Anyone who has driven a Fox Mustang knows the braking systems on those cars were atrocious. However, the cars were so inexpensive that no one seemed to care, and the more horsepower the better only created more braking issues. With the Mustang SVO and the ’93 Cobra, braking performance was improved, but that performance took a giant leap forward with the ’94-95 Cobra system. Utilizing 13” rotors and PBR calipers, many a Fox Mustang owner has swapped to Cobra binders to improve their braking. With my ’94 Cobra, I wanted even greater braking performance so check what I did after the jump…

With my Cobra sporting excellent brakes as far as Mustangs are concerned there wasn’t much I could do within the Mustang market to improve on what SVT provided. Sure, the aftermarket has answers, but many kits utilize the same PBR calipers my Cobra already boasts. To take my Cobra’s braking into the 21st century, I looked to the aftermarket and Ford Racing to realize my stopping goals.

I started with a Vintage Venom (www.vintagevenom.com)  GT500 brake conversion. This kit adapts 2007-’08 Shelby GT500 brakes to a 1994-’04 SN95/New Edge Mustang. The Vintage Venom kit includes spacers, brackets, and necessary hardware with which to attach GT500 calipers and rotors. The kit doesn’t include the GT500 brakes; those must be sourced from either Ford Racing, or from a wrecked Shelby GT500.

We sourced our brakes from Ford Racing (www.fordracingparts.com) under part number M-2300-S. Even though my ’94 Cobra sported 13” rotors, the GT500 rotors are 14”. Bigger is always better, right! If that’s true, 14” rotors must work better than 13” rotors. That’s not the whole story with this swap, though. The whole story includes the GT500’s massive Brembo 4-piston calipers, which make our factory Cobra calipers jealous with inadequacy. The Brembo calipers not only have 4 pistons clamping down on more surface area thanks to the 14” rotors, but the brake pads themselves also bring with them more surface area, as well.

To finish off everything, and the hardest part of the install, was my choice of wheels. I had to find an S197 offset wheel, and one that would fit GT500 brakes. If you haven’t had to look for this combination let me tell you it was tough. Most of the GT500 wheel options center around 20” designs, which I refuse to put on my car. As intrigued as I am with the Donk look and lifestyle, I’m not going to apply it to my Cobra. I wanted 18” wheels, but getting a wheel that fits the GT500 brakes, and in an S197 offset is harder than buttoning your pants after eating at an Italian buffet. Not impossible, but very difficult. I about pulled my hair out during the search, but American Muscle (www.americanmuscle.com) saved my gray highlights for yet another day with a set of its GT4 wheels. At this time, the GT4 wheels are only available in an 18x9 in an S197 offset. However, I’m told an 18x10 version will be available soon, and when they are, my Cobra will have a pair out back.

Until then, my Cobra will ride out on 18x9s, but it still looks really good, and the brakes are simply awesome. Real Street Performance [(407) 695-0699] in Longwood, FL handled the installation with ease. I barely touch the brakes and they instantly start working to bring the car down from speed. With little pedal effort, my Cobra stops on a dime, and that’s with the stock Cobra master cylinder. Vintage Venom reps say with an SN95 V6 master cylinder, braking will be that much more improved, but that change only applies to 1994-'95 Mustangs like my Cobra. However, I was told the factory master cylinder will work just fine for “regular” street driving and that it does. Stay tuned for the full install in an upcoming issue.