What Are the Performance Benefits of Upgrading Your Ford Mustang Brakes?

Each Ford Mustang generation has brought improvements compared to the previous one, but the thing is that there are many things that owners can do to further improve the car’s performance or style. Even though power and torque are most commonly the topic of conversations between enthusiasts, braking power is equally important. While you can reach high speeds quickly, don’t forget that you need stopping power as well to be able to use all that power with confidence.

In this article, we’ll talk about what are the performance benefits of upgrading your Ford Mustang brakes, and what you can expect from a modified braking system.

Improved Braking Power

Replacing the factory brakes on the Mustang, whether it’s the GT, EcoBoost, or even Dark Horse, can have a significant effect on the car’s braking power. Even though different versions of the Mustang have different types of brake systems installed, they’re specifically chosen to provide enough stopping power based on the car’s factory power and torque. Making any type of modification to the car’s engine, increasing its power and torque, requires increasing the braking power as well to maintain the same driving safety.

Even if you haven’t done anything to increase the car’s power, bigger brakes with improved braking power are a great way to improve driving safety. Even a few feet less required to bring a car to a full stop can prevent an accident or worse.

Select brake pads that can pull your car to a stop faster than stock. For that, check out carbon ceramic brake pads, or performance-minded ceramic pads, because you don’t want to risk taking too much speed into the corner at the track.

Better Durability and Consistent Performance

Unlike factory components, performance braking systems are made to withstand extreme driving conditions. Driving more aggressively requires more aggressive braking, and it’s not uncommon to have your pads or rotors overheat, especially on a track day. Excessive heat and an aggressive driving style can quickly reduce braking performance and lead to brake fade and increased stopping distance. We won’t even go into the noise overheated brakes make.

When it comes to the best Ford Mustang brake upgrades, it’s important to stick to reputable brands that are known for making durable components from premium-quality materials. Brands such as Xbrakes and PowerStop are both great choices, whether you have a Mustang EcoBoost or a Mustang Dark Horse.

Look for Mustang rotors with the best heat dispersion characteristics. Stock rotors are vented – at least, for front rotors – but cross-drilled and slotted rotors can’t be beat for letting extreme temperatures out while also resisting warpage.

Reduced Weight

Weight doesn’t play such a big role in everyday cars; however, if you’re building your Mustang for the track, every pound less is a fraction of a second faster lap times. Replacing factory brake pads, rotors, and even brake lines can reduce the car’s weight, ultimately improving its handling and performance.

Why Upgrade Brakes on Your Mustang?

It’s undeniable that the brake system is the most important system in any car. Factory-fitted brakes are designed to withstand normal driving conditions, but they’re not indestructible. Regular wear will occur even on the highest-quality brake components, which is one of the primary reasons to check and replace brake components regularly.

If you’re using your Mustang for more than just joyriding and keeping it under the speed limit, adding more braking power shouldn’t be avoided. Although power and torque are important for racing and track days, being able to brake later and harder is equally important. Performance brakes are made to withstand the excessive heat that naturally comes from aggressive driving.

Another important reason is the consistency you can expect from your brakes. Performance brakes will provide the same amount of braking power when they’re new as well as after a few thousand miles. This feature is vital when more than one person drives the same car. Expecting a specific amount of braking power when you hit the brakes and getting far less can lead to unwanted consequences.

Final Thoughts

There are many benefits to upgrading your Ford Mustang brakes. Driving safety is the most important one due to regular component wear. Improving brake performance can also enhance driving quality as well as improve your car’s performance on the track.

When considering parts to replace, make sure to invest in the highest-quality brands available. Having components made from the highest-quality materials will ensure proper braking power, durability, as well as silence while braking. Brake dust is also significantly reduced with parts made from high-quality materials.

Our selection includes a wide variety of brake components, from OEM to performance pads, rotors, brake lines, and other accessories for your build. Finding the right parts is made easy, and by selecting the year, make, model, and engine size, there’s no way of choosing parts that aren’t compatible with your car. Our sales techs are also available in case you need any help choosing the perfect parts for your Mustang.