Upgraded to GT350 front brakes on my 2011 Gt

sur_real1

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So, I don't know how many people have done this, but it's a borderline affordable way to get amazing front brakes on the front of our cars. However, for me, it was a pretty good deal.

Before I upgraded, I was running the 4 piston Brembos, stainless lines and stoptech z23 brake pads. The car stopped alright but I really wanted more so I decided to be an odd duck and adapt a set of low mile GT350 brakes to my 2011. As it turns out FTBR makes a kit to do this.

You would these need for the conversion:
http://www.fulltiltboogieracing.com/images/FT_9755B-S197_GT35_brake_conversion_bracket.jpg
http://www.fulltiltboogieracing.com/images/FT_9755D-Brake _lines_for S197_GT350_brake_conversion.jpg

And of course the Ford rotors, pads, pad retaining clips, calipers and caliper bolts.

After the install, I took the car out for a spin to bed in the brakes and get a feel for the new setup. One thing I really enjoy about these GT350 brakes is the pedal feel is actually better than when I had the 4 pistons on the front. One thing I am hoping for though is that FTBR finishes their R&D to mount the GT350 rear calipers and rotors on the back of my 2011 as I now have a set of rear GT350 calipers sitting on my garage floor. I think that would really round out the setup nicely and my current rears look so sad. Heck, it doesn't even look like I have rear brakes compared to the front, lol.

Here are some links to my OneDrive:
20190427_190332.jpg
20190427_190326.jpg
20190427_190319.jpg
 

KBBoss302

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Wow I had no idea that was even a possibility! That is super damned cool.

Do any other cars use GT350 size pads? I know that a couple of years ago one of the issues with the 2015+ GT 6 piston calipers was a lack of good pad options but I haven't done any research on the bigger 350 pad compatibility.
 

sur_real1

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I'm not sure. I think there are maybe 3 options for pads and maybe around the same amount of options for rotors for now. However, the stopping power is greatly improved, even with using just the OEM equipment. I never realized how good the GT350 brakes were.
 

KBBoss302

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That is awesome! The last thing I need to do is spend more money on my Boss 302 but better braking is always a good upgrade. I see this upgrade in my future!

FYI looks like there are some good aftermarket pad options.

KNS Brakes
 

CobraBob

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The new fronts look great! I see what you mean that by comparison the rear looks like you're missing brakes. LOL. I hope you can land a kit for the rear GT-350 set.
 

me32

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Looks really really good man. How much did it cost for you to complete the upgrad?
 

sur_real1

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Well, the adapter pieces and bolts cost me a little over $500. I traded my used mono blade throttle body and PMAS intake for the front and rear calipers, however, I think on Tasca, they are around $300 a side. If you buy the rotors, pads and retainer plate from Tasca, you're looking at about $230 a piece on the rotors, $240ish for the pads and $80 for all the retainer plates and pins. So, all in all you'd probably be into it about ~$1700 for the front. I'd say that's a pretty decent deal for the stopping power you get. But definitely a considerable investment in front brakes. I'm super curious to see how much it's going to cost me to get the rear all set up when the adapters become available, or IF they become available. I have concerns around retaining the e-brake, but we will see. I'm in constant communication with FTBR, meaning, I'm bugging them often about it :)
 

me32

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Well, the adapter pieces and bolts cost me a little over $500. I traded my used mono blade throttle body and PMAS intake for the front and rear calipers, however, I think on Tasca, they are around $300 a side. If you buy the rotors, pads and retainer plate from Tasca, you're looking at about $230 a piece on the rotors, $240ish for the pads and $80 for all the retainer plates and pins. So, all in all you'd probably be into it about ~$1700 for the front. I'd say that's a pretty decent deal for the stopping power you get. But definitely a considerable investment in front brakes. I'm super curious to see how much it's going to cost me to get the rear all set up when the adapters become available, or IF they become available. I have concerns around retaining the e-brake, but we will see. I'm in constant communication with FTBR, meaning, I'm bugging them often about it :)

Thank you. Thats what i was wanting to know what the actual cost would be to do the front brakes.
 

KBBoss302

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That is actually very inexpensive for such a massive (and proven) big brake upgrade.

Are the black calipers less expensive that the red? I have black Brembos on my Boss 302 and the red would look kind of strange on my car.
 

OX1

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What would you do for emerg brake? Looks like new GT500
does not use small drum for emerg brake, it uses extra
small mechanical caliper (at least thats what it looks like
in spy shots I've seen).
 

OX1

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Here is the pic I was talking about, not sure when that caliper will be avail.
I assume that it is electric, so you could eliminate the entire cable system too.


2020-shelby-gt500-mustang-race-red-8-jpg.jpg
 

96gt02

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interesting, ive always heard the 6 piston upgrade over the 4 pistons arent worth the added weight for minimal braking increase.
 

sur_real1

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That is actually very inexpensive for such a massive (and proven) big brake upgrade.

Are the black calipers less expensive that the red? I have black Brembos on my Boss 302 and the red would look kind of strange on my car.

Not sure on color. I am just using factory GT350 brake components.

What would you do for emerg brake? Looks like new GT500
does not use small drum for emerg brake, it uses extra
small mechanical caliper (at least thats what it looks like
in spy shots I've seen).

Well, the GT350 has a different E-brake system than the GT500. I believe that the GT350 is still cable driven, however, it uses a similar system to the corvette with an inward drum brake style setup. I don't plan on using the GT500 rears. With all that being said, FTBR says that they are testing an adapter setup that works with the GT350 calipers and the rear end of the S197. I'll keep people posted.

interesting, ive always heard the 6 piston upgrade over the 4 pistons arent worth the added weight for minimal braking increase.

Well, I'm not sure. I do know that the GT350 calipers are quite a bit larger than the non-GT350 6 piston calipers. Of course, the internals, the size and type of pads along with the rotor configuration matters as well. I did not compare the GT350 setup with the 6 piston GT500 setup from the past, so I can't comment. However, the brake pedal feel is GREATLY improved over my 4 pistons and the stopping power is NIGHT and DAY. Maybe your mileage may vary? So far, I'm a happy camper.
 

sur_real1

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Any updates, OP? I am contemplating doing the 350 brakes on my Boss 302.
What kind of updates are you looking for? I did chase some Porsche's through the mountains and the brakes performed flawlessly. I am still VERY happy going to the GT350 brakes over the 4 piston brembos.
 

KBBoss302

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Excellent! Was just curious if you had anything new to report. How would you describe the brake pedal feel - firm? Or is there any slack in the pedal?
 

sur_real1

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Well, the pedal feel is great. At least it feels great to me. Definitely feels better than when it had the 4 piston brembos. I guess maybe the only thing to report would be, FTBR gave up on building an adapter kit to mount the gt350 4 pistons to the S197 8.8. They didn't feel comfortable with the amount of pad knock back that happened on a track. So, that's a bummer as I still have a set of 4 pistons off of a gt350 sitting in my garage :(
 

KBBoss302

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I had heard that somewhere else about the rear 350 brakes not being compatible so I am sorry you won't be able to do that conversion, too.

Glad to hear the pedal feel is good. I have stainless lines, RBF600 fluid, and Ferodo 2500 pads on my Boss and the braking feel and power are overall very, very good. But . . . more brakes is more brakes! I have a lead on some used 350R front brakes so may bite the bullet because I also have some new wheels with tons of clearance. Thank you for your feedback, sur_real1!
 

sur_real1

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I think you'd enjoy having the GT350 brakes. You will definitely need a lot more tire though. My 4 pistons would not lock up my front tires, but the 6 pistons will :)
 

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