Upgrade Performance Slotted & Cross Drilled Rotors & Brakes | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models

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Upgrade Performance Slotted & Cross Drilled Rotors & Brakes

Badbird

Badbird

Click here to upgrade
Reaction score
15
Thunderbird Year
2003
I have been wondering about slotted rotors and upgraded (Brembo) or similar calipers. Has anyone done this, and if so how much improvement was noted? It seems to me that the stock brakes are not very good especially in emergency stopping at speeds over 50 mph or when driving in stop and go traffic. Does the price of conversion justify the costs? Thanks for any replies.

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Badbird said:
I have been wondering about slotted rotors and upgraded (Brembo) or similar calipers. Has anyone done this, and if so how much improvement was noted? It seems to me that the stock brakes are not very good especially in emergency stopping at speeds over 50 mph or when driving in stop and go traffic. Does the price of conversion justify the costs? Thanks for any replies.
Click to expand...

These rotors have the best reviews on Amazon and an amazing price! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INEF3SY/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20
rotors2.jpg
Here are some cool looking Ford Thunderbird performance calipers-
Front- http://amzn.to/2gpm046
Rear- http://amzn.to/2g0MIDg
calipers.jpg

Also, anybody tried this caliper damper?
damper2.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Brembo made a "Big Brake" option for Jaguar S-Type R cars that should bolt-on. Parking brake may take some fabrication or swap for Jaguar hubs. Caliper clearance may be an issue for 17 inch Ford wheels but Jaguar 18" and 19" will fit. I run drilled/slotted discs as well. EBC Red Stuff ceramic pads work very well with relatively little brake dust. Motul 600 brake fluid and stainless steel braided Teflon brake lines work well together. I work brakes on my car on track days.
 
48948d1374526983-sale-jaguar-xjr-r1-brembo-calipers-brakes%3B-fit-xjr-xj8-xkr-xk8-brks.jpg
 
Ordering and (hopefully) upgrading the front brakes on our 2004. The rotors and pads are now:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INEF3SY/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

and a question to the forum, please: do the red calipers decrease stopping distance? What I've read so far just reveals that these are rebuilt and painted - not that they offer any performance advantage from stock (except for a "performance" name. Even their video says "upgrade the looks"). Not doing the Shaguar upgrade above, but interesting..
 
The red calipers are powder coated originals so will provide no difference in performance. They cost a lot more than just rebuilt calipers.

But I still want the look, so ordered rebuilt and will paint them myself with high heat primer, engine paint, and clear at a much cheaper price. . Since my car is 18 years old, I'm going thru the system and upgrading to new or rebuilt to get the old seals and hoses out of the brake system. I've decided to stick with good quality pads and oem style disks as I do not do much performance driving where I would need more than OEM braking Calipers.jpgperformance.

Maybe its just me but I see no provision for the parking brake in the Jag performance brake picture above.

See pic for a "in progress" look at my calipers in primer with one in first coat Red.

I ordered brake hoses off Rock Auto.

Regards

Mark
 
Idaho Highboy said:
Ordering and (hopefully) upgrading the front brakes on our 2004. The rotors and pads are now:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INEF3SY/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

and a question to the forum, please: do the red calipers decrease stopping distance? What I've read so far just reveals that these are rebuilt and painted - not that they offer any performance advantage from stock (except for a "performance" name. Even their video says "upgrade the looks"). Not doing the Shaguar upgrade above, but interesting..
Click to expand...

Anything painted red will add at least 20 horsepower and decrease stopping by at least 30'.... 😉
 
I see the jag calipers still only have 2 pistons
id measure the caliper pistons before I spent any more money on them
 
Badbird said:
I have been wondering about slotted rotors and upgraded (Brembo) or similar calipers. Has anyone done this, and if so how much improvement was noted? It seems to me that the stock brakes are not very good especially in emergency stopping at speeds over 50 mph or when driving in stop and go traffic. Does the price of conversion justify the costs? Thanks for any replies.
Click to expand...
I figure stock OEM is good and given the low rear, do I really want to stop shorter in traffic. I have researched Duplicolor brake paint kits, but decided loctite rust remover and rust oleum hi heat paint will accomplish same. Plus edc OEM shoes come in red. My rear brakes are almost due at 40,000, so I’m going to try it then. Unlike some 80s model ts these 4 discs are plenty. Imo
 
I had bought VHT Caliper paint good to 900 degrees. I can't remember what store I bought it from but I am sure most any auto parts store will carry Caliper paint.
 
Jaguar offers "Big Brake" option for S-Type R supercharged cars front brakes. Brembo 4-piston calipers. Requires 18" wheels for clearance.
 
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