MidWest SHO Stage III Brake Upgrade -

[showedup]

I'm contemplating going for the MidWest SHO Stage III Brake Upgrade. I have no plans to get custom wheels (I like the stock look of the slicers), so I would be limited to the 12" version of the package. From my communication with Mike it sounds like even with 12" this set up would still be better than a stock '96 conversion (slightly bigger and dual piston). Has anyone out there had this package installed (even a 13" version of it) and what was your experience with it? At $599 it seems not too badly priced vs. alternatives. BTW this is not for track, but for aggressive driving in the mountains (sharp downhill turns, deer on the road, etc.) My car: '92MTX, stiff body package, PP y-pipe, stage I clutch. Any comments? The brake package is described at

http://www.midwestsho.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/102_49/products_id/236

 

[wood_e]

You can modify cobra brake caliper brackets so they'll fit cobra calipers on 11.6 rotors (96 SHO rotors). Its easy, and if you want to keep your slicers it's an economical but powerful upgrade. PM me on how its done.

 

[Shoaz]

I have the original Bondurant 12.2" setup on my silver car now (transplanted from the Pumpkin, which now has the 12.5" Baer kit), and that is essentially the equivalent of this kit. It should be quite a bit better than the 96 upgrade, especially if you ever take the car to the track.

Even for street-only use the dual-piston caliper gives a bit better modulation and feel than a single-piston caliper.

IMHO pads can be a bit harder to change with the PBR calipers than with the stock 94-95 calipers, but it's not a huge difference. For a street car you'll seldom change pads, anyway, so this is essentially a non-issue in that case.

It's a much nicer brake set than the 96 upgrade, which is good, but not like these. And I agree with you that the price is very good as far as brake upgrades go.

I would suggest upgrading the front brake lines to stainless with these. You won't get the full benefit of the improved feel of the dual-piston calipers with soft brake lines, IMHO.

 

[shopartsnw]

We build these kits, so I may be a bit biased.

We have cars running both the 13" and 12" kit. The 12" kit gives you almost identical braking to the 13, but the 13's can hold up better for continuous track usage.

In your case (mountain driving and deer), you probably could not tell much of a difference between the 13" and 12" kit. You will notice a HUGE difference from a stock set up, or even the 96 brake kit.

I know a number of people have used the PBR calipers on 96 rotors, and this is better than a 96 kit, but you still have a 96 rotor that can and will warp under severe usage. The 12" and 13" kits use a much heavier rotor, that we have never warped (even under severe track usage).

Does that help?

- Mike

 

[wood_e]

I know a number of people have used the PBR calipers on 96 rotors, and this is better than a 96 kit, but you still have a 96 rotor that can and will warp under severe usage. The 12" and 13" kits use a much heavier rotor, that we have never warped (even under severe track usage).

The only reason my 96 rotors have warped was because my rear brakes were not functioning. Granted I have never tracked with the set up however I have not came across any warping issues since I found my rear brakes were non-operational.

The 96 rotors can be had cheaply if one does warp, I cannot say that about the 13 inch or 12 inch rotors.