Braking The Control Freak S197 Mustang

Last month, we launched our buildup series about an S197 Mustang modified right in the middle of the San Diego Auto Show ("Independent Thinker"). The first installment was on the Control Freak front suspension conversion from struts to tubular A-arms. One important item was not covered in detail, however: the brakes.

That's because they deserve special attention all on their own, since they have eight--count 'em, eight--pistons in each front caliper. Offered as an option on the Control Freak package, the Force 10 V8 eight-piston calipers and 14-inch rotors are made by Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation (SSBC).

Why so many pistons? Obviously, increasing the clamping force is desirable, especially when you add a lot of horsepower (in this case, from a Kenne Bell blower, which we'll cover in a later issue). As SSBC President Mike Jonas points out, "With any type of motor work, you end up out-driving the factory front brakes. With our eight-piston calipers, though, you never run out of brakes."

For comparison, Jonas says the stock binders have only a pair of 45mm pistons, while the SSBC calipers have eight 40mm pistons. Not only that, the grooved and plated rotors are 2 inches larger in diameter than the factory units, so this Plus 2 conversion provides a significant gain in clamping surface area.

Together these two aspects increase the net effective clamping force of the brakes for a clenching stop, but there's yet another benefit of extra pistons--increased pad longevity, due to a more even distribution of force on much larger pads. That's not to say the pucks are hard to replace--they're readily available, off-the-shelf Hawk HPS parts.

In addition to operating advantages of these big brakes, there's a visual aspect as well. "They're functional, but also look cool," Jonas says. "They really fill the wheels." Note that these brakes are so large, they require 20-inch rolling stock.

The SSBC Force 10 V8 system boasts eight-piston front calipers and 14-inch front rotors. Instead of merely two 45mm pistons used on the stock brakes, there are eight 40mm pistons on the SSBC calipers, a huge increase in clamping area. Also, the slotted and plated rotors are two inches larger than stock.	Note the stainless steel pistons and fittings, and large vents in the rotor for heat transfer.	These brakes are so large, they require 20-inch wheels for sufficient clearance.
The rear brakes have larger rotors as well, along with off-the-shelf Hawk HPS pads.	SSBC's rear calipers have a single 54mm piston, substantially larger than the stock.	The stock caliper has a much smaller 38mm piston in the back.