Hi guys,

When I had my audi I used to do several club events (road course) a year. Right away I learned power is not going to get me around the track faster but good tires, brakes, and suspension will drop the lap times significantly. With that said, I had porsche calipers and rotors installed and switching pads was as simple as pulling the retainer pins, pushing on the rotor and sliding the pads out and dropping the track pads in.

My question to you guys is how easy is it to change the pads? Can I do it my self without rebleeding the brakes?

Also what pads do you guys recommend? It seems like Hawk and EBC are the companies that sell Mustang brake pads. EBC are color coded, red, green etc. and hawk pads are street, plus, and endurance???

I can't upgrade the whole system, just pads and brake fluid (which do you recommend?)

Also, if I have to re-bleed the brakes then I would want a pad that is good for the street and track.

Thanks guys!

 

The pads are easy to change but a little more involved than fixed calipers like the Porsches you had. You unbolt the lower guide pin bolt that attaches the caliper body to the pad brace and swing the caliper body up and remove the pads. Press the pistons back in with the cap off the master cylinder reservoir. Reverse for assembly and torque the bolt to 25 ft/lbs. Then take the car for a spin to bed them in.


Hawk HPS are excellent for the street, and very good for the track. Hawk HP+ are excellent for the track but not a good everyday pad for the street.

I won't buy EBC 'cos I've heard numerous bad reports from track people about fade and breakup of the friction material, and other problems related to specific applications.

There's also Carbotech pads, but I haven't used them: http://www.carbotecheng.com/appguide-pads-ford.htm

Castrol SRF, Ate Typ200/Super Blue, or Valvoline Synthetic are all good fluids... the Valvoline benefitting from being available at any parts store.

The pads will be the best upgrade. Fluid isn't necessary unless you're boiling it. Start with pads, and if you're still fading real bad with those then change the fluid.

 

Grasshopper gave you the 411 on the pad change.

As for brands, I have run EBC Green and Red. Both were great for the weekend around the track (about 2 hours driving total each) but not much more....the green's did break up more than the reds, though even they were an improvement over the stock. The Greens are not really intended for track use though I don't think so I probably put them through more than they were designed....the reds did pretty good.

I'm going to go with HPS+for a while and then might try EBC again in the fall. I am running Hawk ceramics on the street right now...just put them in this weekend so too early to really give an opinion but so far I like them.

Definately be prepared to change out the stock brake fluid with a synthetic at your first event. I have yet to find a 05/06 GT that did not have boiled fluid after several hard sessions. Mine boiled after only 3 half hour runs (with about 1 hour between) the first time out.

 

Wow, interesting on the brake fluid. I have a track day (3.5 mile 21 turn 40' wide track) Coming up in June. Which is hot weather as is.
Im not going out to try and break any records, but I do want to have fun, this is my 1st time.
Do you think at a minimum I get some street/track pads and some sythetic fluid? Stock rotors fine? Brake hoses?

 

If you're changing the fluid, you might as well do stainless hoses, 'cos the Mustang needs them real bad, so it's a good excuse.

 

Hmmm. Well we have a brake flush machine at work, makes it somewhat easier. But the stainless hoses really arent that expensive. But then I might as well change the rotors, then the pads........ then the rears, lol. Buy the whole kit!

 

With that many turns I would definately go with a race set of pads (the HPS+ are a good bet - I am not 100% sold on the EBCs yet...they did a great job but seemed to wear a bit too fast for my liking), change the fluid and go with the stainless hoses for good measure.
Stock rotors are good as long as you are not going to push it too hard...I regularly get up to 110+mph on the short straights, (more if I am confident in my lines - once I got to 140 and then promptly locked up the rear brakes...freaking nuts..thank God that was after my suspension upgrades!!) and plant pretty hard and the stock system has held up....though as I've posted I can see a set of 14" Brembo's in my not too distant future.

Also you might want to run some brake ducts...easy to mount from the lower grill openings.

I would just swap between your stock pads and the track pads before/after track....only takes a few minutes.

 

Alright, you made up my mind, that was easy, lol.
Have any handy links to reliable dealer for pads and hoses?
Track is a 25 minute mostly expressway drive from home and work. Id rather swap out the pads at work on the lift, they should suffice the street driving short term? Or how about a more streetable pad thats also good for the track? Im not sure how many times I will get this chance, maybe once a year if Im lucky. Rather make use out of the pads(everyday driving), vs maybe a couple of times.
sorry for so many questions, just trying to be informed.
and at least its right on topic!

Possibly this set up? I notice it says good for street and autocross, but not extended race track sessions.
It looks like we will be running for 20 minutes, then 75-80 minutes down time. for about 6 times during the day.

 

Brenspeed has the best deal that I can see, with or without rotors...
http://www.brenspeed.com/mustang_2005/brakes.html

 

Lol thanks grasshopper, thats the link I forgot to put in my post.
I think I will go that route, without the rotors.