Front end and brakes

HOGSTANG · Dec 20, 2017

Guys,
just wanted to pick your brains a little bit and see what is a good brake upgrade for my 94gt and what you would recommend on parts to rebuild the front end. Thanks for the info in advanced.

ttocs · Dec 20, 2017

I recommend a Baer 6 piston caliper with a 14" rotor myself.

evilcw311 · Dec 20, 2017

Need more info on what your build plans are and sizing on wheels.

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PinkieT · Dec 20, 2017

Easiest bolt-on upbrade is good drilled/slotted rotors and high performance pads on your existing brakes. Nest step would be dual piston front calipers from a 99-up New Edge. Past that, Cobra brakes. Front Cobra brakes have dual piston calipers vs single, 13" rotors vs. 11" rotors. Rears are a bit larger than GTs, but take a little more work to fit because you have to take out the axle shafts to put on the new brackets. Get drilled/slotted rotors, good pads, high performance hoses, and you are good to go. Since it is all factory parts or replacements, it is all guaranteed to fit. I just did it to my car, no problems. Next level would Baers or something similar like ttocs said. It all depends on how much money you can spend and how much braking improvement you want.

HOGSTANG · Dec 21, 2017

Thanks guys for the input. I just drive the car 2 or 3 times a week and the brakes feel worse than my lifted 4dr jeep jk with 37” tires. The car has 140k on it and I feel that it should stop better than what it does. To me the brakes just feel soft, if that makes sense. The 99 up would be fine with me. I get the parts from my local u pull it cheap, so what would I need to grab off the donor car. Thanks

Burninriverdiver · Dec 21, 2017

If you're looking at having good functional brakes and saving some cash I'd recommend changing out the old fluid and bleeding them very well first. I replaced my brakes with oem style parts when I bought mine and it definitely stops better than a vehicle on 37" tires! Everyone has different views but from my perspective the factory brakes work well enough that I feel safe for daily driving, if they were soft I'd definitely be looking to fix or upgrade. Good luck!

ttocs · Dec 21, 2017

if its just sloppy feeling then like he said start simple or you might end up simple.

PinkieT · Dec 21, 2017

Yep. Start simple. Check the pads and rotors, resurface/replace if needed. Bleed the brakes. That is the first, and cheapest, step. If you still don't think you have enough braking, then look to upgrade. A set of PowerStop drilled/slotted rotors with high performance pads that are a straight replacement could be done in an afternoon easy. Me, I haunt Craigslist and got used Cobra parts on the cheap, had the calipers rebuilt locally and painted them myself.

HOGSTANG · Dec 21, 2017

Thanks guys for the replies. I think I will go the 99 up new edge with some good pads and drilled and slotted rotors. Will a V6 new edge work or does it have to be a gt? Also what all parts do I need to grab besides the front calipers off the donor car to make it work on my 94? And last but not least, the car came with sport line lowering springs on it and I just want to rebuild the front end, so other than the camber plates, what other tricks if any do you guys have to make it right up front again. Thanks and you guys are awesome

evilcw311 · Dec 21, 2017

Check your ball joints. Sport lines are a decently large drop so you may need a bumpsteer kit to fully straighten it all back out.

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ttocs · Dec 21, 2017

unless your going to be out on a track the stock brakes are more fine when working correctly.

PinkieT · Dec 22, 2017

I did my Cobra brake swap mostly because I got a setup with drilled/slotted rotors front and rear, front calipers with "Cobra" cast in them, and a complete Cobra rear axle with 3.73 gears, all used but in great shape, locally for a great price. If I had not found that, I probably would have left mt 98 GT brakes alone.

lwarrior1016 · Dec 22, 2017

I like the cobra brake swap, and if youre already in the market for new brakes, the calipers can be had from a parts house pretty cheap.

For rebuilding the front end, caster/camber plates (Maximum Motorsports have one of, if not the best set), ball joints, and I would replace all the bushings up front. The front control arm bushings, when replaced with poly, will make a huge difference in handling and the ride.

g36 monkey · Dec 22, 2017

As noted - front bushings - tie rod ends (maybe even tie rods) - and ball joints if you really want to tighten up the front. I would grab calipers from the donor car. I would put new pads and rotors on as well as new lines, then a good system bleed. Should feel like new.

You can get brakes off a V6, V6 and GT brakes are identical, only Cobras got the upgrade, and Cobra brakes vary throughout their life-span (though - for all intents and purposes they are all just 13" dual piston jobs)

96blak54 · Dec 22, 2017

PinkieT said:
I did my Cobra brake swap mostly because I got a setup with drilled/slotted rotors front and rear, front calipers with "Cobra" cast in them, and a complete Cobra rear axle with 3.73 gears, all used but in great shape, locally for a great price. If I had not found that, I probably would have left mt 98 GT brakes alone.

Didnt you post a short write up or was it in your build thread? I do remember you doing this tho.