Here's the complete Vintage...
Here's the complete Vintage Venom conversion kit for all four wheels. At the bottom of the photo is a set of front caliper-mounting brackets. In the center row are the four wheel-spacer plates to provide the desired offset for the late-model wheels on the early car. Along the top are the rear caliper-mounting brackets, attachment hardware, and the extra length replacement wheel studs from ARP are also shown. If your car already has front disc brakes and you'd like to upgrade the rear axle only, the rear kit is available for $198 and $9.95 shipping. Also note the wheel spacers can be purchased separately as well if you're simply looking to add late-model wheels at this time.
Brake Upgrade
Ask any gathering of classic Ford enthusiasts what's the first upgrade they'd do on their project. They're liable to tell you that a disc brake conversion is at or near the top of the list. Front disc brakes are a huge improvement all by themselves, but a four-wheel disc arrangement is even better. From a standpoint of safety, and also protecting your investment, a disc brake conversion belongs high on the priority list of almost any high-performance classic Ford project. It's no secret that these conversions are possible with the many offerings out there, but they can add up quickly in cost. Now the folks at Vintage Venom offer a brilliant cost cutting solution to the problem because they offer a complete kit that allows you to install SN-95 Cobra or Bullitt four-wheel disc brakes onto your classic Mustang. The 13-inch front rotors require a 17-inch wheel and the Vintage Venom kit includes everything you need to install 17-inch Bullitt, Cobra, or Mach 1 wheels onto your vintage car, including the required longer wheel studs and spacer plates. The complete kit costs just $583 including shipping and handling.
Front Disc Conversion
This...
Front Disc Conversion
This photo shows our used SN-95 Cobra front disc brakes after we had a chance to clean them up. You can score these from any '94-'04 SVT Cobra Mustang. The calipers were cleaned with brake cleaner and equipped with new pads. The rotors were turned to present a fresh surface to the new pads and the rotor centers dressed with Metal Mask. Also shown are the original drum brake front hubs, which were removed earlier from the OE drums. The old wheel studs were discarded and the hubs blasted clean and painted with Metal Mask.
We've seen complete sets of Cobra or Bullitt four-wheel disc-brake hardware on eBay and Craigslist for between three and five hundred dollars. The wheels are also commonly available used starting at around $200 depending on the presence or condition of tires. What this all means is that you can install a four-wheel disc brake set up on your classic Mustang for a little more than $1,000 instead of more than $2,000 and up.
Get the used rotors machined and install new pads into the calipers and you should be in business. More good news is the fact that if you don't want to fuss around with finding used rotors and calipers Vintage Venom now offers the conversion kit complete with brand-new Bullitt calipers and rotors. The cost of the all-inclusive kit is $1,557 plus $90 shipping and handling.
Here's the Cobra rear axle...
Here's the Cobra rear axle brake hardware before cleanup. Like the front equipment, the rotors will be turned and the brake pads replaced. Also in our inventory of used equipment acquired for this project is a set of 17-inch Bullitt Mustang wheels. In front they are sized at 17x8 and shod with Kumho P255/45R17 tires. The rear wheels are aftermarket 17x9s with P285/40R17 Kumho tires. The spacers included with the kit will situate the wheel and tire assembly perfectly with the classic Mustang wheelhouse.
While the installation of the Vintage Venom kit is straightforward, you'll need to be prepared to create some new brake lines, modify parking brake connections, and be able to cut off and press on new bearings. Our project included the installation of a new '94 Cobra master cylinder, which we found locally for $79.95. You'll need to purchase new wheel bearings and seals for both rear axles and several new hard and flexible brake lines.
Vintage Venom has a very informative website to help guide you through the installation process with more than 60 pages of photographs and instructions. Follow along with the crew at KR Performance & Restorations (KRP&R) as we show you the highlights of a Vintage Venom four-wheel disc brake installation on a '68 Mustang coupe it has been preparing for some auto crossing. KRP&R was able to use calipers and rotors from one of its late-model parts cars as well as a set of '01 Bullitt Mustang wheels, keeping costs super-low.
With a little effort you too can find the calipers and rotors required for bargain basement prices from late-model owners who have upgraded, and if the wallet allows it, these parts are also available new from several OE and aftermarket sources.
We've already removed the...
We've already removed the stock drum brakes and pressed the hub out of the drum assembly. Any decent shop manual will help you get your old brake hardware off the car in no time. Once you've pressed out the hub you will have to press the stock studs out as well and enlarge the stud holes. Here the holes for the wheel studs are enlarged to receive the new ARP studs. The diameter of the new stud is 0.625-inch while the holes checked out at 0.605-inch. Carefully enlarge the holes to the desired size using a die grinder and cutting stone. Work on the holes from both sides to create a uniform and untapered enlargement.
Here we see the Vintage Venom...
Here we see the Vintage Venom front caliper adapter plate in place on the bare spindle. The fasteners are furnished and include nylon lock nuts, eliminating the need for split lock washers. The bracket is clearly marked for left and right side so be sure to not get them reversed during installation.
Once the original drum hubs...
Once the original drum hubs have been modified per the instructions, press the longer ARP studs into position in the hub, being certain to seat them fully against the hub flange. If you do not have a press to do this properly it is strongly suggested you take the hubs and studs to your favorite machine shop or well-stocked auto parts store for assembly.
You will reinstall the OE...
You will reinstall the OE hub onto the spindle (as if you were reinstalling the drum) with the new, longer studs in place. Now would be a great time to install new wheel bearings, races, and fresh disc brake spec bearing grease, so be sure to inspect all of the reused hardware and replace as necessary. At the very least, repack your bearings with the proper disc brake grease. A few bucks here now will prevent failures down the road.
Install the rotor onto the...
Install the rotor onto the studs over the spacer plate and secure it with lug nuts tightened to 90 ft-lbs. Now is the time to check the rotor for runout. Use a dial indicator as shown here. Ours checked out at less than 0.005-inch on each side so we were good to go. If the runout is excessive it can sometimes be adjusted by rotating the spacer and rotor to a different position. Mark the rotor and spacer with a punch or a dab of paint to keep them indexed during future servicing.
The supplied spacer is used...
The supplied spacer is used to fit the stock SN-95 wheels in their proper location within the wheelwell. If you plan to use custom-fit/offset wheels, discuss your options with the folks at Vintage Venom to determine if you need to use these spacers or not. Apply a very light coat of anti-seize compound to the spacer before installing.