different diameter piston to give more pressure to the power brakes per oz. of pedal pressure. I was told it is possible to leave the GT MC on but it would be excessively hard to stop. I also heard conflicting stories on that ...?? I took no chances

DINOSAUR!!! DINOSAUR???? Have a little respect there Whippersnapper!! LOL...not nice to make fun of the elderly!

 

[g36 monkey]

I don't think you understood what he meant g36. Autozone and alot of the others will give you a core exchange on you GT brakes after buying the rebuilt cobra brakes from them. Costs alot less then what you did when you do it this way.

Exactly what do we need to replace to do this? Lines, connectors, ect?

I got my whole setup from advance auto because I get 20% off there because they love me But if I were to do it again I would get the kit from late model because it comes with the stainless lines, which are $150 anyways. I returned the stock v6 for the same core amount as the cobras.

I didn't swap the master cylinder, but no the brakes don't feel hard to push or anything like that. They feel much more sure than the stock ones did, if that makes sense. I don't ever need to utilize them to their full potential.

I believe I bought new banjo bolts and a ton of those washers. I reccomend speed bleeders, I did them the old fashioned way and the brake fluid took all the paint off my calipers haha.

 

[Slykin]

On the 5.0's the MC seems to make a fairly big difference.. the pedal is definitely harder with the Cobra brakes/GT MC, but it doesn't seem to "bite" if you get what i'm saying. But... if you're running a 4.6 don't listen to me lol.