Better Brakes and adding power steering

[apexted]

After driving my MK4 for a few years now I am in the need of better brakes and power steering upgrade. I am currently running Wilwood brakes up front 11" I believe and Mustang rear calipers in back. The pedal feels soft and has a lot of movement. What would be a good upgrade so I can take to the track safely? I am also looking to upgrade to power steering any suggestions here? I am running a GEN 3 Coyote on E85 with 442 HP at the wheels. Any help would be appreciated. I also have a bunch of leftover parts from the build what is the best way to move these along?

Thanks for your help, Ted

[edwardb]

Your simplest power steering, assuming hydraulic, is going to the KRC Power Steering 66302125 Ford Boss 302 Coyote Hydraulic Power Steering Kit. I've used it on two Coyote builds and it's what Factory Five supplies if you option for power steering on a Coyote build. Not cheap, but extremely high quality and bolts right in. Has an integral tank, so easy to plumb with two lines to the rack. Which you'll have to change of course. Since you're tracking, would suggest a cooler in the low pressure return line.

[apexted]

Thanks for the information on the power steering. Where can I get the rack? I do not see it on the FF website just the manual rack. Would need cooler also.

[nuhale]

Foxbody mustang power rack. I used BBB 1010107 rack from rockauto. Many used similar rack from O’Reilys.

[apexted]

Will I need the steering rack extender with this rack from rock auto?

[edwardb]

Will I need the steering rack extender with this rack from rock auto?

Yes. Any standard Fox body rack (this and the units from a parts store) will need the rack extenders to have the proper front suspension geometry. The ones that Factory Five sells have them. Just because not listed on their parts page doesn't mean they aren't available. You would need to contact them. I haven't used one of the FF racks. There have some posts regarding their quality. But don't know how representative that is.

I've used a Derale Compact Fluid Cooler 13310 2 Rows, Copper/Aluminum, Black, -6 AN Male Threads Inlet/Outlet on my power steering builds.

[Avalanche325]

The pedal feels soft and has a lot of movement.

That says that you have a problem. Air, sloppy flex lines, etc.

I have Wilwoods all the way around and they are rock solid. I have hammered them on track days on hot Florida days, and never a bit of fade.
If they are the Wilwoods that FFR sells, I would add the rears. I would refresh the fronts. New pads and flex lines.

[Lidodrip]

That says that you have a problem. Air, sloppy flex lines, etc.

I have Wilwoods all the way around and they are rock solid. I have hammered them on track days on hot Florida days, and never a bit of fade.
If they are the Wilwoods that FFR sells, I would add the rears. I would refresh the fronts. New pads and flex lines.

I agree. I have hydroboost power brakes, but if I had Wilwoods up front, I would add Wilwoods to the rear and not add power brakes. Power brakes only reduce the effort needed to push the pedal. You still need to have a fully functional brake system that generates and maintains the correct amount of pressure in the MC/brake lines/calipers. Power brakes will not improve a soft pedal which indicates an issue with your brake system. I would try to pinpoint and correct the soft pedal issue before spending money on brake upgrades.

James

[CraigS]

I agree. I have hydroboost power brakes, but if I had Wilwoods up front, I would add Wilwoods to the rear and not add power brakes. Power brakes only reduce the effort needed to push the pedal. You still need to have a fully functional brake system that generates and maintains the correct amount of pressure in the MC/brake lines/calipers. Power brakes will not improve a soft pedal which indicates an issue with your brake system. I would try to pinpoint and correct the soft pedal issue before spending money on brake upgrades.

James
I agree. In general (due to the 53% rear weight vs a Mustang 55% front weight) FFRs need all the rear brake they can get. Figure out exactly what your Wilwood fronts are and get rears that are as close as you can. A call to Gordon Levy is probably the easiest way to do that.