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4/20/2017 12:06 PM  #1


2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

I am going to do a brake conversion using the '05 Mustang GT front and rear calipers also, but I would like to find out the piston diameters so I can properly calculate what master cylinder I will need to run manual brakes. Thanks in advance!

 

5/04/2017 6:31 AM  #2


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

My install is the GT2008-FT-MII kit on a 1974 Pinto using Bullitt wheels.  I have all the components to try both the 12.5" and 13.2" brakes and I have several thicknesses of spacers to try.  

     Thread Starter
 

5/04/2017 8:10 PM  #3


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

Use a 1" bore mc. Be sure you have the correct pedal ratio for manual brakes, usually around 6:1.
Most cars originally having power brakes have too little pedal leverage to operate manual brakes.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

5/05/2017 4:53 AM  #4


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

The pedal is 10" from pivot to center of the pedal and the mc pushrod is 1.810 center to center of the pivot which gives it about a 5.5 ratio. I have a '94/'95 Mustang Cobra mc with a 15/16 bore that I was  considering using because the stock pinto mc has a 15/16 bore and the stock single piston calipers actually have more area than the combined area of the dual piston mustang calipers. With this logic, wouldn't going up to a 1" give a firmer pedal that requires a little more effort? The pinto caliper piston is 2.6" which gives 5.31 sq-in area and the mustang pistons are 1.68" which  give 2.22 each x2=4.44 sq-in area per caliper.  Please correct me if I'm wrong, because since my pedal is shorter than the mustang pedal (12") I don't want any firmer than I really need.  Thanks again!!!

     Thread Starter
 

5/05/2017 6:22 AM  #5


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

You can also use the 15/16" mc but stroke will be longer. It will result in less leg effort. Since you already own it, give it a try for sure.

Comparing piston diameters on two rotors having different diameters is not apples/apples comparison. The larger rotor requires less pressure to provide same stopping force due to longer "lever arm" than smaller rotor.
For example, if you took the original Pinto caliper and mounted it to a larger rotor, it would still exert the same amount of clamping force as original but would give a whole lot better braking performance.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

5/05/2017 8:24 AM  #6


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

Absolutely, I totally understand the leverage. That's why the caliper is the same for multiple years of late model mustangs, but the rotors are larger diameter on GT models for increased braking.  Heck, I'm going from a 9" rotor to either a 12.44 or 13.2 depending on which fits in the wheel.  The stock wheel diameter is equal to the new rotor diameter,   Thanks again Steve!

     Thread Starter
 

5/06/2017 4:14 PM  #7


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

Nice looking car. Sure don't see many Pintos around any more.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

5/08/2017 5:47 AM  #8


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

Thank you. I've got plans for it, but time is the most valuable commodity. I am looking forward to the front brake upgrade! It's already got a one side narrowed explorer rear end in it. I'm just debating on using the explorer solid discs or the '05 up mustang vented rear brakes (e-brakes hook up much easier). I believe the only thing I'd have to do to get the mustang brakes to work on the explorer rear is to bore the rotors .020 or turn the step back on the axle.  The explorer axle has the standard 2.780 wheel locating diameter, but it steps up to 2.800 for the rotor locating diameter. They both use the same 2.5 spacing and the same backing plate pattern. 

     Thread Starter
 

5/08/2017 4:37 PM  #9


Re: 2005 Mustang GT front and rear caliper piston diameters

I would machine the axle so an unmodified rotor will slip right on.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

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