Old Member with New Questions

[Jim Doak]

I sold my Mark 1.5 (kind of a 'tweener) a little over 1.5 years ago after 46K+ miles and lots of smiles. I'm rapidly approaching retirement and need a new project and am considering an FIA/USRRC build.

I bought my kit in 2000 and retrofitted power steering and Hydroboost brakes in 2003. (I think I may have been one of the first to install Hydroboost - bought a FOX Mustang kit from Hydratech - in a Roadster and I really liked the power steering and brake upgrades.)

Anyway, how hard is it to install power brakes in the current kit? Can the old FOX pedal box be used or is the Wilwood setup a necessity? Any advice to give?

Thanks.

Jim Doak

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hey Jim,
Welcome back into the game. The forum just sent me notification that you tried to send a PM but my mailbox is full (cleared now). I'm betting you were going to ask about this. Yes, the Fox and SN95 Mustang pedal boxes can be used. Whitby makes a conversion to use a Mustang booster and single master cylinder with the Wilwood pedal box as another option...personally I don't see the point or any advantage over a Mustang box since it doesn't retain the dual masters and balance bar but that's just one guy's opinion.

Jeff

[Jim Doak]

Jeff, you're correct. I had tried to PM you about my questions.

Thanks for the response.

[Joe Campbell]

Hey Jim,
I have one of the Whitby brake pedals for power brakes if you end up going that route, and their frame mod kit. I decided to install a power brake booster while I have the body off for repairs after my little accident, some of which I blame on the brake setup (but mostly on me being in a hurry). Also went with a Mustang pedal box for simplicity's sake, I had both sets of parts kicking around, and wanted to simplify as much as possible, ditching the hydraulic clutch setup as well.

The basic kit brakes were designed for use with a booster, though on a front-heavy Mustang. We'll see how they feel when I get back on the road but I may end up plumbing in a adjustable valve on the fronts so I can dial them back to match up better with the rears. Stay with manual if you go for the Wilwoods though.

I also installed an EPAS unit from epowersteering using a manual rack. I'll find out soon how well it does, but it's gotten great feedback from almost everyone so far.

[Jim Doak]

Joe, I'll pick your brain when I see you in June on our Utah Cobra cruise, although we won't be in a "Cobra". Hopefully this year will turn out better than last year's cruise and I won't need to have my car flat-bedded from Wyoming back to Utah. (Damn rocks and low-hanging oil pans.)