Brake upgrade

[skiver.]

The front discs need replacing so I thought while I was at it an all round upgrade wouldn't go amiss; nothing too OTT, but an improvement on the original equipment, specifically for road use.
I've tried the search facility but can find nothing recent so your advice on replacement discs and calipers gratefully received.

[N7GTX]

This is a recent one: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

And another: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[CHIMV8 500]

You don't need to go the expensive route

Get the secondhand Ford 888/887 calipers if you can find them as they are rare nowadays get them refurbed at BIGRED and put 284mm discs on

They stop you on a sixpence

Edited by CHIMV8 500 on Wednesday 8th November 19:21

[trev4]

I fitted Fiesta st 150 calipers and carriers which are a straight swop just needed a 1.5mm washer to center on disc which was 283 mm part no mtec 203, I fitted mintex m1144 pads all round, transformed the brake system.
The problem with the 888/887 is getting hold of the carriers.

[motul1974]

A good set of quality pads and disks should be more than enough for road use. I've got a set of Carbon Lorraine pads to go on and, a bit ott but, a full set of grooved Nitrac Cryo disks and braided hoses to go on after the refurb.
Just thought I'd making the best of the standard set up.

[CHIMV8 500]

trev4 said:

I fitted Fiesta st 150 calipers and carriers which are a straight swop just needed a 1.5mm washer to center on disc which was 283 mm part no mtec 203, I fitted mintex m1144 pads all round, transformed the brake system.
The problem with the 888/887 is getting hold of the carriers.

Agreed the set is now getting harder to get hold of,but it's the best brake upgrade for the money

[angus337]

I'm planning on ordering the Hispec kit from Hans linked above. So may have the 888/887 calipers and dics available to sell on in a few weeks.

[skiver.]

angus337 said:

I'm planning on ordering the Hispec kit from Hans linked above. So may have the 888/887 calipers and dics available to sell on in a few weeks.

Nick, please let me know when these become available.

[LongBaz]

Let me know when they are available for first dibs.
Barrie

Damn just beat me to it

Edited by LongBaz on Thursday 9th November 08:49

[skiver.]

If I am able to get the 888/887's for the front what would you suggest I do to the rears to balance the braking?

[ChimpOnGas]

The truth is BMW E38 Brembo's with Mk1 RS Focus 324mm discs is the ultimate 'Best Value' option

'Best Value' being the very best combination of price vs performance you can possibly achieve

Costs (examples only) ..........

Part: Cosworth 2 Wheel Drive Brembo 4pot 325mm Brake Caliper & Bracket kit
From: EBay - Caprisport Direct (oldphonebloke)
eBay item number: 221290558563
Cost: £325.00

Part: Genuine Brembo Brake Pads
From: http://www.carparts4less.co.uk
Part Number: 10111017A
Cost: £35.31

Part: Genuine Brembo Discs
From: http://www.apd.co.uk/
Part Number: 09.5486.50
Cost: £120.00

Part: Hubcentric 12mm wheel spacers & Studs (Front & Rear)
From: EBay - Mtec Online
Part Number: CRP130A55
Cost: £73.98

Total before fitting: £554.29

You will need 16" front wheels though, but I had these already so in the end the total cost of my conversion came in at £600, I've ended up with Brembo 4pot calipers, Brembo 325mm vented discs running Brembo pads for a proper OEM quality upgrade that delivers amazing braking performance.

If you fit this proper OEM quality brake upgrade you do not need fancy expensive track focused pads that in my experience always come with one of more of the following compromises:

• Heavy dusting

• Brake squeal

• Poor 'from cold' performance

• Reduced disc life

If you go with the Brembo E38 upgrade you can use proper OEM quality Brembo road pads that are low dust, work perfectly from cold, deliver no squeal and are not aggressive on the quality Brembo discs I use. I've just ended up with a truly superb OEM quality brake upgrade for £600.

That's £600 of true 'Best Value'.... as it genuinely delivers that ultimate combination of price vs performance I spoke of earlier!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[phillpot]

skiver. said:

what would you suggest I do to the rears to balance the braking?

Not a lot, there is a bias valve fitted so rears probably not working to anywhere near their capability anyway

[mk1fan]

CHIMV8 500 said:

trev4 said:

I fitted Fiesta st 150 calipers and carriers which are a straight swop just needed a 1.5mm washer to center on disc which was 283 mm part no mtec 203, I fitted mintex m1144 pads all round, transformed the brake system.
The problem with the 888/887 is getting hold of the carriers.

Agreed the set is now getting harder to get hold of,but it's the best brake upgrade for the money

The Fiesta ST 150 calipers are almost identical to 887/888, half the price, unlikely to need a refurb. Same size piston and discs.

Assuming the rest of the system is working / serviced then the ST set up is £120. OEM so low dust, cold performance, no squealing. Plus an increase in performance. Sorry CoG, I don't see the BMW set up being 5x better (ignoring the additional cost of new wheels and tyres) on the road.

[skiver.]

Top write-up once again CoG but I'm trying to keep the car looking as original as possible, apart from mods which will unobtrusively improve the driving experience. Although I could fit the 16" wheels with the BMW upgrade I could not use the 15" rims to return it to original without changing the brakes again to fit.
I'll see if I can source the 888/887's but if not I will go for the Fiesta set-up.
Thanks for all the info. chaps.

[carsy]

skiver. said:

If I am able to get the 888/887's for the front what would you suggest I do to the rears to balance the braking?

Nothing at all. With the 888/887 calipers, the standard rear brakes are perfect.

[mk1fan]

skiver. said:

Top write-up once again CoG but I'm trying to keep the car looking as original as possible, apart from mods which will unobtrusively improve the driving experience. Although I could fit the 16" wheels with the BMW upgrade I could not use the 15" rims to return it to original without changing the brakes again to fit.
I'll see if I can source the 888/887's but if not I will go for the Fiesta set-up.
Thanks for all the info. chaps.

No need to try and source the 887/888's just source the Fiesta ones. They are, for all intents and purposes, the same.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Fiesta-ST-150-fron...

Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 9th November 14:14

[skiver.]

LongBaz said:

Let me know when they are available for first dibs.
Barrie

Damn just beat me to it

Edited by LongBaz on Thursday 9th November 08:49

They're all yours Barrie, I've just bought some Fiesta ones.

[Yex 450]

CHIMV8 500 said:

You don't need to go the expensive route

Get the secondhand Ford 888/887 calipers if you can find them as they are rare nowadays get them refurbed at BIGRED and put 284mm discs on

They stop you on a sixpence

^^^^^^^^^^^^

This. They don't look big under my 17" front wheels but the certainly stop well enough

[Chimp871]

Pair on the bay now with bracket, not the cheapest and need a refurb. I did this conversion and was night and day difference, must let insurance company know if you upgrade. Paid around 70 off eBay, new seal kit from big red, cleaned and painted myself.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

[N7GTX]

skiver. said:

If I am able to get the 888/887's for the front what would you suggest I do to the rears to balance the braking?

I went for 300mm front discs from an ST170 with Mondeo calipers. They just about fit under 15" wheels but a 5mm wheel spacer makes them safer.
The original rear discs just looked tiny when looking side on so fitted the ST170 ones which are 280mm. I used Mondeo Mk3 estate calipers and there is a little bit of work to do to make them fit.

Just for info, the piston diameter in the ST150 caliper is 54mm. The Mondeo Mk3/Jag X-type is 57mm.