Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I've got a design i'm working on to install Mustang Cobra front brakes onto 1g DSM knuckles.

These will be similar to the RTM racing brackets, but will not require the silly spacers and will be lighter and stronger. Should be quite a bit cheaper as well.

I had an initial prototype 3D printed, working on a second revision which i'm really happy with so far. Final part will be made with Aluminum. You'll need other things to install cobra brakes; brake line, hardware, maybe hub spacer for the rotor (looking to potentially have these made as well)

Please let me know if you're interested so I can get an idea on quantities to manufacture.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I ran these brakes with the RTM kit on my 1G, loved the setup and would definitely recommend it to anyone considering a front brake upgrade. Glad someone local is making the brackets, if I still had a DSM I'd totally purchase a set from you. Good luck with it!

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Thanks! And thank you again for the RTM measurements! It's taken me way too long to get to this project.

These rotors are monsters, 13". And pad selection for the cobra calipers is amazing, way better than DSM or 3/S. Maybe even better than EVO? The rotor selection is nice, the one pictured below is a centric high carbon rotor with E-coated top hats and vanes. The calipers are made of aluminum and overall lighter than DSM iron units.

Here is a picture of my mockup with my inital 3D printed prototype:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...11616289_n.jpg'

I did a ton of custom brake stuff on our chumpcar honda, glad I get to do some stuff with DSMs now.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

How about a set for mounting the VR4 calipers with those rotors? :D

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Sounds similar to the Baer Track kit I ran on my 1G.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

This is nearly identical to the Baer kit, just costs much less and you have more rotor options since its Mustang rotors. Like he mentioned, being Mustang components the selection is huge and very affordable. Also just about any local parts store will have parts in stock on the shelf if in a bind you need a new rotor or pads ASAP. Steve just sell your VR4 parts and run these :)

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Very nice. I like that they drop weight vs DSM stuff.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

The Baer 1G kit also used Cobra rotors & pads. I forget the year range, but the kit instructions told you to buy pads/rotors for a 'XX-'XX Mustang Cobra if you needed replacements. The Baer 2G kit used Corvette rotors.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

The calipers were $50 each for new raybestos units with brackets too (no core charge). Good luck finding DSM/VR4 calipers for that much :D

The pad selection issue is huge for me, as this setup will be used on a couple track cars.

I could conceivably make adapters for all kinds of calipers. This just seemed like the best option and what I wanted to use. I usually just end up making extra stuff and doing the work to offset the cost of the stuff I want.

next project: rear subframe bushings :D

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Interesting and thanks for the info. When I was doing my research I had heard while the calipers are the same, their mounting cradle is just at a slightly different offset, which in turn made the rotors at a slightly different offset, which meant you had to continue to use their rotors. Maybe they changed the design, or maybe it only applied to the 1g or the 2g kit, or maybe the info I read was incorrect (imagine that).

Either way, you end up with a setup nearly identical to the Baer kit, for almost half the cost.

Yep, and for those of us that are impatient they're likely available same day or sitting right on the shelf at any of the big name auto parts stores! Price, availability, and numerous options are what make this setup so great in my opinion.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I'm interested. Whats the time frame? I'd like to have something bought/received within two months (sooner the better) if possible?

I was going to buy some 1g 3S/Vr4 calipers etc and do Cobra rotors etc for a similar price rebuilt caliper.

Don't really have a preference either way, as I don't have direct knowledge of either in real world track time, and both should be better than 2g calipers/rotors etc.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I'd like to have at least a few sets made within a few weeks.

If anyone here is a machinist, please LMK.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

How do these compare to Evo Brembos? They can be had for decent prices now.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Hmm, maybe this is the way to go. They don't look as good as VR4 or Evo brakes, but performance and cost most important at this point. Just bought my next turbo, should be here by Friday. :D

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I don't think they are as good as EVO brakes. Evo brakes are $185 each for fronts, as far as I can tell (rock auto). Would be pretty sweet to have 4 piston fixed calipers though.

My machinist is going to look over my CAD model tonight.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

What year cobra will this use? Any idea on price point yet?

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I'm not sure yet. The issue is that the RTM brackets are probably just plasma/laser cut steel and these will be CNC'd ally. I'm waiting to get an estimate from my machinist, i'm hoping they won't crazy expensive.

