V6 brakes to cobra brakes upgrade questions

9838stang · Dec 25, 2012

I am looking at doing brake upgrade on my 98 v6. I am looking at doing a cobra brake swap on my car. I found a 03 cobra brake set up for my car. I am 90% sure i want to dive into this but i am have a few questions that i cant find anywhere. My first question was would the cobra brakes fit my stock gt 17" wheels, i found they will work. Second question is that the brakes come with the lines and banjo bolts from the 03 cobra, now will those lines work with my stock brake lines on the car? Also I will be doing the stainless steel line upgrade in the future, but as for right now will they 03 cobra brake line from the caliper fit into the lines on my car. Next question will i have issues with my master cylinder. I do not have ABS on my car either. And will i need to get rid of my dust shield as well?

Cpotts13 · Dec 26, 2012

Answers:
-the dust shield can stay, you MAY have to bend it back ever so slightly.
- usually when you buy the used brakes they come with the original lines from the cobra, so they will screw right on to the hard lines on your car. The kit should come with everything you need for the swap, including the banjo bolts and brake lines already installed.
-I am almost positive that the master cylinder will work fine but if someone else can chime in...

Let me just tell you from experience, this was one of the most immediately noticeable upgrades i have made for my car and was well worth it.
without looking around to much this seems to be the best deal on ebay at the moment and comes with everything you need.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-2004-M...Parts_Accessories&hash=item27cd7deada&vxp=mtr

RichV · Dec 26, 2012

Are you doing all 4? Or just fronts?

As stated, it's a pretty easy swap. Everything just bolts up. Not 100% about the OEM 98 hard lines to OEM 03 soft lines, I have steel braided lines all around. The braided steel soft lines are a huge improvement. I have a stock 94 MC and it works, but the feel is too soft IMO. I will be upgrading to a Cobra MC with the smaller bore. Your wheels should be just fine, mine are under 17x9 Cobra wheels.

I had 99-04 PBR 11" GT brakes on my 94. I can't say that there was a huge improvement, because there wasn't. The brake modulation feels a little different, and they don't fade where the 11" would start at certain tracks. But that's something you won't feel on the street.

9838stang · Dec 26, 2012

I am just doing fronts. From what I hear is that you have to pull the axles to get the correct brackets on the axle housing

RichV · Dec 26, 2012

On the rears, yes.

John Nich · Dec 26, 2012

I did not need to touch my dust shields at all.. Though I bought the LMR kit, They actually Came with SS lines that were "1994-04" and the only difference is the Banjo bolts! There is a coarse thread and a find pitch thread. I actually have spares of both if you need. Thought I'm not 100% sure about Stock cobra/gt hoses beiing the same. I would suggest you do the SS lines in one shot. Otherwise you have to go back and bleed everything all over again. This upgrade made my car fun to drive again. hah.

188slo50 · Dec 26, 2012

Stock Cobra wheels are 17" so your fine. Heres a good set for you can check out ebay for different colors cause there all within $20 of each other. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-2004-M...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2578ed96b3&vxp=mtr

If your not worried about the "cobra" script than you can get them from autoparts store for about $80 with brackets per side. Spend another $100 on rotors and $50 on SS lines and youll have all new parts to work with.

RichV · Dec 26, 2012

My rotors wer $80 each at NAPA and the braided lines were $100, IIRC they were Earls 3 piece set.

Cpotts13 · Dec 28, 2012

id say hold off for a better deal. I got my cobra calipers, with braided lines and bear eradispeed 2+ rotors for $400...

ScottyDsntKnow · Dec 29, 2012

Observations:

1 - The rubber lines on earlier SN95s are known to overheat and rupture under hard braking, I would look at upgrading to the steel lines sooner than later

2 - That guy in the ebay add is nucking futs for wanting $350 for two calipers and two junk rotors plus $45 shipping. You can get the calipers alone for $250 shipped all day on multiple classifieds.

3 - Send the calipers out to these guys to have them coated, they'll look like a million dollars.

4 - I would recommend staying away from Napa/Autozone/Advance etc... brand rotors (like Duralasts aka Duracrap). I've had a TON of runout problems with those guys. The last time I did my brakes on my old 95 Cobra I used Centrics from Rockauto and they were perfect.

5 -If you want to save more money and get literally the exact same results go find a set of Bullitt calipers. Same 13" dual pistons just no COBRA lettering and they go for $50-$75 less from what I've seen.

6 - As long as you have the hoses for them they should bolt right up. Hell, they might bolt right up to the V6 hoses, I'm not sure, never owned a V6. Master cyl should be fine. I will say you will notice a DRASTIC and IMMEDIATE difference in braking. I noticed how badly my buddy's 04 GT braked when I drove it vs my 95 Cobra.