09-16-06 TMN Staff: There is no shortage of brake upgrades for the front of our Mustangs. There are unlimited choices in fact. But when it comes to the rear, this is less the case. Often at car shows we see people who have installed large 13” or 14” front rotors and significantly more powerful multi-piston calipers on the front, but have not changed out the stock rear brakes.

While this is common practice, the rules of physics suggest that you should equally raise the strength of your rear brakes to prevent an unbalanced system. While there is a brake force proportioning valve in the hydraulic system and ABS is there, having too much stopping power on the front of your car and not enough in the rear can cause some pretty strange handling characteristics in emergency maneuvers or hard driving.

Thus we always recommend that when upgrading your brakes, that you take it as a 4-wheel project. To help 2005 + owners, Steeda has designed and engineered a new 13" rear disc brake kit for 2005-07 Mustangs and new GT500.

This kit is really slick because it is an easy install. Best of all, it utilizes the factory caliper and brake pads share the same format. The wider, larger diameter vented rotors provide better cooling and are slotted to disperse heat and gas buildup reducing brake fade. The brackets are manufactured from aircraft grade aluminum for greater strength and lighter weight. When combined with Steeda's 14" front disc brake kit, the 13" rear brakes provide optimum braking under all conditions.

Because Steeda's kit retains the Ford factory caliper, the proper piston size for compatibility with the sensitive Mustang anti-lock brake system is maintained and sourcing of replacement brake pads and friction compounds is easy.

Steeda says the new kit has been developed utilizing the knowledge gained from their vast competition experience dating back to IMSA racing with 1993 and 95 Cobra R's . The new Steeda brake kit is made in America and is the lightest of its kind on the market resulting in less un-sprung weight and rotating mass.

Included are stainless steel braided brake hoses featuring factory brackets for easy O.E. type install. Steeda's kit at 13 inches in diameter also has better wheel fitment choices than competitive 14 inch kits. Retail pricing is about $499.

More information: www.steeda.com