new brakes for a sometime driver...

I am looking to replace the brakes on a 2005 Mustang GT...I am looking for better than OE performance but there are so many choices and I am uninterested in paying for fluff (or upgrades that I will never use)...anyone offer up some thoughts and experiences???

I have a sometime driver 2005 GT and I can't see paying for drilled and/or slotted rotors, it won't see a racetrack or autocross so I'm looking for suggestions on something that may improve the OE brakes but not be expensive as I have already spent a bit getting my GT up and running.

It looks from other threads that I cannot do the GT500 upgrade as I have 17" wheels and the GT500 from what I've read need the 18'ers to clear the rotors.

I will be replacing rotors and pads but keeping the stock calipers...

Thanks for anything you would care to share...

Bill

This may help.
http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30272

doh...thanks

Bill

skwerl said:

This may help.
http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30272

Click to expand...

Moved

SilverSport said:

I am looking to replace the brakes on a 2005 Mustang GT...I am looking for better than OE performance but there are so many choices and I am uninterested in paying for fluff (or upgrades that I will never use)...anyone offer up some thoughts and experiences???

I have a sometime driver 2005 GT and I can't see paying for drilled and/or slotted rotors, it won't see a racetrack or autocross so I'm looking for suggestions on something that may improve the OE brakes but not be expensive as I have already spent a bit getting my GT up and running.

It looks from other threads that I cannot do the GT500 upgrade as I have 17" wheels and the GT500 from what I've read need the 18'ers to clear the rotors.

I will be replacing rotors and pads but keeping the stock calipers...

Thanks for anything you would care to share...

Bill

Click to expand...

Problem is your not going to really gain performance in terms of stopping power, common misconception. The "performance" by using different oem replacement pads and rotors is things like have cooler looking rotors that dissipate heat better, pads that don't fade as easy when hot or pad material last longer or make lest dust than others or less noise or more aggressive bite material etc. You can lock up any standard brake and rotor quickly, its the tires that stop the car anyway. The brakes turn rotational energy into heat and slow the wheels and the friction of the tires on the road slow the car down. Things that actually allow the car to stop quicker is less vehicle weight, lighter rotational mass (lighter wheels and rotors), tires with more contact patch on the road and better traction, larger diameter rotors and pads with more surface area. A stainless brake line upgrade from caliper to hard line is a popular mod, again won't measurably affect brake performance but does improve brake pedal feel.

My suggestion go to rockauto.com and get some good oem replacement pads and rotors that suit your needs and wallet.

Want to stop quicker? Go buy a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports for your car. I pulled 1.16 G force stopping from 50 mph with stock pads and rotors, never skidded the tires.

GOOD tires, stock rotors, decent pads (ceramic pads from Autozone are actually pretty good pads), fresh brake fluid.

Your brake fluid is a must at this point, also expect to do the front and rear brakes at nearly the same time as these cars wear brakes very evenly front to rear.

thanks guys...I know the tires do most of the work here but I am replacing the stock rotors and pads (cuz they need it) and I just wanted advice on getting the most bang for my buck without going to fluff...your advice is well heeded here...looks like stock rotors, ceramic pads and fresh brake fluid is the ticket

Thanks again,

Bill

Only thing I'd like to chime in with is make sure you get ceramic pads. I originally (mistakenly) got semi-metallic pads when I did my Brembo swap and after 2 weeks of driving there was brake dust everywhere. Swapped them out for ceramics, problem gone.

I now buy the StopTech pads from RockAuto. Great value/performance.

When I did my brakes the first time I bought a kit from TPS Motorsports which included
HPS-HP Front & HPS-HP Rear (HP Street) Hawk Performance Brake Pads. * 3 Pints Motul High Temp Brake Fluid. * TPS DOT Approved Stainless Steel Brake Lines. * TPS Slotted/ Dimpled Rotors (2 front & 2 rear).


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Along with StopTech pads I'd go with Centric premium rotors. Stoptech and Centric are the same company but that is not to say that your rotors and pads need to match companies. Rotors are a little better than OEM and about the same price, listed in the Daily Driver section on Rockauto.

After you get everything replaced make sure you bed the brakes properly. It's process for matching the pads to the rotors and increasing the stopping performance.

great advice...I was looking to buy a kit but it seems that I should buy the parts separately...thanks,

Bill

The stock brakes are fine if you're not autocrossing or doing track days. Get some decent tires.