Brakes

Brake Calipers

Brake calipers press the pad against the brake rotor creating friction. As you know, friction creates heat; excessive heat can cause what is known as brake “fade.” What happens is, the pads head up so much that the pad will glaze and turn into a glass like substance. Glass pressing on metal does not create too much friction; this can cause an inability to stop. The stock mustang GT brakes are just not effective under heavy braking. A suggestion for better brakes is to switch to the Cobra’s front twin piston caliper/13’’ rotor PBR brakes. These brakes are wonderful for mild open tracking when brake cooling ducts are made.

For those who are a little more extreme, Brembo Cobra R brakes are available for purchase at a reasonable price. If you want the best streetable braking system, Stoptech offers a wonderful floating-rotor 4 piston caliper brake design. The Cobra R calipers as well as many other “big brake” companies require a certain wheel to clear the brake calipers. Here is a quick link to show the exact measurements needed to clear Stoptech, Brembo, and many other “big brake” designs. Some wheels that can clear these brakes are the Cobra R wheels, 1998 Cobra wheels, Steeda Ultra-lites and König Villains. Stock 03/04 Cobra wheels can clear the Brembo Cobra R brakes.

Brake Rotors

To learn the basics of what a brake rotor does, go here. I would personally rather get into modifications involving brake rotors than explaining exactly what they do.

Infamous Cross-Drilled vs. Slotted vs. Plain Rotors

Simply put, cross-drilled rotors suck. They offer no extra stopping capabilities and just crack under high heat. Way back in the 50s, there was a use for them, as the pads would “outgas.” When a pad presses on the rotor and creates friction, heat occurs as well as gas from the brake pads. Under severe and heavy braking, this gas builds up quite a bit and considering it had nowhere to go, the gas would go between the rotor and the pad. This would have the same effect as brake fade but at a much higher degree. Engineers decided to put little holes in the rotor so the heat has places to go. The downside of that is the fact that rotors would crack often. Today’s pads do not have the “out-gassing” problems they did many years ago. You may be saying to yourself, “Porsche uses cross-drilled rotors so they must be good!” Well, they crack just as easily too I’m afraid. It’s all a business thing. If they can get you to pay over $8000 for their “bling” brakes, they’ll do it. For a more in-depth discussion, go here.

Slotted rotors do have some use for today but are still a money waster unless you plan on rally racing or endurance racing. When you brake, the pads will throw little rocks out because of the material they’re made of and the heat they receive from the friction. Slots are designed to carry these little rocks away. They are mainly used for rally racing because of all the dirt and crap that can get in between brake pads and rotors. In the end, you’ll be best off with your standard plain rotor. If you decide to get slotted rotors, make sure they do not keep the slot going all the way to the edge. This can create cracks.

Floating Rotors

Floating rotors or two-piece rotors are specially designed rotors that prevent warping of the rotors. By having a two-piece rotor, the heat is absorbed in the rotor only and not the hub. These are great rotors but are pricey. For more detailed information, go here.

Bigger Rotors

Bigger rotors are what make a car’s brakes “retina severing.” By having a bigger rotor, you allow for more heat to be absorbed in the rotor and more importantly a bigger “grabbing” surface and leverage, which, in turn allows for better stopping ability. Think of it this way: Try taking out a stuck bolt with a 4’ ratchet. Now try taking it out with a torque wrench. If you really want your car to stop better though, get better tires. Tires are what make the car stop, not the brakes.

Brake Pads

The brake pads are what actually touch the rotors and create the friction. For the normal driver, stock brake pads are perfectly fine. For those who want a little more stopping power, Hark makes some amazing stuff. Their street pad is wonderful and I highly recommend it. Hawk also makes some race only pads as well for you auto-x/road racing guys out there. Keep in mind that race pads will usually squeal and create tons of brake dust; it’s the nature of the beast. Those “lifetime” pads are usually crap, as they seem to just chew up the rotor.