Cobra Brake Upgrade

13in brake upgrade for SN95/fox

For 2002, the Fobra received SN95 brakes all around in the form of 11in front rotors, 99GT dual piston PBR calpers and rear 10.5in GT rotors. For '03 we bring in the new year with a 13in brake upgrade for all SN95 Mustangs and fox cars that have been so retrofitted.

While the 99-up setup is the best of the breed and performed flawlessly, I stumbled across the parts to step up to the next level... the ultimate Ford production brake setup.. from the 94-03 Mustang Cobra parts bin.
These are the same parts that come in the front half of the M2300K kit, and I believe the upgrade for SN cars is available from FRPP as well at a lower cost.

Here are the parts required to perform this upgrade:

• 1994-2003 Mustang Cobra calipers (with brackets)
• 1994-2003 Mustang Cobra rotors (slight difference between years, but all will work)
• Brake Pads

I chose Performance Friction Z pads, as I had good luck with the stf PF's on the 99 setup (which will be going to the 99 now)

First, loosen the lug nuts, raise the vehicle and support it safely on jackstands. If you have access to a lift that is ideal, but most of us dont have that luxury. Next, using a 15mm wrench or socket, remove the two caliper bracket mounting bolts. You will now he able to pull the caliper off the spindle.
A 5/8 box wrench works perfect to remove the banjo bolt from the caliper, watch those crush washers if you plan to reuse them! Brake fluid will start dripping out, so put down a pan if you intent to stop the mess.

Remove the caliper from the vehicle completely, taking care not to splash brake fluid all over, as it removes paint!
The SN95 brake rotors simply slip on and off the hub. If they are frozen or rusted, a few sprays of WD40 or penetrating oil and some light taps with a hammer or mallet should pop them off for you.

You are now looking at the hub and spindle assembly. We're half way there.

Comparing the cobra and GT rotors makes it obvious where the difference lies.. in size! The Cobra rotors are a whopping 13in tall by 1.1in thick! The GT rotors by comparison, appear dwarfed yet still are a healthy 10.8in tall by 1in thick. I sourced my rotors from a friend's 2003 Cobra, but any 94-up cobra will have rotors you can use.

As with thier removal, the Cobra rotors are simply placed on the spindle, try to make them seat square and be aware of any rust that might not let them slide on all the way.

Now on to the calipers. From merely a visual point of view, the Cobra calipers are more appealing. Ours are 96 Cobra calipers, colors will sometimes vary between years. Both the Cobra and 99- Mustang calipers are dual piston PBRs, with the 99 up bringing to the scene dual 44.45mm pistons and the Cobras following with twin 38mm. The cobra's bracket places it higher up to accomodate the larger cobra rotors.

Using the same 15mm headed bolts you removed in the beginning, secure the caliper bracket to the spindle. It helps to use one lug nut to keep the rotor from 'walking'

I reused the same stainless steel lines and bolted them up using the banjo bolts from the Cobra calipers. Bleed both sides, drivers first then passenger, then place the wheel back on and torque the lug nuts.

Wheels on, ready to roll!