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This is an upgrade kit with the addition of the front FC four lug hubs (4 x 114.3mm wheel bolt/stud pattern), wheel bearings and related hardware which saves the buyer from needing to hunt for these items.

See our other auctions for the base kit if you are interested in accomplishing this upgrade using the five bolt hubs.

This is a quality, reasonably priced kit that allows bolting the second generation (FC) “big” brake setup on the first generation (FB) cars.  It is a reproduction of an assembly that was offered by a company several years ago but is no longer available.  When fitted with the FC ventilated rotors all around and front four piston calipers, the first gen cars gain a terrific measure of braking capability.  This is great for both street cars and indispensable to those that are used in road racing and other types of motorsports.  Material wise and dimensionally it is equal to the original kit, yet improvements were incorporated to the original with regard to the spindle adapter - now hardened in the wheel seal area and hard micro finished.

One of the advantages in using the FC components over aftermarket brake kits is that replacements will always be available.  All of the brake parts utilized are stock - hubs, bearings, seals, etc.  There is no need to worry about finding oddball rotors or other parts down the road.  Changing to the FC hubs is a far safer way to accommodate a more usable wheel/bolt pattern.  Other methods such as spacers should be avoided as they force a dangerous offset loading on the wheel bearings, can loosen easily and often cause tire interference with bodywork.

There are several user determined options with respect to retaining or changing wheel bolt patterns, which can provide for alternative wheel choices.  See the Details section below.


Provided:

The kit includes the following items fabricated and sourced using all new steel components – with the exception of the wheel hubs/bearings which are used but cleaned.

- (2) Front Wheel Hubs (L&R) including Bearings, Hardware and New Seals

- (2) Front Brake Caliper Brackets (L&R)

- (2) Front Spindle Adapters (L&R are common)

- (2) Front Rotor Spacers

- (2) Rear Brake Caliper Brackets (L&R)

- (2) Rear E-Brake Cable Brackets (L&R)

- (2) Rear E-Brake Cable Lever Arms (L&R)

- Front and Rear Metric Grade 10.9 Hardware for Caliper Brackets

 

 Users must furnish:

- Front and Rear second generation FC Brake Rotors

- Front and Rear second generation FC Brake Calipers

- Master Cylinder to suit chassis duty/use.  See more about this in the Notes section below.

- Appropriate Brake Line/Hose Modifications

Components for completing this upgrade may be obtained from any number of sources - aftermarket parts suppliers, salvage yards and specialty parts fabricators, etc.

 

 Prerequisites:

- The FB chassis must have (or be converted to) the 84’ to 85’ components:

Front Spindles and big spline rear axle with rear large style disc brakes.   The kit will not work on drum brake equipped cars.

Note that the earlier chassis (79’ thru and including 83’) had a smaller front outer wheel bearing and the spindle is not compatible with this kit.  Earlier cars may be updated by replacing the strut assemblies with the later units.

 

 Details:

Here are some of the options and guidelines for applying the FC brake conversion kit depending on the particular FB chassis.  There are rare deviations, but this should cover the vast majority of options.  Some users may be running a different rear axle (Ford 8.8”, etc.). 

1984/85 GSL  (12A) Chassis

Converting from the 4 x 110mm to the 4 x 114.3mm wheel bolt/stud pattern:

- Use the adapters along with FC four bolt hubs on the front.

- Obtain a GSL-SE rear axle with the 4 x 114.3mm pattern for the rear.

- Obtain and re-drill the FC 5 x 114.3mm bolt pattern brake rotors to 4 x 114.3mm at both front & rear.

 1984/85 GSL-SE (13B) Chassis

Retaining the 4 x 114.3mm wheel bolt/stud pattern:

- Use the adapters along with FC four bolt hubs on the front.

- Obtain and re-drill the FC 5 x 114.3mm bolt pattern brake rotors to 4 x 114.3mm at both front & rear.

 

Notes:

- In many instances, the stock GSL-SE master cylinder works well with these combinations of rotors and calipers.  Depending upon the user application/duty and chassis setup, a pressure limiting valve can be installed to provide front-to-rear balance adjustments.

- As an alternative to the FC front calipers, the FD (twin turbo 93'-95') front calipers share the same fitment criteria (mounting bolt dims, offset and other characteristics of the FC units and can be used with this kit on the FC rotors.

- Although the factory GSL-SE wheels interfere with the calipers, some 14" wheels will work with this kit.  Generally speaking and without details as to wheel offset and other dimensions, this change requires 15" diameter wheels or larger.

- The FC large brakes (with four piston front calipers and 5 x 114.3mm bolt pattern) was original equipment on the following cars:

  86’-88’ GXLs

  86 ½’-88’ T2s

  87 ½’-88’ Convertible

  86’ & 87' SEs  This model is rather rare as there are no "SE" decals on these cars.

- FC 4 x 114.3mm bolt pattern front hubs were found on the 86’-88’ Base Model (with the “phone dial” 14 inch wheels).

- Moser Engineering supplied custom axles to a manufacturer that previously made a similar brake conversion kit.  Their contact information can be found at the Moserengineering website.

- The four lug hub version of this kit includes a thin (~ 4mm) rotor spacer for proper caliper centering.

- These parts are for use with the 84’ to 85’ struts and rear axle only and are not compatible with the earlier (79’ to 84’) small bearing corners nor old school (Rx-2, 3, 4, Cosmo, REPU) unless the later model struts and/or axle are adapted to the chassis.

- This kit is intended for customers that are familiar with general automotive service and installations, brake systems and related   fabrication work.  No warranty is offered or implied, as the final configuration and duty of these parts are know only to the installer/owner.  If you are not accustomed to working with these type of components, we suggest that you seek professional help when using this kit.


If you have any questions regarding use or availability of this kit, or are looking for another combination of parts, feel free to contact us.

We also have a centering fixture and can re-drill the FC five lug rotors for the 4 x 114.3mm (4 1/2") pattern.

Shipping to the Continental USA only.  We package generously and use only United Parcel Service.