We all know how important power isùit throws you back in the seat, shreds tires, and makes driving just plain fun. We spend so much time trying to find more power, but what good is it if you can't stop?
With our Three-Valve Fox getting closer to hitting the street, it's time to put some emphasis on the binders. Because this Mustang sat for so long in New Jersey, the brakes took a beating. Subpar brakes are a huge safety factor, and we discovered rust on the lines and other problems when the lines were removed from the car. There was no chance of reusing parts that were rusty.
Wilwood Engineering sent us...
Wilwood Engineering sent us a set of its Dynalite disk brakes for our Three-Valve swap Fox-body. This kit will allow us to run a 15-inch wheel without sacrificing any braking performance. The front and rear kits come with everything needed to make your Mustang stop on the street and strip.
The front and rear kits come...
The front and rear kits come with everything needed to make your Mustang stop on the street and strip.
1 Before starting the project,...
1 Before starting the project, the Fox spindles needed some modification to fit with the new fixed calipers. As per Wilwood’s instructions, two sections need to be cut off (the stock caliper mounting points). We recommend having a machine shop perform this work as it is a structural suspension component.
Another issue was the lack of space for a power brake booster. The width of the Hot Rod Three-Valve crate engine took up a large chunk of the real estate once occupied by the booster. With this space gone, we had two optionsùinstall the later-model Hydroboost setup or go with manual brakes. Wanting to keep things as simple as possible, we opted to take the manual route.
In order to get all of the parts for our braking system, we turned to Wilwood Engineering for a set of its Dynalite Pro Series four-piston brake kits. These come in separate kits for the front and rear, and use the same fixed-caliper, four-piston design.
The front kit (PN 140-11018) uses 11-inch vented rotors with fixed four-piston calipers. It includes the rotors, calipers, hub assemblies, inner and outer wheel bearings, brake lines, and all of the hardware to mount the kit. The front kit uses the stock Fox-body spindles, but some modifications are required to make the system work.
The rear kit (PN 140-3018B) uses 12.19-inch vented rotors with fixed four-piston calipers, and comes with the rotors, calipers, mounting brackets, and all necessary hardware.
Once each corner was taken care of, it was time address what connects the system. Wilwood also sent us one of its 1-inch bore aluminum tandem master cylinders (PN 260-8555-P). With the switch to manual brakes, this master cylinder will give us all of the flow needed to stop our Fox. Lastly, Wilwood included one of its compact proportioning valves (PN 260-8419), which will allow us to fine-tune the brake bias front to rear.
With all of the hard components in hand, it was time to put it all together. When it comes to lines, there is only one place to turn. Classic Tube offers all of the stock brakes lines for the Fox-body Mustang in durable stainless steel. The lines arrive pre-bent and simply need to be stretched out and installed. As we are switching to manual brakes, the absence of the power brake booster meant some lines had to be altered to fit.
We are ready to go. Follow along as we install our upgraded brakes.
2a Next, the three holes...
2a Next, the three holes on each spindle for the dust shields need to be drilled and tapped. The holes will serve as the mounting location for the new caliper-mounting bracket.
2b The holes will serve as...
2b The holes will serve as the mounting location for the new caliper-mounting bracket.
3a Ensure the new caliper-mounting...
3a Ensure the new caliper-mounting bracket sits flush against the face of the spindle...