With the wheel removed, you...
With the wheel removed, you can see the Bullitt's stock front braking system-dual-piston 43mm floating calipers and a vented 12.4-inch rotor. In addition, the Bullitt features slightly more aggressive front brake pads, designed to better resist heat than on GTs, providing slightly improved clamping force. Equipped with these, a Mustang can stop just shy of 120 feet from 60 mph.
Tech | Rotor Upgrade
For the last two decades, when it comes to upgrades on our late-model Mustangs, the byword has been more power and acceleration. From bolting on a throttle body to installing a complete turbo kit, the goal has been better performance. But let's be honest. How many of us have thought about making the darned car stop as well as it goes? If we're being honest with ourselves, not a great deal. Granted, things have come a long way since the '60s, when four-wheel drum brakes were the norm, but having a decent set of anchors will give tremendous peace of mind-especially when you have to stop suddenly, which on today's streets seems to be a regular occurrence. The S197 Mustang is without a doubt one of the best bang-for-the-buck performance cars ever built. It's a great all-arounder and is blessed with some of the strongest brakes ever seen on a ponycar. But as good as they are, once you start adding more power to the engine, it becomes more difficult for the brakes to do their job effectively. If you have invested the time and effort installing a supercharger, then it's worth having a look at the brakes. The best part with these new Mustangs is that simple, effective anchor upgrades are available and they needn't cost your life savings. Another great aspect is you can do the job in a single afternoon.
This '08 Bullitt has been fortified with a Vortech V1 supercharger and Power Cooler. A few days and an SCT tune later, the car peaked at 505 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. However, with the newfound power came the responsibility of giving the Bullitt a bit of extra help in the whoa department. The solution was to invest in a set of rotors. Keep in mind that the car is primarily street-driven and that the owner wanted to retain the factory wheels, which meant something that would work within the wheels and retain the stock calipers. Enter Baer's Decelarotors. This is the company's direct-replacement rotors, which are available for a wide range of vehicles, including '05-'09 Mustangs. For our install on the Bullitt, we got our hands on Baer's 13-inch front and 12-inch rear units. The Decelarotors come as a pair, front or rear, so make sure you order both sets if doing all four corners. They retail for approximately $210 per set.
At the back, the Bullitt features...
At the back, the Bullitt features 11.8-inch vented discs gripped by single-piston calipers. They're good, but our replacement rotors should work just a little bit better.
For our project, we started...
For our project, we started at the front. Using an impact gun, a 15mm socket, and an extension, the front caliper bolts were removed. Don't let the caliper hang by its brake hose during the upgrade. Use a bungee cord, a coat hanger, or a length of scrap wiring to temporarily secure the caliper out of the way.
Here you can see the cross...
Here you can see the cross section of the stock rotor (right) and the new Baer Decelarotor (left). The Baer unit features slightly larger (and thicker) vents that are designed to improve cooling of the rotors under hard braking.
Before installing our new...
Before installing our new rotors, and because we live in the Rust Belt, we take the opportunity to apply antiseize compound to the studs and wheel hubs. This is cheap insurance, as it will help prevent rust buildup and seizing, which will make changing the rotors or removing the tires much easier down the road.
Because the car had low miles...
Because the car had low miles and nearly brand-new pads, we decided to stick with the originals, especially in view of the fact that the Bullitt already has fairly aggressive front clampers by factory standards. Also, the Decelarotor fits right in place of the stock unit because it's a direct OE replacement. If you haven't done so before attaching the rotor, it can be a good idea to paint the calipers for improved looks. Our Bullitt owner had already done this.
On the face side of the Decelarotor,...
On the face side of the Decelarotor, the surface is slotted and features counter-rotational, cross-drilled holes. Taken directly from Baer's experience in motorsport, the holes and slots further improve cooling and dissipate gas discharged from the pads across the entire surface of the rotor. Baer even backs the Decelarotors with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty against warpage and cracking.
Having repeated the process...
Having repeated the process on the other front rotor, it's time to tackle the rear. In order to remove the rear calipers, you'll need a 13mm socket to remove the caliper bolts, which are smaller than the front.
Once the bolts are out of...
Once the bolts are out of the way, move the caliper aside and pull off the rotor. Again, don't forget to secure the caliper while performing the rotor upgrade.
Having brushed some antiseize...
Having brushed some antiseize compound on the rear hubs and studs, it's time to install the new disc. With the rotor in place, it's time to reinstall the rear caliper.
Now that all the replacement...
Now that all the replacement rotors are in place, we can reattach the factory wheels and put the car back on terra firma.