Improving brake system with upgrades and hydroboost idea

[robvert]

I need opinions. What I have now is in top condition and does its thing with fair confidence. But I feel it can do better… I drive the car often in all kinds of conditions and although I have only a mild built 5.0/EFI in the 66 there have been times when I wish I had more assured braking power. My brake system has been well maintained and feels as it always has… so everything is working correctly.

Another goal is to keep 16” wheels. I have an old SSC Kelsey-Hayes type 11.25 inch front disk set up, recent Hawk HPS pads and braided SS lines with vacuum power booster. Rear end is rebuilt stock drum with a good upgraded pad. Also, my suspension is in good shape being a TCP coil over front with Maier springs out back.

My plan is to upgrade the following:

1) Since I already have good PowerSlot rotors and SS lines I thought I’d just upgrade to SSC’s alum caliper kit that fits what I have. They claim “25% more contact area” and more clamping force. Easy, cheap direct bolt-on. IF I went with a whole new set up it would be Street or Track’s 12x1.25 4-piston alum caliper front (fits 16” wheels), but this would cost me a thousand more.

2) Install rear disks. Either one of two SSC kits or SorT’s 10.5 disk kit. I have a proportioning valve so I assume my relatively small 11.25 front could be balanced with a 11.25 or 10.5 rear?

3) Hydroboost unit from Hydratech or THI (they make a kit now for 64-66). With 1-1/8 master cyl recommended.

Classic Car and Truck Brake, Steering and Suspension Parts

Would this make a significant improvement, again since I’m limiting myself to 16” wheels?

My main conundrum is to whether the hydroboost is a big improvement in terms of pedal feel and modulation over my existing vac booster (which feels rather light and a bit squishy). I’m willing to spend the money if it’s a significant improvement. I’ve seen that others have done this but I didn’t read any performance reviews.

I am also curious if others have upgraded their brake pedal mechanism somehow. This may be where part of my ‘feel’ problem comes from… the relatively sloppy stock setup (yes, I do have new bushings… I was thinking a roller bearing kit would improve the feel but evidently these are made only for clutch/brake pedal setup unless someone knows different and can point me in the right direction).

thanks

[Ottoparts]

Not sure on a Mustang (and I have yet to do the breaking system on mine), but I put a hydro-boost on my F350 and one on my 50 Ford. It was a huge improvement on my F350 and I have yet to drive the 50.
Therefore with my experience with hydro-boosts has been good. But I did not buy "kits" either.
Good luck with with either direction you go with.

[bartl]

Not knowing your idea of "more assured braking power" I have only my '66, also mild 5.0 powered to compare it with. I have the K-H OE set-up with standard rotors, single, non-power assist master cylinder, adjustable rear prop valve and 10 x 1.75" rear drums and I can pretty much lock up the wheels most anytime.

I like the idea of the additional clamping force of the upgraded calipers but I think from a braking perspective you can obtain more rear braking force from larger drums than with type typical disc setups for your size wheels. I'd go with the 10 x 2.5" drums which, when you consider that the rears only do 30% of the work, should be more than adequate. If you want to go larger on the fronts you COULD go with the Lincoln/T-bird K-H calipers and the 12" big Ford rotor.....

My only experience with hydroboost has been servicing, mostly on GM applications in diesels and big wagons. If you have decent vacuum I'd say there shouldn't be much benefit.

[briannstacey]

I just picked up the hydroboost kit from Hyrdotech. Although I have not installed it yet everything I have read says hydroboosts are a great deal better the vacuum boosters. A buddy of mine has one on his early Bronco with a stroked out 351 Windsor and he swears by it.

Brian

[GT289]

Brake "feel" is definitely in the objective category.
I will tell you this, most of the D-11 pads really leave a lot to be desired
in the co-efficient of drag category. And even the trick pads like the
Porterfield's, which might have the Mu performance, don't really leave
you confident because the small Kelsey Hayes rotor isn't up to snuff.

I went away from the factory setup years ago and installed the big
car (Galaxie/LTD) setup. Although the rotor is only 11.75", it's much
thicker and quite heavy. The matching calipers have bigger pistons
and the clamping force is considerably more.
Works really well, even without a booster. Fits some 15" wheels and
most 16" wheels. Have it on both a '66 GT track car and '68 street
car. (Versailles disc rear on the 66 and 10x2.5 drum on the 68)
Not running trick pads on either car and have a very high confidence
level.....

[55Speed]

my car has the hydratech with a cobra brake kit and hawk hp+ pads and it will throw you out of the seat, huge improvement over the vacuum booster i replaced. my only complaint are the extra hoses to run as it can be hard to run them neatly and get optimal flow, it took 3 variations of hose routings to get my system to work right but now i know for next time.

[robvert]

Originally Posted by 55Speed

my car has the hydratech with a cobra brake kit and hawk hp+ pads and it will throw you out of the seat, huge improvement over the vacuum booster i replaced. my only complaint are the extra hoses to run as it can be hard to run them neatly and get optimal flow, it took 3 variations of hose routings to get my system to work right but now i know for next time.

55Speed - Did you have that brake system with the booster and then change to the hydroboost? so, just the hydroboost made a huge difference?

what pump do you have? I have a KRC with separate fluid tank. May have to talk to them about it's application. I can see what you mean about hose routing.

also what size is your MC bore. I had one vendor tell me 1" and the other said 1.125" (both seemed very knowledgable and both use the same bosch unit). the guy that said 1" was especially familiar with KRC pumps and mustangs... so I'm leaning towards that recommendation.

[dnewman9]

I did a hydroboost on my 68 using all parts from Builder of high quality hydroboost brake systems it works fantastic, was pretty cheap and is 100% bolt on which was big to me. Depending on which hydroboost you source, they sell the fittings to convert to AN, custom line kit, firewall adapter with the tool to remove the nut, and custom pedal rods to fit to the factory pedal. I had to mess around with the right brake light switch to get it to actuate with little resistance, but my car REALLY stops now with factory brakes.
Dennis