What do i need to accomplish 13 inch rotors on the front with current mods?

[greenbeanmtx]

Hey guys. Its pretty rare for me to have to post a thread needing help on these cars anymore but i need some advice. Currently Bandito has the 11.6 inch upgrade on the front with aluminum pbr calipers. The rear is stock. These brakes are lousy to say the least compared to my vettes brakes which i know should be expected. What im encountering right now is lots of brake fade once i get on the brakes a few times after some spirited driving. If i get them hot enough then they will start to grip pretty well but still not happy enough for me. Ive got new high performance pads sitting in the box in the garage just havent put them on yet. Now here is my question. What all would it entail for me to convert the fronts to 13 inch rotors while utilizing the pbr's still and would it be feasible to move the 11.6's currently on the front to the rear? If so what all would i need there? This car handles so well and drives so well that i feel that the brakes are a huge let down. In town its fine. But now that i have time to enjoy some occasional track time id like to get them up to par. Also if it rains they fade pretty bad there too. I assume its because of the wheels being so open that they get wet. Id like to go to slotted or drilled rotors if need be. Anyways any advice or suggestions are much appreciated.

 

[SinisterSHO]

The PBR calipers you have are the GT version, correct? I'm not sure if those can be used on the 13" rotors or not. However, if your getting fade, a good set of pads can help you with that. I've ridden in a gutted SHO making 250 whp with 96 brakes and carbotech pads on the track. It was stopping just as good as my Cobra brakes were.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

To be honest im not sure if they are mustang calipers or not. The previous owner put them on. If memory serves me correctly he said they were specified for a corvette. Here is a picture if that helps any.

 

[luigisho]

I think all you need is the caliper brackets to move the calipers out to accept the 13" rotors. Are those 17" wheels? You'll probably need 17" wheels to fit the 13" rotors behind them. Shonut used to offer a kit for the rear 11.6 setup. Check with shobros too.

 

[SinisterSHO]

Those are the Cobra calipers. If the original holes for the bracket are intact, you can just use those holes with the 13" rotor. Otherwise you might need to buy a new bracket.

 

[luigisho]

Oh yeah and check with the sho parts northwest people. They were selling all kinds of pbr stuff a while ago.

 

[SASHO91]

Change the pads out first bro.... When i switched to PFCM's.. man, i'll tell ya.. After that, then see if you still need/want the 13's.

Have you thought about Bias valves? Get those rears working harder.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

Change the pads out first bro.... When i switched to PFCM's.. man, i'll tell ya.. After that, then see if you still need/want the 13's.

Have you thought about Bias valves? Get those rears working harder.

Yea i thought id put the pads on first and see cause honestly i think its got some cheap autozones on it right now. Whatever the previous owner put on it. I thought about bias valves but honestly i dont want to rears attempting to lock up on me. I know ive got abs but still its uncomforting to have the rear end of a fwd car come out on me. I can fix that problem in my vette by giving the gas pedal a love tap hehe.

 

[SASHO91]

once you learn the limits of the brake system on your car, its not bad at all. Once you find that sweet spot(thresh hold) the car really digs in.

But yeah, I know how you feel about the back end swaping... you remember the twin right?

 

[luigisho]

PFCM's are good and messy too. Try some Hawk pads if you don't want to change the hardware setup.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

PFCM's are good and messy too. Try some Hawk pads if you don't want to change the hardware setup.

I assume when you say messy your talking about all the brake dust? I dont really mind that since i wash the car once a week anyways.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

The conversion for the 11.6 required some shaving that does not allow the brackets to be used on 13's. You need new brackets.

 

[TYSHO]

Change the pads out first bro.... When i switched to PFCM's.. man, i'll tell ya..

So, you finally choose to buy them?

 

[greenbeanmtx]

The conversion for the 11.6 required some shaving that does not allow the brackets to be used on 13's. You need new brackets.

Ahh good to know. Well id be happy just swapping pads and keeping the same size but going with slotted rotors or something. Thanks for telling me that.

 

[SASHO91]

if you go slotted, you'll have even more brake dust. Just keep the solid rotors(for other reasons as well).

After about 4 days, my wheels start to look flat black.... and they are glossy...

Here is a good brake info page bro.
http://www.shotimes.com/brakes/survey/brakes9.html

 

[NJSHO]

You could also spacer the bracket out, or trade brackets with someone who is looking for the cobra/11.6 setup. It would be a win win.

 

[SHO92]

You shouldn't have any braking problems with the current setup on the street. Switch to better pads first, like others mentioned. Brake fade is a result of pad compound and brake fluid more then rotor size. How fresh is the fluid?? The Valvoline synthetic brake fluid is a good brand to use, holds up on the track and is easy enough to find.

Try that first. If you are using Autozone (Albany brand) pads, throw them right in the garbage and get something else. Some people have actually had the pad compound melt and smear.

Pepboys sells Hawk brand pads, ask for pads that fit a 2001 Cobra, which seem to have a good rep with some on the forum, while others hate them. I happen to like them very much.

 

[SHOspazz92]

I have the baer kit that I belive was sold at TCE. Its currently utilizing 13'' Cobra rotors that were milled down to 12'' to fit under slicers. What a great setup. In anycase, I had a recent experience on the freeway where I had to nail the brakes pretty hard. They didnt lock up but that rear end sure didnt hesitate to come around on me! Yikes. Oddly enough....the ABS light now will not go off. D'oh!

-Sam

 

[sdpatt]

That PBR caliper and pad combination has a noticeably smaller swept area that the '96 caliper and the PFCM 0598-20 setup. The red SHO'd calipers are much better looking though. I have been very pleased with the stopping grunt of the 96/PFCM combination. Once they get a little warmth in them, they use all of the tire's traction with only moderate pressure on the pedal. Replacement parts are easy to buy through any auto parts outlet.

To be honest im not sure if they are mustang calipers or not. The previous owner put them on. If memory serves me correctly he said they were specified for a corvette. Here is a picture if that helps any.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

Hope your feelin better Scott. Yea i like the setup youve got and if i did an upgrade on a different car id probably go your route. But i gotta admit i dig the look of my calipers hehe. I still havent gotten the chance the swap the pads out but it sounds like thats all i need to do. Ill keep everyone posted.