i have a 79 1gen with a s5 motor and box, but i need beter brakes i have a s3 read end under the house ready to replace the drums so that part is easy but i'm not too sure aboult the frount i realy want to keep it mazda and oem parts is posible to make it easy to work on. i lot of people have been using s4/5 4pot brakes and redrilling the disks to match a s1 wheels my question how hard is this to do, i can get the parts for under a $100

 

I've found that simply replacing the pads with Hawk HP+ gives me more than enough braking for the street (assuming everything else is in tip top condition of course).

 

Lotta Machine work involved. Unless you really need superman brakes for the street and I cant see why, go with the Hawks HP+ . They kick ***!!!!!

 

Yeah, these guys are right. Upgrade to 4-wheel disc, get some Hawk pads, and do a good job bleeding your system and you'll be fine. If you still want to stop quicker, start dropping weight. I bet you can get out 100 pounds without too much effort, and that would have a significant effect on braking.

Also, practive your braking technique as there's much more to it then just pushing hard. Get on a long stretch and go about 40mph, pick a spot ahead of you, and do constant braking to that spot. If you missed, adjust and learn. Gradually increase your speed and the decrease the distance to your target. I've done this many times (usually after doing something to my braking system) and my braking is substantially better than it used to be.

Have fun

 

thats a realy good idea practicing breaking i have never thought of that before i'll have to give it a whirl..... oh yea and i agree with ummm whoever is right before me bout getting all disc and bleeding yer lines

-seth

 

Standard front brakes are fine, they pull my car up from 200km/hr+ without problems....a few times in a row at least

 

Tisk Tisk!
Of course you should practice braking. What good is it to practice accelerating, turning, shiftings and what not if you don't know how quick you can slow down before you enter a corner.... The people I do know that drive have a hard time with understanding the stopping powr of their cars, and they drive FC's with really nice brakes!