S197 First Fun Car Build Thread Profile - S197 Mustangs

[misterpeanut]

Wow, well that makes my decision finished. Dang, gotta order more parts now.

 

[Apexpny]

Oops, sorry you gotta buy more parts but I guess that's the racecar life. Btw, rock auto still sells the oem motorcraft rotors, I think they are like 60 bucks a piece. Some suppliers sell a dog bone looking bracket to line up the caliper with the bigger rotors. They're cheaper than the oem brackets and you don't have to pull axles but not sure how stout they are. I used the ford brackets but maybe someone here has had luck with the dog bone things.

 

[misterpeanut]

I took a gander at the front brakes, I've been monitoring my ever thinning ... thin brake pads, and noticed we are at a level that gives me NO confidence, and the last thing I want is to be the guy in the car crash going "I dunno why my brakes failed, derp-de-derp". So, this weekend I swapped the rotors and pads. After hammering off the front rotors, everything got a nice light coating of anti-seize and Hawk's lube to all the contact points. Stupid rear pistons are a pain to screw in with needle nose pliers. I know there are tools, but every review said the tool sucks and just use needle nose pliers.

I so badly wanted to go for the GT500 rear rotor setup, but couldn't wait. Thankfully these new rear rotors aren't too expensive so I won't feel so bad when I do go for the GT500 setup later on.

All in all, the new pads and rotors have a great feel now! No more squishy pedal and questions in the back of my mind.

 

[Vettel-ish]

Nice little build! Following.

 

[EF1]

If you have the right tool the rear brake pistons are easy.

 

[67GTA]

These suck and aren’t worth the money:


These are worth every penny:


https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SER41540

 

[stevbd]

If you have the right tool the rear brake pistons are easy.

My local Advanced Auto does free tool rentals (with a returnable deposit) and the brake caliper return tool kit is the best. Use it every time I do rear brakes, super easy. The little generic multi-tools you can buy don't fit.
@misterpeanut this is a cool build thread, nicely done

 

[stevbd]

@67GTA I was posting at the same time as you. I would like your post 10x if I could lol. Those multi-tools are the worst, I hate them with the passion of a thousand suns. The tool kit rental is the way to go for sure.

 

[EF1]

This is the set I have.

Sunex 3930 Sunex Tools Brake Caliper Service Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Sunex Tools Brake Caliper Service Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Brake Caliper Tools at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[Vettel-ish]

This is the set I have.

Sunex 3930 Sunex Tools Brake Caliper Service Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Sunex Tools Brake Caliper Service Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Brake Caliper Tools at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Eric has been very helpful and inspiring in my old build as well.

 

[EF1]

My local Advanced Auto does free tool rentals (with a returnable deposit) and the brake caliper return tool kit is the best. Use it every time I do rear brakes, super easy. The little generic multi-tools you can buy don't fit.
@misterpeanut this is a cool build thread, nicely done

The loan a tool program at Advance Auto comes in handy for items that are used occasionally. I prefer to purchase tools that are used often. Brakes on a track car are one of those things that constantly need attention. Having your own set of brake tools saves a lot of time in trips to the auto parts store. I also carry my set to the track every time I go. I don't use it myself at the track very often but about half the time someone needs it.

 

[302BOB]

When you see this thread on the menu all you see is "First Fun Car"...right??.....My memory cells jump back to the early 70's when I bought a 1968 Olds 442 400CI 4 spd ...... that baby hauled butt!!!!!!!!......I powered shifted that car more than I care to remember and it never let me down............I'll never abuse the Boss like that.........but then again I don't street race anymore either....LE please take note........................

 

[302BOB]

Just to bring you up to speed in more ways than one.....My first car was a Graduation present from my Parents....A 1969 Toyota Corolla in 1973...that was also a 4 spd...the rest is history.........BTW....the Toyota had a 1100cc engine....it sounded like my Mother's sewing machine.......................WHERE THAT 442?????????????

 

[stevbd]

The loan a tool program at Advance Auto comes in handy for items that are used occasionally. I prefer to purchase tools that are used often. Brakes on a track car are one of those things that constantly need attention. Having your own set of brake tools saves a lot of time in trips to the auto parts store. I also carry my set to the track every time I go. I don't use it myself at the track very often but about half the time someone needs it.

@EF1 totally agree with you, I was unaware of that brake tool kit. I'm buying one today. Stupid me, I've borrowed this set more times than I can remember. Thanks for posting it up.

 

[Dave_W]

This is the set I have.

Sunex 3930 Sunex Tools Brake Caliper Service Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Sunex Tools Brake Caliper Service Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Brake Caliper Tools at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

The house brand is even cheaper.

Summit Racing SUM-900408 Summit Racing™ Brake Caliper Service Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Summit Racing™ Brake Caliper Service Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Brake Caliper Tools at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

One thing to watch out for - some of the less expensive kits (Harbor Freight) don't include both RH & LH thread winders. Even if the Mustang doesn't need both (I think it only needs "standard" RH), you might as well ensure you get both so you're not stuck when working on another car that does.

 

[EF1]

The Sunmitt branded kit wasn’t available when I bought mine close to 10 years ago. There stuff is usually good and I would probably have bought it if it was.

 

[EF1]

Hi Guys, I have pulled the trigger on a 2pc rotor setup for the 14" Brembo setup. Got an industry friendly deal on DBA 2pc front rotors and stock GT size rear rotors (DBA doesn't offer GT500 rear rotors)... still waiting for delivery though.

Since I'll be doing this I'm half tempted to set the GT size rear rotors on the shelf and buy some GT500's off RockAuto and the Bear adaptor kit.

My parts are really stacking up. I have the MM bump steer kit I need to do and thankfully I haven't done it yet as I read about Steeda's X11 extended stud ball joints on Billy Johnson's build. So those are also sitting on the shelf. The ACT Twin Disc Clutch is on the garage shelf too along with a braided stainless-steel line and separate reservoir. The list goes on...

I'm thinking hard about Canton's road race oil pan and if I'm that far in I'll replace the motor mounts for solid ones along with the oil lines across the back of the cylinder head. Geeze I could just keep typing of items.

Hoping to post some updates soon! Thanks guys, I appreciate it, and @blacksheep-1 I have watched your Super Beater thread from day one, great build! Maybe all of us in the Southeast can meet up at Barber or Atlanta, or some other central track for a HPDE day next year.

DBA offers the GT500 size rear rotors in the one piece 4000 series, but not the 2 piece. The slot pattern matches so they look good, but don't have the aluminum center section. Their 2 piece rotors are not floating like a Girodisc, so they do not center. They act more like a one piece design, but he aluminum hat is lighter and helps dissipate heat. I ran them on the 4 piston Brembos up front with the one piece GT500 rotors on the rear. They worked well and lasted quite awhile using GLoc pads. I went to Girodiscs with the 6 piston Brembo set up due to availability at the time.

 

[misterpeanut]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'll get a tool set for sure. EF1 that is so good to know and frustrating at the same time. I asked the distributor if they offered rear rotors for the GT500 and they said they didn't. Oh well. I will run this until I switch to a 6 piston setup later on in a few years.

 

[TMSBOSS]

These suck and aren’t worth the money:
View attachment 90901

These are worth every penny:

View attachment 90902
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SER41540

The right tool along with a solid techniques makes the job fairly easy. Mount the caliper back on the car without rotor and pads, then use the tool. 2-3 minutes max per side.

 

[misterpeanut]

What do you guys prefer for a piston compressor on the front Brembo calipers. Lisle's tool?