Brakes or Suspension First?

[orange150]

Building my car ('65 Coupe) for mix use, street and track.
What should I address first, the brakes or suspension?
Both are stock, with drums on all four corners.

The biggest issue I have with replacing the brakes is that I will more than likely have to buy new wheels and tires; I have 14"s up front and 15"s in the rear.

I need guidance. My grand ideas and wants are much larger than my wallet.

Thanks!

[Jsams]

Brakes! You need to be able to drive the car safely and with confidence.
Street or Track has some good kits

[orange150]

Originally Posted by Jsams

Street or Track has some good kits

Tell me about it!
My wishlist for S&T is currently sitting at $12k

[66FSTBCK]

CSRP brakes will fit under 14" wheels. I just bought fronts but have not installed them yet. Brakes first!

[CobraSix]

if both are in equal condition, brakes. However, if your brakes are in good shape and suspension in poor shape, get the suspension up to snuff. Dead shocks and such can make the car very dangerous.

[orange150]

Originally Posted by 66FSTBCK

CSRP brakes will fit under 14" wheels. I just bought fronts but have not installed them yet. Brakes first!

Just looked through their kits:
Either one fits 14s? 2311 or 1311?

Your car looks fantastic btw

[latamud]

I agree, I would do brakes first. To go fast you have to be able to stop fast. If you plan for bigger wheels get the big brakes to fit. Horrible to run tiny rotors on bigger wheels. Ten get the new wheels/tires soon after. Shucks, that's one of the first things I swap out when I start a new project, any car.

[buening]

It depends on what kind of suspension you want. If you go with a Mustang II style or RRS Macpherson Strut, they use a different spindle and thus a different brake. I personally hate both types, but thought I'd throw that out there.

[Tarmac_69_Mustang]

Hard to say.

A proper suspension setup will maximize your braking potential. Weight distribution, ride height, coilover spring rate, etc.

Around the same importance is tires. Without proper tire type and size you wont see very much of what your brakes are capable of.

Both kind of go hand in hand. Better brakes won't meant much if your tires suck and your weight distribution and spring rates suck.

I say get suspension, you'd be amazed at how much better it could make your current brake setup become. I came from M3s and track car setups; that's just my 2 cents.

[Beau M]

Is this a daily driver? If so, geo metro first. That way you can have the stang off the road for a while, and do it all in one shot.

[TheShagg]

If you have a jelly jar master cylinder system, I would be looking to ditch that as fast as possible.

Beyond that, replace what is broken, first.

Also, if your wallet is thin, maybe keep to small mods that make a big difference, like roller perches and strut rods.

People tend to get caught up in the hobby like its some kind of "...measuring contest". There is always something better you could buy.

[Huskinhano]

Originally Posted by CobraSix

if both are in equal condition, brakes. However, if your brakes are in good shape and suspension in poor shape, get the suspension up to snuff. Dead shocks and such can make the car very dangerous.

Great advice!

[Benjis66]

Brakes! Buy CSRP and with the money you save, rebuild suspension.

[Campindog]

Think about sticky tires and wheels. 14" wheels are gonna be a problem for any performance mod.

I think you should address the weakest link (most worn out parts).

[orange150]

I've ordered the CSRP kit for my car along with a full rebuild for the rear.

Thanks for the help all. I'm going to focus on my suspension now.