Traced article on "trackmustangonline.com". Interesting thread on potential front brake upgrade for S197/GT500 (07). Part#'s. rotors of 2014 GT550 15"- DR3Z-1125-A, Caliper's of 2017+GT350R - six piston Brembos-FR3Z-2B120-G and FR3Z-2B121-F, and supporting hardware retainer clips, hoses, pads etc. Anyone try this? Says calipers will bolt to existing bracket of 07 GT500. Could do this for about $1400. Now pushing about 620rwhp and on this heavy car an upgrade of this scale would be welcome. Tob got any thoughts
Huge brake upgrade for S197 chassis
- Thread starter hunters2019
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Most people on SVTP upgrade to the 13/14 setup if at all, you'll find more info regarding this on TMO.
Anyways, I've researched this extensively and the S550 upgrade is a really good upgrade. You'll increase stopping power but you might get a slightly longer pedal. You can go even crazier and get the GT350 setup, full kit on FTBR. If you are upgrading to any of these I recommend upgrading the rear to the 13/14 setup to keep the car balanced.
One last thing, you don't need them. Unless you are taking your car to HPDE events or road racing, the stock brakes are more than enough. The benefit of those upgrades is so they last longer without overheating, stopping power doesn't really matter because you are limited by the tires and the stock brakes can lock up the tires with ease.
Anyways, I've researched this extensively and the S550 upgrade is a really good upgrade. You'll increase stopping power but you might get a slightly longer pedal. You can go even crazier and get the GT350 setup, full kit on FTBR. If you are upgrading to any of these I recommend upgrading the rear to the 13/14 setup to keep the car balanced.
One last thing, you don't need them. Unless you are taking your car to HPDE events or road racing, the stock brakes are more than enough. The benefit of those upgrades is so they last longer without overheating, stopping power doesn't really matter because you are limited by the tires and the stock brakes can lock up the tires with ease.
I have done 6-7 track/autocross events on stock rotors with upgraded pads, and had one event where I reached brake fade and overheated the fluid (track temp was 115~. I switched to R1 concepts rotors and pads (not that I am promoting them) because I wanted an economical upgrade and have 600 degree brake fluid. The last track event I did was Charlotte, and I could stand on the brakes and had no issue all day. Build your car for what you need your car to do for you!
OP I think your getting some of the info a little mixed up, brake upgrade options are.
* 13-14 GT500 15" rotors with 13-14 GT500 6 piston calipers. This will bolt to current spindles.
* 13-14 GT500 15" rotors with S550 6 piston calipers (these are different from 13-14 GT500 6 piston calipers). This will bolt to current spindles but the S550 calipers does increase the pedal travel distance a little, due to difference in master cylinder between S197 and S550. Some don't find this to be an issue and some don't like it and switch back, its a user preference really.
* Full Tilt Boogie Racing GT350 conversion kit for S197 chassis, 15.5" rotors and GT350 6 piston calipers (these are different from 13-14 GT500 6 piston calipers and S550 6 piston calipers). Kit includes adapters to allow GT350 calipers to be able to bolt to S197 spindles. Also front wheel diameter and offsets will come into play to ensure the calipers have clearance.
Unless you have upgraded to wider and stickier front tires, factory 14" 4 piston brakes have more than enough clamping force to exceed the front tire traction. Granted with pad upgrades.
Unless using aluminum hat 2-piece/floating rotor the weight penalty of 15"+ rotors isn't worth it, 15" floating rotor sets start at $1000.
Need to balance front and rear braking forces so upgrading to 14" rear rotors is a must.
While 15"+ 6 piston calipers look freaking bad ass, no question about it. They really only help in racing applications and thermal management, on a street car they won't make you stop any quicker.
When it comes to the GT350 brake conversion kit i'm actually wondering if this is to much braking force for the factory S197 brake bias and if an adjustable proportioning valve would need to be installed to balance the car out. For the record I have not data to support this thought so I could be 100% wrong on this. Maybe FTBR has some data on this one way or another.
* 13-14 GT500 15" rotors with 13-14 GT500 6 piston calipers. This will bolt to current spindles.
* 13-14 GT500 15" rotors with S550 6 piston calipers (these are different from 13-14 GT500 6 piston calipers). This will bolt to current spindles but the S550 calipers does increase the pedal travel distance a little, due to difference in master cylinder between S197 and S550. Some don't find this to be an issue and some don't like it and switch back, its a user preference really.
* Full Tilt Boogie Racing GT350 conversion kit for S197 chassis, 15.5" rotors and GT350 6 piston calipers (these are different from 13-14 GT500 6 piston calipers and S550 6 piston calipers). Kit includes adapters to allow GT350 calipers to be able to bolt to S197 spindles. Also front wheel diameter and offsets will come into play to ensure the calipers have clearance.
Unless you have upgraded to wider and stickier front tires, factory 14" 4 piston brakes have more than enough clamping force to exceed the front tire traction. Granted with pad upgrades.
Unless using aluminum hat 2-piece/floating rotor the weight penalty of 15"+ rotors isn't worth it, 15" floating rotor sets start at $1000.
Need to balance front and rear braking forces so upgrading to 14" rear rotors is a must.
While 15"+ 6 piston calipers look freaking bad ass, no question about it. They really only help in racing applications and thermal management, on a street car they won't make you stop any quicker.
When it comes to the GT350 brake conversion kit i'm actually wondering if this is to much braking force for the factory S197 brake bias and if an adjustable proportioning valve would need to be installed to balance the car out. For the record I have not data to support this thought so I could be 100% wrong on this. Maybe FTBR has some data on this one way or another.
I was also considering upgrading to S550 6 pots but with a 2pc floating 15”rotors. This is a cost effective way to get 6 piston for sure
I did the swap. Front and rear cost me less than $1400... Cant remember but I think it was under $1000. I had a hook up powder coating tho...
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Looks good
I'm a big fan of Bruce's hardware and if it were me I'd inquire at FTBR and consider the GT350 brake pieces. Short of a full on aftermarket caliper/rotor it really doesn't get much better than that with factory parts - if you can honestly use that much brake.
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