I'll be doing some light FEA analysis on these too :D

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Goodhart, read this article if you haven't already. I tried to include all the info about the difference between the calipers for different years and models
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/arti...brakes-1g.html

My only comment about the 4 piston calipers is that the 4 piston calipers will be wider on the outside, so there's more potential for wheel/spoke interference. Non-issue as long as your get the right offset wheels, but just something to keep in mind when going 4 piston. For Evo components, I don't own an Evo so I don't know but are their caliper/rotors/pads available to the point that you can just drive to your local Napa/Autozone and they'll have them all sitting on the shelf? That was a huge plus for me for the Cobra's. I'm sure the Evo's stop better, but the Cobra's had plenty of stopping power for me when I was trapping high 130's. For me it was the balance of performance, price, options, and immediate availability that led to my decision to use them.

And Steve I really liked how they look, I think they look nicer than VR-4 brakes. But that's all a matter of individual perspective I suppose :)

http://www.mitsustyle.com/forums/att...2&d=1246654239

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I actually have the early cobra caliper. Reason being, the piston diameters are about the same as DSM (~30mm i believe). I like keeping the brake pedal pretty stiff and have experience firsthand how your pedal ends up mushy (more travel for the same braking power) when you go bigger with caliper piston diameter and keep master cylinder bore the same.

I haven't investigated pad size but I believe these to be a bit bigger, and obviously the increase in braking torque and cooling capacity due to the bigger rotor. I can't imagine this setup won't be sufficient for even serious track use.

Although I realize looks and 'cool factor' are important to a lot of people.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

DSM 'big' brake pad:
http://www.hawkperformance.com/sites...?itok=G_vLFuuc

Mustang cobra:
http://www.hawkperformance.com/sites...?itok=jGdFf8tf

Evo 8:
http://www.hawkperformance.com/sites...?itok=R8x1-4BD

Based on caliper alone, I'm guessing evo 8 is the best - 4 piston and bigger pad.

Evo Rotor is 12.6" and Cobra is 13".

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

My concern is that the width (or height in the above pics) doesn't cover a lot of the square area of the Cobra rotors, even though it grabs the correct end (the outside) for proper leverage. I'm basically looking for the calipers that have the most pad surface area and use the Cobra rotors.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Yeah, that is the weird thing with them. However, that is how they are on the mustang from the factory so I can't imagine that there would be any issues with them being like that.

Performance wise, think about it this way: More of the 'meat' of the pad is concentrated at a larger radius from the hub centerpoint, and therefore will have a bigger impact on brake torque. the pad material near the center of the rotor isn't as effective. The cobra pad doesn't have any material that comes to the inside edge of the friction surface, but has a 'long' pad that covers a larger angle of the rotor and at a larger radius. I think this would give you pretty good braking torque.

down side: it looks weird. And the evo/etc pad probably lasts longer due to more overall surface area.

Let us know if you find something else!

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Pad thickness/volume also matters for heat dissipation and how long they actually last.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

That's true. The 'stang pad is thicker but the evo pad still wins the volume comparison.

Oh, one other factor to consider: when you go to the parts store and tell them you have a mustang cobra, you actually get respect from parts counter dudes. As opposed to the eye rolling response you get when you ask for mitsubishi parts :D

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Will Cobra brakes fit under 16" wheels?

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I'd be quite surprised.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

They don't with any calipers I've seen.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

If you're trying to keep things cheap, I think 17" OEM 2G GSX wheels go for pretty cheap. I got a set for $50 recently..

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

http://s30.postimg.org/fwidnvsz5/IMAG0022.jpg

Basically what the production version will look like. Machinist recommended increasing some radii so I had to change the design a hair to make it more manufacturable.

Also this one is about 25% thinner. Final piece will be made starting with 1" plate, this one is about 0.75" thick

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Any price estimates yet?

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Looks really good.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I wanted to hit $50 per set, but i'm not going to be able to.

If I can make them with 6061, they'll be $75 a set. Need to do some strength calculations and simulation before I make a decision.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Sounds good. Keep us posted.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Will the hardware specs be included? This is a good bit cheaper than the RTM brackets.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Well RTM includes brake lines, hardware, and the hub ring.

I figure people are capable of getting brake lines... I could include hardware and I'm looking into the hub ring situation. I guess there are 2 different sized hubs but should be a simple lathe operation on some aluminum tube to make those.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

In the article I wrote I included the specs of the hardware I used. That was of course with the RTM kit but should give you a pretty solid starting point. I even included where I got my brake lines from, which I shared with RTM so those are the same exact lines you get with their kit as well.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

I'm looking at reducing the bracket thickness... might be excessive and that will bring material cost down. Should have an update this weekend.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

http://s14.postimg.org/e7gxbaagx/IMAG0036.jpg

3D printed prototype is 0.8" thick

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

Go figure, 6061 doesn't like heat. Design change pending.

Re: Anyone interested in Cobra adapter brackets
 

If you want me to, I can check at work what a good AL would be for this application. Halon and I work with a zillion engineers, and I know of one who is a metallurgist & weld engineer as well.