Improved pads and rotors will help you enhance your car’s braking ability, but it will only take you so far. If you’re aspiring to move to the next level, conversion kits are the way to achieve this. Think of a conversion kit as a supercharger for your brakes, giving you a substantial increase of 50% or more stopping power. Consider it this way. With a conversion kit you get a bigger surface area so friction can do its job even better. That bigger surface area also allows the brakes to dissipate heat faster so you don't experience brake fade after a stop or two. Conversion kits vary widely in price, depending upon the route you wish to follow. Ford offers the upgrades found on its special edition Cobra and Mach I Mustangs, while renowned companies such as Brembo offer high end conversion kits that offer the ultimate in stopping power.
Should I upgrade my Mustang to a big brake kit? For high performance Mustangs, people tend to work on maximizing the amount of power that their motor creates, but they never consider when you drive faster you will need to stop faster. Upgrading to a “big brake kit” will increase the surface area of your brake pads and rotors, allowing the system to work faster and more efficiently.
- Larger rotors
- Tougher pads
- Bulkier calipers
- Hardier brake lines
Some kits are designed for the front only or the rear only, but there are some that feature everything for the front and back of the car. These kits are a one-stop-shop for your braking needs, giving you everything you need to make a drastic difference in your braking performance. If you want no-holds-barred braking, then a big brake kit is your logical upgrade.
The aftermarket rotors are often offered in two variations: slotted and cross-drilled. Both are a vast improvement over stock. Basically there are holes, or slots cut into the surface of the rotor. This allows heat to escape the surface of the rotor when the brake is applied. The brake calipers on the aftermarket kits are usually a three or four piston design. The benefit of this design is a more even, and stronger clamping force.