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11" brake conversion experiences

After I swapped the Sport's front brakes from the 10" to the 11 inchers, the car was very twitchy, and seemed like it was scrubbing the tires.

(I DO know that on CoolCats article, it says to align the car...)

Well, the tires were severely toed-in after all was said and done, so last night I pulled the passenger side apart, and threaded out the outer tie-rod end about 6 turns, got it fit to drive again.

I know it'll need an alignment, but I plan on maybe driving it 50 feet or less at a time until I get new struts and shocks, THEN it'll get aligned.

This is just a head's-up for anyone who might be considering it...you may have to play with the tie rods to get it fit to drive to an alignment shop...

Unless I'm just the one in a million case lol:D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #1
So how did you go about upgrading to 11"? Did you 5-Lug it? Or put on TC spindles?

I know Eric's site does much for outlining the procedure, but I would like to hear it firsthand.  Thanks!
1983 Tbird with '03 Split Port V6 motor swap done! Headers, dual exhaust, 500CFM Edelbrock, 3G upgrade, Electric fan. 3.73 Gears and an FRPP Limited Slip. Five lug complete! 5-Speed conversion complete! Standalone Fuel Injection in progress...

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #2
I'm still 4 lug for now, but yeah, I did use TC spindles, Stang calipers, new brake hoses.

I plan to go to 5 lug over the winter, or at least get the stuff to do that with, as well as new struts, shocks, and springs.

The hardest part of it all was getting the brake hoses right...I didn't want the rubber hose portions kinked when steering was at full lock, the fittings themselves were not so bad, just had to use a good penetrating oil and vice-grips judiciously lol

Oh, and by the way, it's a "well-worth-it" swap...if you've got a V8, or even a modded v6, it's a must have. For that matter, it's needed anyway...10" brakes blow goats lol
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #3
Just found this thread.  Does anyone know if this set up will work with the PBR dual piston calipers.

Will 11" TC rotors fit under the turbines?

 

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #4
Quote from: xjeffs;313102

Will 11" TC rotors fit under the turbines?


I did the 11" upgrade on a stang, turbines fit fine over them.:burnout:
Mike

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #5
I had the same issue when I switched to 11" 4 lug. I think it was expected IIRC - not sure what I was reading that told me that though. I did a 'tape measure' toe-in adjustment from underneath that has served me just fine.
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #6
Quote from: xjeffs;313102
Just found this thread.  Does anyone know if this set up will work with the PBR dual piston calipers.

Will 11" TC rotors fit under the turbines?


Yeah, the later castings will fit, I think they have a date stamp, it *might* be E7, but I can't say for sure. I read it somewhere once, maybe CoolCats...but as mcb82gt stated about his, my turbines fit on mine, as well :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #7
Thanks for the commments guys.

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #8
Jeff, I saw your question about the PBR calipers, I'm not sure if they'll work with the TC-V8 Stang spindles, but I'm sure ChuckW could give you a definite answer, I think he's used them before. :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #9
I used fox mustang spindles for my conversion and yes, it was seriously toed in when I was done.  I adjusted it as much as possible and then loaded it on a trailer and hauled it to a shop to get the alignment done.
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #10
Are you referring to the dual piston (44mm) PBR's off the 99 and up V6/GT Mustangs?  I know they will work on the five lug conversions with the 94-95 & 96-98 Mustang spindles.  You have to clearance the spindles just a tad on the top side of the spindle above each "ear" the caliper bolts to.  I did this on my 93 coupe and the brakes were awesome.  If you are talking about using these calipers on the 11" Fox rotors and Fox spindles I have no idea if they will work.  I am thinking not as the SN95 rotors are 11.75" in diameter but I have not tried.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #11
Is this swap a direct TC spindle, rotor and caliper swap??  I have a TC front end for parts on my Sport Coupe.  Already did the TC rear swap and have been seriously considering the front brake swap.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #12
Quote from: Dan B.;314716
Is this swap a direct TC spindle, rotor and caliper swap??  I have a TC front end for parts on my Sport Coupe.  Already did the TC rear swap and have been seriously considering the front brake swap.

Yes. You may need adapters for the rubber lines though.:D
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #13
Are there any sources for braided SS lines??  And by "adapters" do you mean just some threaded fittings to make the lines Sport Coupe lines mate to the TC calipers (or TC lines to the SC hardline)?
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

11" brake conversion experiences

Reply #14
Quote from: dan b.;314788
threaded fittings to make  tc lines to the sc hardline
:d
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo