Brakes

[LAK3RS]

I really don't have anything left to do but LT's and a converter. I really don't want to dish the money out for that so I figure I'll do the brakes along with a line lock. I'm looking at this...

- Rotor Pros Drilled/Slotted Rotors (rotorpros.com) $299.99
- Hawk HPS Performance Brake Pads (ls1speed.com) $136.98
- Earl's Braided Brake Lines (ls1speed.com) $99.99
- PMP Line Lock Line Kit (pmpparts.com) $85.00
- Jegs Solenoids (jegs.com) $79.98

Are the brake lines really needed? What do they do performance wise to assist the braking? Also, are there any recommendations on where to purchase a good switch for the line locks as well as where to mount it? Anyone have any better prices or sites to look at to help save a few bucks? On the rotors, are they a good performance mod or are they more of a "look pretty" mod. IMO, the stock rotors are fine with me but will going with some drilled/slotted rotors truly be worth the 300 bucks? Everything thats in bold are for sure going on my ride. I just want to know if the rotors and lines are really worth it....

Thanks,

- Justin

 

[Royb]

IMO - i dont think aftermarket rotors is a good idea for a street car - so i'd stick with stock; every thing else is a good choice. the lines are supposed to reduce the flex of the pressure and therefore increase the piston pressure on the pad (clamping force) but I've never seen a real good way to measure it other than driving the car and testing it.

road &track did a test a few months back with all the super tuner cars and they all had the top of the line brakes, pads, rotors etc, and there was aonly a 12 feet distance in stopping so I figure for 3- 4k 12 feet not worth it for a street car. (if it was a track only car then big yes for the 12 feet) all the cars in R&T were VERY high horsepower cars so i guess you could get more than 12 feet with 500 hp cars - thats my story & i;m sticking 2 it

 

[94tbird]

my R1concepts rotors are holding up great. combined with the ss brake lines and hawk hps pads, the car stops much quicker than before.

it stops on a dime and picks it up too :-D

 

[Buckman]

Here is a link to a write-up I did over on the 4.0 Collective (long read)

http://www.mustangcollective.com/showthread.php?t=9745

Short version:
Cross drilled/slotted not really needed, if you are that concerned with rotors go with a larger rotor.

Hawk pads, braided lines, upgraded fluid is the cheap and effective way to go.

 

[don_w]

Since I'm not a corner carver, I took a different (and simpler) approach. I went with Power Slot slotted front rotors (but kept stock rear rotors), and used Hawk HPS pads all around. I did not change lines or fluid. I got the rotos from AJUSA.com, and the pads from Summit.

As far as line locks, I bought two solenoids from Summit and made my own, http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM-760002&autofilter=1&N=115+-46908&autoview=sku. I couldn't find the correct fittings locally (all I got was blank stares from several auto parts stores around here), so I ended up getting a couple Summit installation kits, too. Everything I needed was in there: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM-G3904&N=0&autoview=sku

I just used a simple Radio Shack safety switch for my line locks, http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062493


BTW, prior to installing the LL's, I had never bent or flared tubing before. So, they ain't purdy, but they have worked great ever since I put them in.

The switch farthest from the dash is the LL switch. The other one is for the radiator fan.

 

[LAK3RS]

Thanks for all the replies and help guys! Buckman, that was a very nice educational read. So I'm going with new pads, line locks, and some fluid. Yall know where I can get some Motul fluid at a decent price? Dot-1 or the more expensive stuff...

 

[LAK3RS]

What kind of brake fluid do yall use, whats recommended?

 

[SoundGuyDave]

What kind of brake fluid do yall use, whats recommended?

Motul RBF600.... DOT4, with a ridiculously high boiling point, and ridiculously high price...

 

[LAK3RS]

Motul RBF600.... DOT4, with a ridiculously high boiling point, and ridiculously high price...

I'm thinking Motul RBF600 or the Dot 5.1. Know anywhere to pick it up at a good price?

 

[SoundGuyDave]

I'm thinking Motul RBF600 or the Dot 5.1. Know anywhere to pick it up at a good price?

Obviously, check with the supporting vendors first, but I got mine from Pegasus Racing.